Waeco Voltage Cut Out

Thanks Peter. The CF110 doesn't have a switch to select different voltage settings like some other Waeco models have.

10.4 volts is a bit low so I might hunt around for a cut out device I can add to the fridge wire.

Topend

hi there are you guys talking about your main battery or a deap cycle because inm thinking of buying a 110 as aposed to an engel but battery draw is the think i dont no about any suggestions

G'day Symes,,
I understand the battery draw is about 3 amp per hour, depending on fridge setting.
From a test run it did 24 hours, on my AGM 120 amp and 12 hours later the battery reading was 12.53 .

The beauty of these batteries is that it takes about 2/3 hours for them to recharge throught the alternator.

Only had limited use of waeco so far burt am off to Ballina for a week tomorrow, so will have more of an idea of how it goes , though it will mainly be on mains power.

Pedro

thanks pete looks like i will have to get a bigger battery as i only have 75 deep cycle. although i do have a honda jenny so i could run it off mains i suppose

Thanks Peter. That's a great help. I will contact them to see if this can be done in Darwin.

Cheers,
Topend

Hi Brett,

Is it enough to prevent premature failure of a battery? Is it enough to start a vehicle if you only have a single battery? I don't know so I would be interested to hear.

I gather there is a relationship between battery voltage and the state of discharge. eg. At 50% discharge, how many volts would the battery show whilst under load/not under load.

At the end of the day I want to know how far I can run a battery down (measuring volts) without causing premature damage.

Cheers,
Topend.

My own thoughts are, when the voltage cutout is set at 10.4v it is way too low for the service life of the battery.. don't wory about the fridge the battery is the item you have to look after as it is the item that fails.

If the fridge often goes down to 10.4v then the battery is too low in Amp hours to sustain the fridge and the battery will die an early death due to being discharged well below 50%...

When a fully charged battery is running my fridge it is generally using around O.2v

Check out some "disconnect specifications" of solar controllers, generally they "disconnect" the fridge from the battery system at ~11.7 Volts, now ask yourself ... Why as high as 11.7 v ....IF 10.4v is safe

the answer is also simple:

# 10.4 volt is not safe on a regular basis!

# The solar controller is there only to protect the battery system ..

# Not to allow the fridge to run longer and damage the battery system!!!

No it wouldn't have enough power left to start a car, ideally 10.4 is probably a bit low and if taken that low regularly it will affect the life of the battery,once or twice won't hurt it, but the main thing is to get a charge back into them as quick as possible, the longer left standing at a low voltage the more damage is being done.

Agree with Mainey, 10.4 volts is way too low.

11.75 or 70% discharged is as low as you should go and this, only occasionally.

State of Charge 12 Volt battery
100% 12.7
90% 12.5
80% 12.42
70% 12.32
60% 12.20
50% 12.06
40% 11.9
30% 11.75
20% 11.58
10% 11.31
0 10.5

Thanks to everyone for their input. I have a volt meter at the fridge plug so until I get the fridge adjusted I will start the car before the battery drops below 12.2 volts.

I will be getting a 125w BP solar panel before the next big trip.

Topend

Topend,
you say you have decided on a BP solar panel, and I am not saying anything at all against them as I use a Solarex panel, which is basicly the same thing, however I'm impressed with the Unisolar panels, and ONLY because of their ability to work in shaded area's, eg; under trees etc.
I have never used one myself, only ever seen the tests done at camping shows in comparison to the usual panels, and if the comparisons are true and honest then they may be worth a look at for comparison purposes.
They do look a bit flimsy compared to BP panels in the actual sheeting material but they would have be made to an accepted standard.

Mainey ,i just got a 64watt unisolar ,,,, flimsy ,,,no effen way ,,,, but by same token is larger than same wattage bp/solarex ,, will be feild testing this w/end.

TheUndertaker, I accept the product is of good quality as there are no real problems you hear about, and yes my word 'flimsy' may have been incorrect, as I believe the panel surface may be more 'flexible' than some other panels, I don't believe this is a fault. As I posted, I'm impressed with the Unisolar panel.

Yes, we do need more actual 'testing' of various consumer products, and actual in-use is an excellent method, as in a 'factory test' situation some effects are not as practical as in a real life situation and the figures quoted by manufacturers are at times suspect.

You are right if using the standard power outlet. I have fitted a dedicated fridge wire and the voltage drop is about 0.1v.

Topend