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Dex
Dodge Dakota
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10/16/2004
22:30:13
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 Subject: Microwaves/ Refrigerators and Dakotas
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I'm planning a trip from Georgia to Alaska for next summmer. I'm thinking about getting the following for portable refrigerator, portable microwave and portable coffee maker for use on the trip.
I have a 2000 Quad Cab 4X4 set up for towing so I have the room.
Any ideas how I can safely install these?
I'm concerned about screwing up the electrical system.
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.boB
Dodge Dakota
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10/16/2004
22:58:09
| RE: Microwaves/ Refrigerators and Dakotas
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Run a heavy cable from the battery to a circuit 30A circuit breaker, and to the bed. Install a heavy duty plug, and you're all set. Easy as pie. Will work wether the key is in or not. I ran a circuit just like that in my '95 Ram, and it worked great when we went camping and traveling. You just have to remember to unplug the fridge when you park for the night.
If you want to get really fancy, install a second battery - deep cycle marine - and a battery isolater. Then you can leave the fridge plugged in all night, and still start the truck in the AM.
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SR
Dodge Dakota
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10/17/2004
00:02:03
| RE: Microwaves/ Refrigerators and Dakotas
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Dex,
First of all, are the fridge and microwave you are thinking of using AC or DC powered? If they are AC, you'll need an inverter to power them from your battery, and quite a large inverter at that to power the microwave. In this case, the inverter would be wired directly to the battery.
If I understand what you are asking, you basically want to install some of the convenience-type systems found in RVs in your truck. In that case, take a look at RV stuff, and post your questions on one of the following two Rv forums:
http://www.rv-coach.com/current_category.181/forum_list.html
http://www.rvusa.com/forum/main/forum.asp?FORUM_ID=7&sortfield=lastpost&sortorder=0&whichpage=1
www.campingworld.com is a good source of RV equipment online.
If you want creature comforts for such a long trip, you might want to really consider bringing some kind of camping trailer with you. Another option, if you only want intermittent AC power, would be to consider bringing a small generator with you.
If you are thinking about using DC-powered appliances, I'd make sure that you truly understand their limitations before you buy.
I'm writing this from Anchorage, AK, and have done the trip your are planning--you will have an adventure of a lifetime. However, be advised that campsites along the highway are not all that prevalent, and not all have shore power connections. Depending on the time of year, the bugs can be really nasty the further north and inland you go.
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Dex
Dodge Dakota
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10/17/2004
08:57:18
| RE: Microwaves/ Refrigerators and Dakotas
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SR
Thanks for the advice. I haven't planned the actual route yet. I should be out of work by next year and I plan it for the warmest of times.
I've seen DC powered refrigerators but, the microwaves need the inverter.
Is there a way of using the 7 pin hook up at the back of the truck to plug in the refrigerator or microwave?
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RadioMan
Dodge Dakota
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10/17/2004
09:03:07
|  RE: Microwaves/ Refrigerators and Dakotas
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Dex, you said in your thread, "set up for towing".
Are you planning on towing some sort of travel
trailor? If you are, does it have all the goodies
installed, like gas/elect refrig, battery?
The only thing I'd buy for your trip IF you're
pulling a travel trailor is a generator and use
that only of you're not camping over night
without electric power to re-charge your RV's
battery and run the coffee maker and microwave.
Make sure it's large enough to run at least one
of the larger amp draw items. Look at the info
plates of the units you want to run and note the
watt or amp draw. Pick out a generator that is
larger.
Have a fun trip! Sounds like it will be.
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SR
Dodge Dakota
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10/17/2004
12:44:40
| RE: Microwaves/ Refrigerators and Dakotas
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Dex,
One thing to watch out for with DC-powered refrigerators is that many do not have any kind of thermostat--they're either turned on or off, and it's a crapshoot what temperature you'll get when they're on. To answer your question, I'm sure you could wire up a plug to power a DC fridge from the 7 pin (so what if the fridge only works with your left turn signal ), but not a large inverter, as these are typically supplied with battery-cable-sized wire.
Depending on where you want to go on your trip up, be advised that a few campgrounds on your route (primarily on national or provincial parks) require that you have a hard-side camper/RV (meaning no tents or soft-sided popup trailers), due to bear problems.
