fridges

Which model Engel ?

I have not heard of this...yet.

Cant see why you would have to do this a switch is a switch, I shall watch with interest

Doesn't make sense to me as when you turn the car off the cigi lighter will be off as well so the fridge won't run anyway as the cig lighter is tied to assessories....Seems real strange........

Hi Skipp
The ignition switch is not designed to direct switch high amperage all the time and if the fridge is running you are switching high amperage and the ignition switch will arc, blacken and eventually burn out
Bill F

Hi Skipp,
The only thing I can think of the person who told you this had in mind has already been covered, maybe they fear the ignition switch will eventually cook from switching the fridge current. Switches in DC circuits such as your car are under the most electrical "strain" when going from on to off.

Wouldn't it be easier to pull the cigarette lighter plug before you switch off and plug it back in after start up? This'd work with my 20 odd year old Engel but maybe the newer ones use a different switching method? Do the Engel's still have the old mechanical filled capillary thermostat on/off combined?

Geoff.

Skipp,

Your friend is correct.

I looked up he owners guide for both my current F-series Engel and my 1992 B-series engel, and they carry the same recommendation, that the control be in the "OFF" position when connecting power. They also say to use a dedicated power line from the battery - via a 20amp fuse in the B-series and 15amp fuse in the F-series.

I believe that sharp voltage changes can "cause transistor defects in the inverter".

I install a separate fused cable for the engels in both our vehicles. Then you also don't have to worry about the fridge switching off when you take out the keys.

cheers
Phil

Skipp,
I would be ,more worried about circulation around the fridge.
When you say boot of the commodore do you mean a sedan?

Marty.