What size fuse
Submitted: Wednesday, Mar 21, 2007 at 21:09
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43493
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Member - Stephen M (NSW)
Hi all, thought I'd ask the question about the inline fuse for the waeco fridge. The bloke has wired direct from the battery through to a relay to a switch on the dash board then to the rear cigi outlet. Now it has a 30amp inline fuse between the battery and the relay. I'm presuming this is far too big and will stuff the fridge before the fuse would blow in the event something went wrong. Why the relay ?? Should I get rid of all the crap and just rewire direct from battery with an inline fuse (lower rated) to the rear cigi, getting rid of the switch on dash. Dont see the point. I know he had it as he had an absorption fridge and wanted to know when it was on or off as it didnt have a thermostat fair enough. Regards Steve M
Reply By: Sand Man (SA) - Wednesday, Mar 21, 2007 at 21:19
Wednesday, Mar 21, 2007 at 21:19
Get rid of the current crap Stephen.
A 30 amp fuse will not protect the fridge.
The maximum required for the circuit would be 8 amps (_Affordable_Storage_Drawers.aspx much less) and the Waeco has a built-in low voltage cutout.
Is it a dual battery setup?
AnswerID:
228880
Follow Up By: Member - Stephen M (NSW) - Wednesday, Mar 21, 2007 at 21:35
Wednesday, Mar 21, 2007 at 21:35
Hi there Sand Man, no its not, only one batt and only a 450cca at that. I am thinking of getting the same battery as in the hilux which was a 760 cca and was great when were down the high country prior to xmas running the fridge at -16 as a freezer never had a starting issue although it was started and driven everyday. I was just looking under the bonnett and aint much room under there for a dual. It must be able to be done as I have heard other people say they have dual but I have never seen it for myself. Regards Steve M
FollowupID:
489659
Follow Up By: Sand Man (SA) - Wednesday, Mar 21, 2007 at 21:53
Wednesday, Mar 21, 2007 at 21:53
OK Stephen,
Just make sure the low voltage cutout on the Waeco is set so that your one and only battery is
well and truly protected from too much drain.
The Waeco experts will tell you what setting to use.
I'm an Engel user myself.
Strongly recommend you look at a dual battery system at your ealiest opportunity, or alternatively, spend a similar amount on a portable battery system that can be charged from the alternator while driving, the fridge being run from this portable battery whenever possible.
FollowupID:
489663
Follow Up By: Member - Stephen M (NSW) - Wednesday, Mar 21, 2007 at 21:58
Wednesday, Mar 21, 2007 at 21:58
Thanks Sand Man Derek has just posted a
pic of his on here now, so will be taking a good look at the set up. Regards Steve M
FollowupID:
489667
Reply By: howie - Wednesday, Mar 21, 2007 at 21:27
Wednesday, Mar 21, 2007 at 21:27
there will be people answering with expert knowledge but a couple of things spring to mind.
the cable to the fridge/cig lighter (assuming its at the back of the car) should be quite heavy to avoid voltage drop.
is the cigi standard on your car, or been fitted as an extra? (if it was standard, i doubt the cable will be adequate )
some people have relays, but i think they can add to the voltage drop if not correctly fitted.
test the voltage at the cigi with the fridge running and compare with battery voltage.
AnswerID:
228884
Follow Up By: Member - Stephen M (NSW) - Wednesday, Mar 21, 2007 at 21:38
Wednesday, Mar 21, 2007 at 21:38
Hi there Howie, no it is a standard cigi socket but the wiring is very thick, roughly the size of a power lead eg toaster, kettle. I havnt looked at the back of the cigi connection. I have no idea how he would get a wire that thick to be connected to it. Am going to have a look tomorrow in daylight.
FollowupID:
489660
Follow Up By: howie - Wednesday, Mar 21, 2007 at 21:57
Wednesday, Mar 21, 2007 at 21:57
ok.
remember cables can be all insulation and little copper, its the size of the cross-section of the copper that matters.
the length from batt to fridge is important in calculating size/voltage drop.
a good cable supplier should be able to work it out for you.
i would leave the cigi for general use and run a new cable specifically for the fridge.
