Are we stuck with the Ford battery?

[MadMan4BamaNATL]

It's pretty expensive for what it is, but I was able to pick one of these up for dirt cheap when a local business was closing down. It works surprisingly well, with 18 hours of power, and takes up next to no room as it just attaches via magnets to the side of the fridge. I keep my ARB Zero fridge plugged into the accessory outlet on the daily, but switch to this battery when I need the fridge powered for any length of time when the vehicle isn't running.
ARB Fridge Power Pack

Sorry, but no way that thing is worth almost $500 for only 18hrs of power. On a sale in the $200 range, sure.

Any number of brands make a battery or solar generator as they're called, with a ton of useful ports for cheaper. Cool if you want an all ARB set up and I do like the small size factor, but I'd go with some other options that can be recharged using solar or the truck when running.

Also have my ARB twin compressor mounted under the hood. Have had it there for almost 2 years with wheeling maybe twice per month and so far so good. If under the hood cuts the life a little, it's understandable, but I do expect another 5-7 years before something goes wrong. I of course leave the truck running while airing up.

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[brkdncr]

If space is an issue companies like EcoFlow sell refrigerators with built in batteries that charge on ac/12v/solar.

https://www.ecoflow.com/us/glacier-portable-refrigerator

 

[RynoRanger]

There is the DV8 option to replace the little plastic ice chest

how hot does stuff in there get? lol be honest. (note: i live in phoenix sooo that would be extra).
Furthermore - any video/instruction on how you routed wiring back to that and the outgoing air hose and where you mounted the adapter?

 

[Bikeric]

how hot does stuff in there get? lol be honest. (note: i live in phoenix sooo that would be extra).
Furthermore - any video/instruction on how you routed wiring back to that and the outgoing air hose and where you mounted the adapter?

No idea how hot it gets in there, but don't store your Hershey bar in there if you're airing up tires. I don't have the muffler back there anymore either, so mine should be much cooler than a Bronco with muffler.
I didn't do an install video but I did take a few pictures. I used a 150A relay controlled by an Aux Switch to send 12V back to the compressor. The factory control switch I mounted on the passenger side rear. I would have had to splice the wires to reach the driver side, so I just decided against that. I ran (+) cables in to the cab from the engine bay. I used the factory (-) body ground in the rear. Used -4 JIC fittings and hydraulic hose to run from the compressor around to my bumper and used the ARB surface mount air chucks. Buttoned everything back up and I'm good to go. All I do is keep the Bronco running, flip my Aux Switch, flip my control switch, plug in air hose to bumper and fill away.

 

[UtahBrandon]

Sorry, but no way that thing is worth almost $500 for only 18hrs of power. On a sale in the $200 range, sure.

Any number of brands make a battery or solar generator as they're called, with a ton of useful ports for cheaper. Cool if you want an all ARB set up and I do like the small size factor, but I'd go with some other options that can be recharged using solar or the truck when running.

Also have my ARB twin compressor mounted under the hood. Have had it there for almost 2 years with wheeling maybe twice per month and so far so good. If under the hood cuts the life a little, it's understandable, but I do expect another 5-7 years before something goes wrong. I of course leave the truck running while airing up.

Well, yeah, that's why I led with the fact that it's expensive but I found one for cheap. I think it was around $150. I needed a cable and called ARB support, so they sent me a replacement cable that just so happened to come in a box with another full battery, so now I'm running two of them which is awesome. ARB support was awesome. I also have a Bluetti (and solar) but that goes in the RTT tent with me to power everything non-fridge.

 

[RynoRanger]

I didn't do an install video but I did take a few pictures. I used a 150A relay controlled by an Aux Switch to send 12V back to the compressor.....

That's quite the project to run all that. Why such a large amperage relay?

 

[gbub]

It's pretty expensive for what it is, but I was able to pick one of these up for dirt cheap when a local business was closing down. It works surprisingly well, with 18 hours of power, and takes up next to no room as it just attaches via magnets to the side of the fridge. I keep my ARB Zero fridge plugged into the accessory outlet on the daily, but switch to this battery when I need the fridge powered for any length of time when the vehicle isn't running.
ARB Fridge Power Pack

Wow, that is about what I paid for mt ARB refrigerator, but that was back in the 80s. The problem with that set up is I would also have to figure out a way to charge that battery because the power port will be used for the refrigerator. It is a great idea for time when you need the refrigerator away from the vehicle.

 

[gbub]

There is the DV8 option to replace the little plastic ice chest below the rear floor and install a basket that mounts the ARB twin compressor. You can then run the wires up and around to mount somewhere on the interior and run air lines to the exterior. You never need to lift the lid to have a compressor available. It could allow you to utilize the room under the hood for a second battery.

I have considered doing that but I had already planned to use that space for other storage. I also have heard of some real issues installing the compressor in that area. I have heard it doesn't fit in there very well. I have actually considered mounting a compressor under the vehicle, inside the frame near the passenger foot well area. The compressor is supposed to be water proof and should be protected there. However, that is something I should open for discussion in a new thread.

 

[Bikeric]

That's quite the project to run all that. Why such a large amperage relay?

ARB claims max amperage of 68.6A, so i wanted a buffer above that. I would have purchased a 100A relay but I was gifted the 150A for Free.

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