Dual Batteries
 

I'm looking to install a second battery somwhere in my X and was wondering if anyone else had done so.

We go camping a bit, so I'm looking at powering a fridge and some other bits and pieces. Admittedly, I haven't had too much of a poke around the back yet, but I was thinking about where the subwoofer goes as a potential location. There also seems to be a bit of space under the cargo area floor, but haven't pulled that apart yet to confirm.

I'd be getting an AGM battery, so it doesn't need to be vented and can be mounted on any side, which should open up some more options.

I'm looking to add a fridge as well for camping.
I think there's little point in adding a second battery.
What I'm wondering about, is whether to get 12v fridge or get an invertor and 120v fridge instead.
If going with an inverter, what brand / capacity?

Has anyone installed a fridge in their X5?? :D

I haven't installed a fridge or dual batteries but I do occasionally use a stripped down Coleman fridge/warmer to transport flat nosed beef [emoji6] across the border into Saudi Arabia, so if you just got the Coleman and used it normally then the only thing left is to carry a power brick emergency jump pack you should be golden without any issues.

Don't know if that would work for what you need but it's a thought.

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Do you have airbags or coil springs on rear suspension, so is there air compressor or just empty space under spare wheel?

EODguy
Thanks for the idea man!

No air compressor, lots of empty space!

Unless you just want one of those small coolers with a 12v cooling unit built in, I think a small propane fridge might be more along the lines of what you are looking for, unless you are only doing 1-night trips or something. I think you can buy a fridge similar to what comes in a camper trailer, but portable. Never looked at them myself but propane fridges are definitely out there in a variety of sizes, and will last weeks on a regular tank of propane. An electric fridge would on a second battery... I don't know, maybe one night? Depending on how big it is, and how hot it is where you are going.

The other thing to consider is that it if you don't vent the heat out of the car, it will turn your car into an oven. The heat you reject from the inside of the fridge has to go somewhere. In a trailer, this heat is rejected through vents on the outside of the trailer. But even if you just get a cooler with an electric refrigeration unit on the top, make sure to take it out of the car or it will heat the inside of the car up overnight.

Lastly, if you do go electric, make sure you get a deep cycle battery. It would be a very bad idea to power this from the car because you'll drain the battery quickly, and car batteries don't like getting drained.

Propane fridge sounds interesting, never heard of them!
Doesn't seem to be much choice in canada...
Any model suggestions?

There are a lot of residential-style propane fridges of varying sizes that are made for off-the-grid cabins where the only electricity is a generator, and may not be available for extended periods of time. That's probably what I would look for. I've never dealt with a residential-style unit though. There may be trailer-style units as well. Camper trailer fridges can work on 120vac, 12vdc (for a very short time) or propane, so there might be something based on a trailer fridge that is portable.

The overlanding trend has made 12v car fridges super reliable and cheap. They're also super efficient, so if you need to keep something frozen while the car is off, it won't drain your battery quickly. Added plus is you can attach a solar panel when camping.

I have a cheap "Alpicool" that has been working well for about 4 months now. I bring it inside the house and keep it running 24/7 and so far no issues.

I couldn't find any suitable propane fridges online in Canada.
I will look into 12v fridges. Solar panel sounds interesting!
Any recommendations on the solar panels? I'll check Amazon