Running 12volt fridge
Submitted: Monday, Jan 30, 2006 at 17:33
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emgirl
I have a jayco dove and im selling my 4x4 to bye another and dont want to wire the old one up for twin batterys to run the frigde in the van but im going on a 6hr
trip son and dont know if i can run the fridge straight off the single batt with just leads back to the van can any one help me
Reply By: 4145derek - Monday, Jan 30, 2006 at 18:17
Monday, Jan 30, 2006 at 18:17
Hi there emgirl
I need more info. You can't answer this question without knowing more. Your food will spoil and the Beer will be warm.
What fridge ?
3 way Electrolux ?
What is the vans battery capacity ?
Is the battery in good condition and will it be fully charged ?
Is the trip 6 hours with stops ?
When you get there can you charge the battery for the trip
home ?
If all is as I assume you will totaly kill the battery, shorten it's life and have warm beer.
Give me a ring if you like. 0404 097 627
Derek
AnswerID:
151865
Follow Up By: emgirl - Monday, Jan 30, 2006 at 18:36
Monday, Jan 30, 2006 at 18:36
Hi Derek
it is a 3 way Electrolux old but recond. the vans battery is a 100AH trojan new. there mite be one stop on the way and im staying at a powerd site so charging the batt when i get there will not be a problem
i need to know if i need to run a set of leads from the cars batt to the vans batt to help so as i dont damage the vans batt as i dont have the twin system set up in the car
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Follow Up By: 4145derek - Monday, Jan 30, 2006 at 18:46
Monday, Jan 30, 2006 at 18:46
Thats good info.
My advice is to charge the battery and get the fridge nice and cold before you leave on 240v and you won't have a problem. Topping up on 240v 1/2 way is a good idea.
No need for extra wire etc. The Trojan 100ah is a very good battery and the fridge will draw 8 to 10 amps continuous as they are not thermostat controlled.
Enjoy your trip.
Regards Derek from ABR
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405447
Follow Up By: 4145derek - Monday, Jan 30, 2006 at 18:47
Monday, Jan 30, 2006 at 18:47
When you need that new system in the new 4wd give me a ring.
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Reply By: Mike DiD - Monday, Jan 30, 2006 at 18:53
Monday, Jan 30, 2006 at 18:53
"so if i run say 16amp leads fused from the car batt to van batt it should all be good"
That depends on what you mean by "16amp leads".
If you mean leads with "16 amps" printed n them you will be seriously disappointed - all it means is that the insulation won't melt if you run 16 amps through them.
Assume there is 8 metres from Main Battery to CT Fridge (or Battery) so you will have 16 metres of wire (supply and earth). If it is 8Ga (4mm diameter of copper, rating=56amps) then you will have 16 x 0.0025 ohms = 0.04 ohms. Assume an additional 0.02 ohms across connectors and fuses. Total 0.06 ohms
So at 10 amps you will have a voltage drop of 0.6 volt between Main Battery and CT Fridge (or Battery). If your Alternator can maintain 14.2 volts at the Main Battery, then you will have 13.6 at the CT - enough to maintain charge or slowly charge any battery.
Mike
AnswerID:
151879
Follow Up By: emgirl - Monday, Jan 30, 2006 at 19:07
Monday, Jan 30, 2006 at 19:07
Thanks Mike
took a bit to get my head around that one but thats good you can never lern to much
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