FollowupID:
489666
Reply By: Derek from Affordable Batteries & Radiators - Wednesday, Mar 21, 2007 at 21:32
Wednesday, Mar 21, 2007 at 21:32
Hi Steve
More info please.
Dual batteries ?
Wire size ?
Relay size ?
Wired to ignition ?
Cable size to rear ?
Have a look here How To
Regards
Derek.
AnswerID:
228888
Follow Up By: Derek from Affordable Batteries & Radiators - Wednesday, Mar 21, 2007 at 21:41
Wednesday, Mar 21, 2007 at 21:41
Dual Battery in V6 3400L 12 inch N70
FollowupID:
489661
Follow Up By: Member - Stephen M (NSW) - Wednesday, Mar 21, 2007 at 21:51
Wednesday, Mar 21, 2007 at 21:51
Hi there Derek, ok Dual batts NO, wire size, just had a look and it has written on it HIGH DEFINITION SPEAKER WIRE, but more like that monster cable, there is two strands of it (joined together) like a positive and neutral, One end is connected to the body next to under bonnet fuse box the other to the fuse box. It runs in with all the other wires running into the base of the fuse box. Now at the other end just took side compartment lid off where the jack and
tools go on passengers side in the rear cargo area and the wires are just sitting there so are not connected to the lighter at all. The lighter has the original wiring connected to it. The light on the dash that the wiring goes to and from I just checked and only works when ignition is on. Regards Steve M
FollowupID:
489662
Follow Up By: Derek from Affordable Batteries & Radiators - Wednesday, Mar 21, 2007 at 22:03
Wednesday, Mar 21, 2007 at 22:03
What are your plans ? Have you got a fridge and what size and type ? It may pay you to reconfigure the wiring for the time being until you fit a 2nd battery or Power Pack. If you have a 3 way fridge then the current wiring is fine but if you have a compressor fridge you will need to by pass the relay and ignition switch. Fit a socket and low voltage protector to the wire at the back. (Also replace the battery with a big one, MRV70 105 a/h with 760 cca)
Regards
Derek.
FollowupID:
489668
Follow Up By: Member - Stephen M (NSW) - Wednesday, Mar 21, 2007 at 22:12
Wednesday, Mar 21, 2007 at 22:12
Hi Derek, yes have a 50L waeco. Can I just use whats there for now eg, get rid of relay, run straight from battery with the current 30amp fuse bypass the switch inside and run direct to the rear and fit a cigi type socket next to the factory one thats there already like the one in your
pic. Would this wire fit in the back of the one like in your
pic or would it be too fat. Also should I get a lower amperage fuse or is that not an issue as the fridge has one anyway ? Regards Steve M
FollowupID:
489670
Follow Up By: Derek from Affordable Batteries & Radiators - Wednesday, Mar 21, 2007 at 22:21
Wednesday, Mar 21, 2007 at 22:21
Hi Steve
First remember that your battery is very small and the fridge will drain it very fast. I don't know what size the wiring is but if you can fit a lug on it to suit the cable and socket then great. (Make sure it is at least 6mm2). Leave the fuse at 30 amps (Less voltage drop) and the fuse in the Waeco plug will protect the fridge. The Waeco has low voltage protection so you should be ok. Phone me if you need to know how to by-pass the relay.
Regards
Derek.
FollowupID:
489673
Follow Up By: Member - Stephen M (NSW) - Wednesday, Mar 21, 2007 at 22:28
Wednesday, Mar 21, 2007 at 22:28
Thanks Derek, appreciated will let you know how I go. Regards Steve M
FollowupID:
489680
Reply By: Oz Trekker - Wednesday, Mar 21, 2007 at 21:40
Wednesday, Mar 21, 2007 at 21:40
Had similar questions when setting up my own power supply to rear of vehicle. Ended up installing a 1000 watt inverter in the back of the cruiser and i just plug the fridge in as you would at
home. Hooked the inverter up to second battery and no dramas whatsoever. Second power point on inverter definitely comes in handy as
well. Would definitely get rid of your current setup. Regards Warren B
AnswerID:
228890
Reply By: pt_nomad - Wednesday, Mar 21, 2007 at 21:40
Wednesday, Mar 21, 2007 at 21:40
Hi Stephen,
I have installed a large fuse on my fridge/aux power and my compressor power cables. These fuses are installed near the battery. They are there to protect the vechicle should either of the cables be bamaged and start shorting on the body - possible ignition source for a fire esp as it usually heavyier cable capable of carring more current.
