Generators and car fridges
Submitted: Wednesday, Mar 24, 2004 at 14:13
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Member - Foxer
Have been looking at generators to run our fridge when away. Was talking to a salesman and he said to be careful what gennie we get as some are not compatable with fridges, warranty ect. also to look at one with an inverter? Could anyone shed some light on this. Many thanks in advance
Foxer
Reply By: Peter - Wednesday, Mar 24, 2004 at 14:20
Wednesday, Mar 24, 2004 at 14:20
If the fridge is a 12v one such as a Waeco or Engel, you will be running the generator to charge the car battery (or second battery) so there is no problem with using a cheaper generator (such as the $195 Bunnings special). If you were runnng the fridge directly on 240v then a Honda Eu10i which has a built in inverter will give good quality 240v.
Peter
AnswerID:
51759
Reply By: Russell [Pajero] - Wednesday, Mar 24, 2004 at 20:44
Wednesday, Mar 24, 2004 at 20:44
They maybe talking about running a 12v fridge off the 12v outlet of the generator. Some generators state in their manuals that the 12v (14v) at 8amps is for charging batteries only and does not supply 12v constant (regulated). Its a 14v 8amp charging point just like a car alternator. This I believe is not suitable to run a fridge off directly for any extended period.
Russell
Any alternate opinions ? (need I ask!!!)
AnswerID:
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Follow Up By: Member - Foxer - Wednesday, Mar 24, 2004 at 20:55
Wednesday, Mar 24, 2004 at 20:55
Peter and Russell
Thanks for your thoughts. I think what the fellow was on about was the cheaper gennie would not deliver a constant 240 volts but the better ones with the inverter would, not sure how this works. Maybe could hook second battery up to gennie and charge when the gennie is running? But if its charging at 14v8amp would this affect the fridge if its connected at the same time?? Hope this makes sense
Foxer
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Reply By: ianmc - Wednesday, Mar 24, 2004 at 21:38
Wednesday, Mar 24, 2004 at 21:38
Most frig manufacturers seem to recommend running the frig directly off a battery.
This is OK too when on the road & the alternator working but its a NO NO it seems to run straight off the genny at 12v. Maybe its pushing out more amps than the frig can use!
AnswerID:
51848
Reply By: Member - Macca (Perth) - Wednesday, Mar 24, 2004 at 22:07
Wednesday, Mar 24, 2004 at 22:07
Foxer
I'm not in nay way technically minded, all I can tell you is I regularly run my 39lt engel hooked up to 240 from the el cheapo Repco bought "Hurricane" 850 2 stroke genny. Not a drama.
Similarly plug the 240 straight into the Toshiba lappy to watch a few DVD's while having a few ales and pigging out on crabs or whatever is on the menu.
Macca
AnswerID:
51855
Reply By: Member - Bob - Thursday, Mar 25, 2004 at 10:20
Thursday, Mar 25, 2004 at 10:20
It seems like massive overkill to run a 36Watt appliance with a generator rated at several hundred watts. If you were running a domestic fridge or large freezer OK, but a car fridge? These are designed to run for days on a car battery which can be recharged with the cars alternator, or a solar panel if you aren't driving anywhere.
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51902
Follow Up By: Member - Foxer - Thursday, Mar 25, 2004 at 21:30
Thursday, Mar 25, 2004 at 21:30
Hi Bob
We are looking at being in one spot for two to three weeks. No power so was looking at options to run fridge rather than the battery in our car. We have an Engel and it will run ok for a day or so on the battery but we need to be able to run the fridge for some time without batteries as we will be camping on river banks lake banks and returning to car every 3 or 4 days. Will take the fridge in the boat and run gennie at night and when we stop during the day. Thanks for your thoughts
Foxer
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