Waeco CF-80 Query
Submitted: Sunday, Dec 13, 2015 at 09:00
ThreadID:
131114
Views:
3772
Replies:
5
FollowUps:
8
This Thread has been Archived
Member - Gary R M (VIC)
Greetings all, wondering if anyone can give me a bit of guidance in relation to my Waeco CF-80 fridge freezer I've got located in my camper trailer powered by bank of batteries.
I works fine when the batteries are connected to 240V AC and fine for a couple of days just running just off the batteries but the compressor stops and only the fan runs when the batteries voltage drops to 12.5V even though I've got the battery monitor on the fridge set to low which means it shouldn't cut out until around 10.4V.
I've determined that the voltage under load at the fridge is 0.75V less than at the battery bank but this should mean that the fridge is receiving 11.75V, still
well above the cut off amount when the monitor is set on low.
I'll contact Waeco to see what they reckon but would appreciate knowing if anyone else has had this issue and how it may be resolved.
Many thanks, Gary M.
Reply By: Gronk - Sunday, Dec 13, 2015 at 10:32
Sunday, Dec 13, 2015 at 10:32
Sometimes the low batt cutout isn't all that accurate....plus the starting current will knock the batt voltage down a lot further than the run voltage.
I have 3 x 120 a/h batts and my Waeco 110ltr upright will drop the batt voltage down approx 0.4V while running, but that figure is almost the same at the fridge AND at the batteries.
Your figure of 0.75V difference between fridge and batteries while running is a little high and size of cabling could also be a problem.
You need to
check the voltage at the fridge at time of startup to see if the voltage drop is actually dipping down a lot further than you may think.
AnswerID:
593754
Follow Up By: Allan B (Member, SunCoast) - Sunday, Dec 13, 2015 at 13:00
Sunday, Dec 13, 2015 at 13:00
Gary, I agree with Gronk.
The CF80 is rated at 7.5 Amps running current. It probably briefly draws double that at startup. So if you are measuring a running voltage droop of 0.75v then the startup droop could
well be 1.5v or more which may be going below the monitor trip point.
Maybe beef-up your cable size. Although it could also be that your batteries are getting a bit low in performance?
If using a digital voltmeter, it may not respond fast enough to get a sensible reading at startup.
FollowupID:
862073
Follow Up By: Member - Gary R M (VIC) - Sunday, Dec 13, 2015 at 15:12
Sunday, Dec 13, 2015 at 15:12
Thanks Gronk & Allan, yeah I was wondering about cable size and will
check the voltage drop at start-up and see how I go.
Thanks again, Gary M.
FollowupID:
862081
Follow Up By: Bonz (Vic) - Sunday, Dec 13, 2015 at 18:50
Sunday, Dec 13, 2015 at 18:50
I reckon the cable size needs to be upgraded too, fridges love bigger cables
FollowupID:
862085
Reply By: CSeaJay - Monday, Dec 14, 2015 at 10:43
Monday, Dec 14, 2015 at 10:43
Hi Gary
I also have the CF-80, my model is one of the first, but have (as yours should still have) a small selector switch close to the bottom of the control side of the fridge. It is a three way switch marked Hi Med Lo. This adjusts the cut-out voltage. You can select a lower cut-out here, which should solve your problem.
Also I upgraded my cable to reduce voltage drop. This helped. Note to add to other replies above, voltage from can only be measured if the line is under load.
Gary even after doing the above we only get two days (three max) of use from two 120AH batteries. Fact is these fridges suck power, specially when set on cold or used as freezer. As mentioned the power gulp at startup is a culprit, and unfortunately they cycle on-and-off quite frequently. We save quite a bit of power by switching the fridge off at night before bed, and restarting in the morning. The inside temp only drops three degres, but we saved probably 20+ startup power-sucks.
Hope this helps
CJ
AnswerID:
593780
Follow Up By: Member - Gary R M (VIC) - Monday, Dec 14, 2015 at 15:46
Monday, Dec 14, 2015 at 15:46
Thanks CJ, yeah got the battery monitor set on low. The fridge is currently at Opposite Lock in Wodonga who are one of our local Waeco Service agents, they had a look at the battery setup on my camper today and couldn't find any problems so they're checking out the fridge but I may just have to accept, as you suggest that these mothers do suck a heap of power.
Switching off the night is a good suggestion.
Cheers, Gary M.
FollowupID:
862117