I have a 10 amp fuse installed near the fridge. When running I have a 0.1v drop across the wiring. I am happy to live this this voltage drop though connections for the safetry of the installation.
Paul.
AnswerID:
228891
Reply By: Member - Peter R (QLD) - Wednesday, Mar 21, 2007 at 21:48
Wednesday, Mar 21, 2007 at 21:48
Steve,
I am in the market for a GXL Prado and from enquires made a second battery can be fitted under bonnet.
My preference is for an AGM and according to Matthew at Car Sparkes
Gold Coast the standard cradle size is
L305 W172 H225
I think this limits me to an 90a AGM.
If you learn more on the under bonnet 2nd battery would appreciate hearing about it
Pedro
AnswerID:
228895
Reply By: Shaker - Wednesday, Mar 21, 2007 at 23:03
Wednesday, Mar 21, 2007 at 23:03
Sorry to hijack the thread, but if Derek from ABR is reading this, when you will you be back?
I urgently need one of your expanded scale analogue volt meters!
Apologies again to Stephen M (NSW).
AnswerID:
228909
Follow Up By: Member - Stephen M (NSW) - Thursday, Mar 22, 2007 at 10:28
Thursday, Mar 22, 2007 at 10:28
No apologies needed there Shaker, no problem. Hope he gets back to you. Regards Steve M
FollowupID:
489744
Follow Up By: Derek from Affordable Batteries & Radiators - Thursday, Mar 22, 2007 at 11:01
Thursday, Mar 22, 2007 at 11:01
Hi Shaker
I leave on Tuesday the 27th of March to inspect our new fridges and will be back on the 10th of April. Call me and I will send one out today.
Regards
Derek.
FollowupID:
489752
Follow Up By: Derek from Affordable Batteries & Radiators - Thursday, Mar 22, 2007 at 18:10
Thursday, Mar 22, 2007 at 18:10
Hi Shaker,
Thanks for the call. The volt meter is in the post.
Regards
Derek.
FollowupID:
489839
Follow Up By: Shaker - Thursday, Mar 22, 2007 at 22:22
Thursday, Mar 22, 2007 at 22:22
Derek, I can't thank you enough.
I couldn't find one with the expanded scale anywhere.
FollowupID:
489911
Reply By: Im.away - Wednesday, Mar 21, 2007 at 23:43
Wednesday, Mar 21, 2007 at 23:43
Steven,
A couple of things to remember.
1) Your Waeco cable has its own fuse in the plug that will blow at the appropriate current.
2) The 30 Amp fuse will have less volt-drop in itself.
3) You might end up using the same outlet to run an inverter or other higher current device.
4) The 30 Amp fuse also protects the cable running to the socket. That cable might get crushed, or rub the insulation off and short out. The 30 Amp fuse will blow quickly but the cable won't suffer.
You haven't given enough detail to explain how the relay is configured or what the intention was for installing it.
Leave the setup as it is. It won't hurt anything.
AnswerID:
228919
Reply By: Member - Tour Boy- Thursday, Mar 22, 2007 at 06:55
Thursday, Mar 22, 2007 at 06:55
G'day mate,
My sister has dual batts in her 90 series and is in Emu Plains if you need to have a look I could probably arrange it for you.
Regards
TB
AnswerID:
228926
Reply By: oldpop - Thursday, Mar 22, 2007 at 07:17
Thursday, Mar 22, 2007 at 07:17
If you are using a waeco power lead for fridge it is fitted with a fuse in the cig plug end
AnswerID:
228928
Reply By: Robnicko - Thursday, Mar 22, 2007 at 08:03
Thursday, Mar 22, 2007 at 08:03
Stephen,
Waeco reccomend a 15amp inline fuse for all thier fridges as close to the battery as possible. Remember that the power lead supplied with the fridge has an 8amp fuse in it as
well. I have
mine wired direct to the battery with a 15amp inline fuse and have never had a problem. No need for a relay either. I'd just run 6mm cable back down the back and use the existing cable with the relay for a rear
camp light in which case you would want a relay!
Rob
AnswerID:
228931