This is a kind of trip you'll want to plan carefully for. You're probably looking at at least 5000 miles and 3-4 weeks--each way. Things are expensive in Canada, and once you pass Edmonton, you loose a lot of the conveniences of home. The little towns you'll be passing through just don't have WalMarts, Costco, a dozen gas stations, 15 fast food restaurants, and a handful of chain motels. In other words, if you didn't bring it with you, you'll have to wait days to get it delivered, or wait until you hit Anchorage (which only has about 250,000 inhabitants) to get/replace something.
As a fellow QC owner, think carefully about what you are bringing, as there is only a finite amount of space in a 5.5 foot bed. If you're a fisherman, you'll definitely want to bring your gear (and maybe a small boat if you have one), in addition to your other camping and road supplies. Don't worry much about the cool temperatures if you come during the summer, as the prolonged daylight up here makes it surprisingly warm. On that topic, don't plan your trip outside of mid-June to late-August, as many of the campsites will be closed.
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Dex
Dodge Dakota
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10/17/2004
18:58:33
| RE: Microwaves/ Refrigerators and Dakotas
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SR
Again, thanks for the info. I'm just begining my planning. Time should not be a problem. I'm hoping to be retired by next summer.
You got me thinking I might need more than a tent.
So I'm going to take a look at a Aliner or something similar.
http://www.aliner.com/
The 2000 QC 4x4 I have is a 3.9l
I'm looking forward to not finding a WalMart where ever I go. I drove across the USA in the early 70s and it is difficult to remember that there wasn't a Motel 6, fast food joint or whatever whereever you went. No it is all the same - one big shopping mall!
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GraphiteDak
GenIII
10/17/2004
21:13:20
| RE: Microwaves/ Refrigerators and Dakotas
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Holy crap. A old Microwave oven would pull 650 Watts minimum. Newer ones are 1000+.
You would need a LARGE inverter, not one found in Wally World or the auto stores. It would need to go directly to a battery and preferably NOT the one that starts your truck.
As for that 7 pin trailer plug. I wouldn't run anything through that except for a few lights. Again they will drain the trucks battery.
If you have a trailer best bet is to install a LARGE DEEP-CYCLE battery in the trailer and charge it at home with a charger. You could rig it to charge off of the 7-pin plug but even that would probably be too much for that circuit.
I think a gas powered stove would be best bet for camping. They are cheap and you can cook anything on a skillet or pan with them.
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SR
Dodge Dakota
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10/18/2004
02:07:40
| RE: Microwaves/ Refrigerators and Dakotas
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Dex,
I've seen the Aliner. Here are a couple of other options you might want to consider:
Six Pack truck camper http://www.six-pac.com/pdf/t-100s_data_sheet.pdf
T@B trailer. www.tab-rv.com
Unfortunately, none of these have space for an inside toilet or shower, but otherwise should be good for a trip like you are considering.
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Dan M
Dodge Dakota
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10/18/2004
06:56:07
| RE: Microwaves/ Refrigerators and Dakotas
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I would suggest you get a battery charger and another battery. Pepboys (at least here in atlanta GA) has a 1200 watt inverter for sale 99.99.
They also have small refrigerators on sale, not sure of size, power requirements or price. I just remember seeing them on display. And you can get very small microwaves, all depends on what you are going to cook.
You can also check northern tools.
On a side note, some places rent those little pop-up pull behind trailers. that might be an option as well.
- Dan M.
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FloriDak
Dodge Dakota
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10/18/2004
14:35:26
| RE: Microwaves/ Refrigerators and Dakotas
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Dex,
I have a 2000 watt power inverter installed in my Dakota and it works pretty good. Only thing is it puts a big hurtin' on the alternator and battery when trying to run anything much over 1000 watts for any length of time.
I've got a regular deep cycle marine battery in the Dak now. Between the Florida heat and the big electrical load when running the inverter, it's a bit too much for the battery and the terminals are getting pretty coroded.
I'm thinking of putting my Optima deep cycle battery back in since it seems to work a lot better. It has less reserve capacity, but it doesn't corrode the terminals, and handles big amperage loads extremely well... pretty impressive battery. I highly recommend an Optima deep cycle if you're thinking of a deep cycle to replace the regular starting battery.
Important thing to remember when installing an inverter is using a heavy enough gauge wire from the battery to the inverter. If the wire is too thin, the inverter won't work on larger appliances.
www.partsexpress.com and www.cardomain.com are both good resources for the right gauge wire to use and how to wire up high amperage devices. They sell parts to wire up car stereo amplifiers, but power inverters are wired the same exact way. U can also buy the wires and fuses there too
Anyways, if you don't draw much more than 1000 watts or so the electrical system should be in pretty good shape. U might also want to invest in an Optima deep cycle too. They can handle the Georgia heat and have the CCA's for a northern climate too.
