Was getting ready to order an ARB cooler, but it occurred to me that I'd better check the 12v port in my Highlander's cargo area. As I feared, it does not work unless the car is running or the key is in the ACC position. That's not gonna work!
Those of you with ARBs, do your vehicles have power ports that stay on all the time?
John and Henrietta, Late 2016 T@B S Max in Western New York
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2024 Ford F150 Supercrew short bed.
I just bought my ARB and have taken it camping only once. I did have it plugged into the rear power port on the way to the campsite. I stopped for gas and turned off the vehicle. I can't recall if I had to manually turn the ARB back on at the gas station - or if the ARB turned itself back on. Check out the Whynter brand before buying an ARB. Saw this model at a campsite recently and thought it was very cool. Has a separate frig and freezer compartment. About $700 on Amazon.
2024 Ford F150 Supercrew short bed.
I ordered a 15' extension cord from ARB that I added a Zamp SAE plug on it so it will plug into my 2nd Zamp plug on the tongue box. I can run the extension cord out the window and plug it into the Zamp outlet. I also carry a 40' extension cord that I can plug into a 120V outlet for the few times I have electricity.
2021 T@B 320S Boondock “The T@B”
Towed by a white 2019 Ford F-150 4x4 Supercab, 3.5L V6 Ecoboost “The Truck”
2024 Ford F150 Supercrew short bed.
the ARB is so cheap on electricity, that it will work for at least 2 days on a small battery and can go up to 4 days on a new big amp battery, and still start the jeep.
TV 2005 jeep TJ unlimited
and/or 2005 Nissan X-Trail 4wd
Alaskan Malamuthe on board!
Les Escoumins and Petite-Riviere-St-Francois QC
TV 2005 jeep TJ unlimited
and/or 2005 Nissan X-Trail 4wd
Alaskan Malamuthe on board!
Les Escoumins and Petite-Riviere-St-Francois QC
I took some of the extra Reflectix insulation I (had left over from the project) used for insulating my T@B and available at Home depot, etc., cut it to size, stuffed some pieces down around the side of ARB. And as Rat kitty noted, make sure that the vents at the back and bottom portion of the ARB are left uncovered as otherwise the unit will not receive air flow for cooling and the unit will overheat.
I also keep my ARB in the bed of my pick-up, back in to the campsite and either plug it in to a 110 volt receptacle on the side of the trailer or in to the extra Zamp solar port I installed in the tub of the trailer. And depending on the night time temps when boondocking, I DO unplug the ARB at night to conserve energy and as noted, it is well insulated and the temperature stays within 2-3 degrees and have not had any food issues.
At season's end or when spring arrives, take an air compressor (air gun) and blow some high pressure air into the cooling vent fin area at the bottom/rear area of the ARB. You will be amazed at how much dust and grit collect from air flowing into that area!
Good suggestion on blowing out the cooling vent, Mike.
On my Grand Cherokee, I can use my 12v in the cargo area, either way. If I understand it, correctly, I can set the ARB to shut off if it uses too much power so it does not kill my TV battery?
To switch my 12v int eh cargo area, I simply need to change the fuse position, I believe. Right now I do not have it run when the TV is off. It would be nice to be able to let it run off of my TV battery when I stop at Walmart overnight, rather than pull out the cable to connect to the battery....especially when it is raining.
2021 T@b 320 Boondock "Mattie Ross" | 2021 T@b Nights: 239 | Total nights in a T@b 455 | 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L Overland | T@b owner since 2014
Condo A-Go-Go
2018 Casita Spirit Dlx (KONDO)
2017 Tacoma (AH GOGO)
S. UTAH