Fridge Power Consumption
Submitted: Friday, Jul 21, 2006 at 14:03
ThreadID:
36035
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2919
Replies:
6
FollowUps:
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TAS PAJ
Hi there
Not knowing much about 12volt fridges I was wondering what type for fridge uses more power. I have a cheap waeco 17 litre with a small fan and no thermostat. It seams to drain a deep cycle battery in about 50 - 60 hours. Do these Fridges use more power than a Medium size compressor fridge?
Cheers!!
Reply By: Robin - Friday, Jul 21, 2006 at 14:14
Friday, Jul 21, 2006 at 14:14
Sounds like you have the low cost thermoelectric type
as they have fans.
They use considerably more power and only
have limited cooling capacity. Typ 20c below
air temperature.
Love my little Waeco 25lt as it fits between
the Patrols front seats and _Affordable_Storage_Drawers.aspx 1amp on average
(6 amp peak) to maintain 0c in almost any outside temp.
(compressor fridge - no fan)
Robin Miller
AnswerID:
184660
Follow Up By: Mike Harding - Friday, Jul 21, 2006 at 16:56
Friday, Jul 21, 2006 at 16:56
>Sounds like you have the low cost thermoelectric
>type as they have fans.
Just not many of them!
FollowupID:
441384
Reply By: Notso - Friday, Jul 21, 2006 at 15:33
Friday, Jul 21, 2006 at 15:33
All of the compressor type fridges are about the same, some have better insulation than others, some have slightly more efficient compressors.
Check out this link for a comparison
Site Link
AnswerID:
184669
Follow Up By: Member - Omaroo (NSW) - Friday, Jul 21, 2006 at 17:03
Friday, Jul 21, 2006 at 17:03
Apart from that though... the Waeco's shut down before an Engel, when the battery voltage reaches 10.5-ish volts. This is a good feature if you are on a single battery and you want to save it, but if you run a dual system then I'd rather have the Engel as they stay running longer and will limp along on 9.-something volts for a time. This means that whatever perishables you have in the fridge will have a better chance in the Engel. Either way - the deep-cycle battery isn't going to like it...... :( but that's what you get with the big jobs.
FollowupID:
441387
Follow Up By: Muddy doe (SA) - Friday, Jul 21, 2006 at 21:38
Friday, Jul 21, 2006 at 21:38
9. something volts! you must like replacing batteries!
My Trojan 115 A/H second battery gets down to 10.8 and I am worried that even that is pushing it a bit in terms of depth of Discharge.
Muddy
FollowupID:
441448
Follow Up By: Member - Omaroo (NSW) - Saturday, Jul 22, 2006 at 06:59
Saturday, Jul 22, 2006 at 06:59
LOL! Not at all! All I'm saying is that the Engel fridges are more tolerant of low-battery situations than those fitted with a Danfoss compressor.
PS - If you were carrying medical supplies, then the battery lide comes wayyyyyyy second.
FollowupID:
441476
Follow Up By: Member - Omaroo (NSW) - Saturday, Jul 22, 2006 at 08:08
Saturday, Jul 22, 2006 at 08:08
"those fitted with a Danfoss compressor."
Actually... I meant to say:
"than a Waeco specifically."
FollowupID:
441479
Follow Up By: Mad Dog - Vic - Saturday, Jul 22, 2006 at 13:31
Saturday, Jul 22, 2006 at 13:31
Low voltage will kill a Danfoss compressor, that's why Danfoss compressor fridges come with the cutout feature.
Bugger worrying about batteries. I only buy cheap batteries and replace it every year. It may work out slightly more expensive but I don't have to baby it, if it dies I haven't lost much and I get a brand spanker every year at the most.
FollowupID:
441498
Follow Up By: Muddy doe (SA) - Saturday, Jul 22, 2006 at 13:41
Saturday, Jul 22, 2006 at 13:41
Yes, good point Ray,
Even this top notch Trojan was $220 at TJM and I am sure I could possibly do better than that.
If it lasts 3 years then that is pretty cheap really - considering I am pouring about $450 a month into the fuel
tank!
If it starts getting a bit less zesty then just rip it out and stick an new one in. Takes about 1 hour total (including going to get it) and if you look at it closely costs about $1.30 a week!
Mind you if you look after it and it lasts 5 years then that would be only about 85 cents a week.....
Cheers
Muddy
FollowupID:
441501
Reply By: Derek from Affordable Batteries & Radiators - Friday, Jul 21, 2006 at 15:54
Friday, Jul 21, 2006 at 15:54
Hi Taz
What size battery ?
You won't beat a proper compressor fridge with power use and performance.
Regards Derek.
AnswerID:
184672
Follow Up By: TAS PAJ - Friday, Jul 21, 2006 at 17:28
Friday, Jul 21, 2006 at 17:28
not sure what size abttery it is all i know is that it's a deep cycle and it cost about $180.
FollowupID:
441394
Reply By: brett - Saturday, Jul 22, 2006 at 11:24
Saturday, Jul 22, 2006 at 11:24
Once a battery hits 10V with a load of 3amps it will drop to zero very quickly. Even if your Engel will still tick over on 9 volts,(will they run on 9V?)with a load of 3 amps or more it's going to hit zero very quickly, you'd be lucky to get 30 mins probably less.
AnswerID:
184778
Reply By: TAS PAJ - Monday, Jul 24, 2006 at 10:30
Monday, Jul 24, 2006 at 10:30
Thanks for all the info. The Battery i have is a Delkor N70ZZ 80AH it seams to work ok. The Guy in Battery World told me i could run the battery flat without having any problems. Looks like this isn't true.
AnswerID:
184992
Reply By: Member - Mike DID - Monday, Jul 24, 2006 at 12:04
Monday, Jul 24, 2006 at 12:04
3-way fridges on 12 volts use the most power - they draw 11 amps whenever they are on.
Next are the low-cost Thermo-electric coolers - they will draw between 3 and 5 amps.
A compressor fridge up to 40 litres will draw between 1 and 3 amps AVERAGE, depending on the air temperature.
Mike
AnswerID:
185007