battery saver

Submitted: Friday, Mar 10, 2006 at 09:46
ThreadID: 31609 Views:3811 Replies:8 FollowUps:9
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I am looking for the source of a device that plugs onto the cig lighter then into my Waeco fridge overnight BUT it cuts off the drain on the battery before the critical stage. The fridge stays on longer and you can start your vehicle next day. Anyone know where I can get one.
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Reply By: Shaker - Friday, Mar 10, 2006 at 09:49

Friday, Mar 10, 2006 at 09:49
K-Mart .... made by Projecta
AnswerID: 159666

Reply By: Gramps (NSW) - Friday, Mar 10, 2006 at 10:09

Friday, Mar 10, 2006 at 10:09
Does'nt your Waeco have a High-Med-Low cutout switch near the power inputs ?
AnswerID: 159669

Follow Up By: Mr Fawlty - Friday, Mar 10, 2006 at 10:37

Friday, Mar 10, 2006 at 10:37
Gramps, Mine has this function... because I'm a senior with obvious mental problems I don't know how to use the switch....Please explain?
I have tried using the instructions but they prattle on about hard wiring etc...
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FollowupID: 414297

Follow Up By: Gramps (NSW) - Friday, Mar 10, 2006 at 10:55

Friday, Mar 10, 2006 at 10:55
Mr Fawlty,

We all have those 'senior moments' :))))

Bearing in mind this is from the non-techo of all non-techos.

As I understand it, my CF40 has the option of cutting out at 10.4, 11 and 12 volts (Low, Med and High respectively) depending on the setting of the slide switch above the On/Off Emergency switch. Once it has cut out at the selected voltage, it will not cut back in until the power supplied is 11.2, 12 or 12.9 volts respectively.

Being a renowned fence sitter, I opted for the medium setting but I do run a dual battery system in the vehicle. I've left it running for at least three days without starting the vehicle before the fridge cut out.

If you're not running a dual battery system I'd suggest you set it on the High position to be safe.

I'm happy to learn from others with more experience in this area so don't be afraid to correct me If I'm wrong with any of this, please.
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FollowupID: 414303

Follow Up By: Gramps (NSW) - Friday, Mar 10, 2006 at 11:44

Friday, Mar 10, 2006 at 11:44
Just re-read my post and can see where it could be misconstrued (big word lol ).

The line "Bearing in mind this is from the non-techo of all non-techos" refers to me, me alone and does not refer to any other person living or dead etc etc etc.

Regards
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FollowupID: 414310

Follow Up By: V8troopie - Friday, Mar 10, 2006 at 12:34

Friday, Mar 10, 2006 at 12:34
Gramps, if it was my fridge I would use the high setting. Simply because I do not like to discharge my batteries too deeply.
Others may differ but that is my (electronic techo) opinion on this.
Klaus
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FollowupID: 414324

Follow Up By: Gramps (NSW) - Friday, Mar 10, 2006 at 12:44

Friday, Mar 10, 2006 at 12:44
Thanks Klaus.

Always happy to take advice from people who know what they're talking about. I'll change mine and see how it goes.

Regards
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FollowupID: 414326

Follow Up By: Mike Harding - Saturday, Mar 11, 2006 at 08:00

Saturday, Mar 11, 2006 at 08:00
I don't own a Waeco so can't check their handbook but I would suggest the following:

Single battery and camped by yourself - 12V setting
Single battery camped with someone who owns jump leads - 11V setting
Dual battery - either 11V or 10V4.

10V4 is the _very_ lowest you should discharge a battery to. I would probably select 11V unless I had some really important stuff in the fridge (decent wine etc :) or were using it as a freezer and would prefer to empty the battery before loosing the fridge.

The less you discharge a battery each time the longer their lifespan.

Hmmmm does this mean if you never discharge it, it will last for ever? :)

Mike Harding
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FollowupID: 414502

Follow Up By: Sand Man (SA) - Saturday, Mar 11, 2006 at 11:54

Saturday, Mar 11, 2006 at 11:54
Mostly agree with MIke's comments.

Personally, I wouldn't go below the 11 volt setting.

On a 12 volt battery, 10.5 is dead flat and you would soon ruin the battery.

11 is better, but still a bit low.

Shaker has the better suggestion, use the Projecta "Sure Start" Over Discharge Protector.
The cut out voltage is 11.6 volts, or about 25% of remaining battery capacity and that's about as low as you should go.
Bill


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FollowupID: 414542

Follow Up By: Gramps (NSW) - Saturday, Mar 11, 2006 at 13:11

Saturday, Mar 11, 2006 at 13:11
So the consensus is to use the High setting on the fridge (Medium in a crisis) or get a Projecta unit if the fridge does not have the battery saver feature.

Thanks guys, appreciate the advice.

Hope your question has been answered Jilted :))))
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FollowupID: 414553

Follow Up By: jilted - Sunday, Mar 12, 2006 at 11:25

Sunday, Mar 12, 2006 at 11:25
Hi guys,
thanks to everyone I believe I have enough advise to last a lifetime. I even may have fueled a few fires!!!!
Regards to all jilted
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FollowupID: 414688

Reply By: Shawsie (Member - Bris) - Friday, Mar 10, 2006 at 10:12

Friday, Mar 10, 2006 at 10:12
I've just bought one from BCF (Boating Camping Fishing) store in Brisbane at approx $25.
AnswerID: 159670

Reply By: res.q.guy - Friday, Mar 10, 2006 at 15:03

Friday, Mar 10, 2006 at 15:03
I saw one yesterday at Supercheap Auto for under $20.
AnswerID: 159718

Reply By: Derek from Affordable Batteries & Radiators - Friday, Mar 10, 2006 at 20:48

Friday, Mar 10, 2006 at 20:48
Engel produce these.

BM12 10.5v
BM12A 11.5v

Retail in the Engel catalogue is $98.00

It is designed for fridges, the projecta one is not designed for heavy amps.

There are others available as far as I know. There are data sheets in one of my files.

Regards Derek.
AnswerID: 159802

Reply By: Member - Ed. C.- Friday, Mar 10, 2006 at 23:38

Friday, Mar 10, 2006 at 23:38
Have a look at ebay Item# 4619539293 userID solarpower4u ...
These are (apparently) rated at 30A..

regards, Ed. C.
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"He who lie underneath automobile with tool in hand,
....Not necessarily mechanic!!"

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AnswerID: 159830

Reply By: Member - Collyn R (WA) - Sunday, Mar 12, 2006 at 10:44

Sunday, Mar 12, 2006 at 10:44
MikeDiD has asked me to comment. I am unclear if I am the person referred to as being so ' bleep off' etc. But if so MikeDid is not a person on this Forum who would cause me to do so. He is in fact one who would encourage me to return to it.

Whilst I am making this posting however may I comment that if you have the low voltage switch at the fridge end of the fridge cable what you are most likely to be comparing is not the state of the battery but the respective voltage drops across your respective cables.
Collyn Rivers
AnswerID: 160042

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