Now if you're planning on camping for awhile, a small generator would be best to save the wear on the truck electrical system... easier on gas too.
It took a few months of messing around to figure this stuff out and there's not too much info out there on this topic, so hopefully this will help save you some time deciding what is best for the trip
1997 Dakota extended cab
318v8 4x4
K&N filter
dual exhaust
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SR
Dodge Dakota
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10/18/2004
15:24:32
| RE: Microwaves/ Refrigerators and Dakotas
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Floridak,
Do you have any problems with the inverter causing radio noise or any other kind of interference?
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Kowalski
GenIII
10/18/2004
15:40:17
| RE: Microwaves/ Refrigerators and Dakotas
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Here's some 7 pin basics to help you out. Terminal #4 is to power a deep cycle battery in a camper; that is what it is designed for so no problem there. Top left as you look at it at the truck, black 10 gauge wire on the camper pigtail. You'd need to use it with terminal # 1 as the ground, a white 10 gauge wire on the camper pigtail, bottom right as you loook at the truck connection. But look into how much current the fridge will draw before deciding you can do that. It might be enough, but as others have said, you want an extra battery and isolater if you want to use this when truck isn't running. Terminal #7 (middle) is a lighter 14 gauge wire for an auxillary circuit, also can be grounded through terminal #1. The rest are lights and brake.
Lead, follow, or get out of the way
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GraphiteDak
GenIII
10/18/2004
23:42:29
| RE: Microwaves/ Refrigerators and Dakotas
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Kowalski, do you know what the amp rating is on that "7 pin?
I wouldn't mind hooking up some lights and stuff to my ATV trailer.
Funny thing is right now I have a bad circuit in my Dak. The trailer running lights get no power from the plug, yet the lights on the truck work fine. I looked under the hood and found no seperate fuse. I read somewhere about the wires getting damaged easily under the truck.
Maybe someone knows where there is a hidden fuse, fueable link etc. I never looked since the night I saw they weren't working. I used my test light to find that constant 12V (pin "7) and jumpered it over to the running lights pin. After I used my test light I saw a diagram right on the plug that tells you what pin is what. :-P
Be careful buying cheap inverters. When you buy a 400 watt, it says in smaller print "400 watt peak/surge etc, 200 watt continuous", etc.
1200 watts for $99 would be dist cheap. I'd be reading that box closely and looking at the wire terminals. My 200-300 watt ones have pretty good size terminals to go to the battery.
While 12 to 14 gauge on the 21o VAC side will operate the microwave, you will probably need 8 gauge or larger on the 12VDC side.
And I agree about the marine battery and a isolator. It is a must. Nothing worse then having a dead battery when it's time to go home.
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FloriDak
Dodge Dakota
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10/19/2004
11:21:44
| RE: Microwaves/ Refrigerators and Dakotas
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SR,
Nope, haven't had any problems with the inverter causing radio noise or any other interference. As long as you run the power wires away from speaker wires you should be in pretty good shape.
I just ended up running a positive wire directly from the battery, through the firewall, under the door jam, and into the back seat. The negative wire is grounded to the driver seat bolt.
www.crutchfield.com has a really good installation guide on how to install audio amplifiers so they will be noise free... same thing applies with inverters
Here's a link that will take you into the how-to section at crutchfield.
http://www.crutchfieldadvisor.com/learningcenter/S-QivuJHMWCMt/car/
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JFH
GenII
10/19/2004
18:15:22
| RE: Microwaves/ Refrigerators and Dakotas
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I used to have a mini fride in the bed of my truck, get the right inverter and you'll have no problems. Definatly great for tailgateing!
http://www.cardomain.com/memberpage/546400
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Dak
Dodge Dakota
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10/19/2004
18:54:03
| RE: Microwaves/ Refrigerators and Dakotas
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kota
Dodge Dakota
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10/19/2004
19:26:31
| RE: Microwaves/ Refrigerators and Dakotas
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Kowalski
GenIII
10/20/2004
17:20:44
| RE: Microwaves/ Refrigerators and Dakotas
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Shawn - Not sure of amperage rating, but from my info 14 gauge wiring is recomended for that circuit, the same as the circuit you are having trouble with. The terminal you are having trouble with should be #3, top right on the truck socket, possibly powered by a green wire. I'd look underneath near the back of your truck, maybe damaged 4 wheeling ? You should be able to switch them if you want to.
Lead, follow, or get out of the way
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