3 way Fridge
Submitted: Thursday, Jan 31, 2008 at 11:57
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Ray
I have been checking my 3 way fridge in the caravan. I have a dedicated line from the car battery to the fridge. At the car battery I have 13.7 volts and at the caravan I have 13.5 volts But when I turn the fridge on (12v) I only have 11.3v.
My question is is there something wrong with the fridge or is my cabling undersized?
Thank you
Reply By: MrBitchi (QLD) - Thursday, Jan 31, 2008 at 12:24
Thursday, Jan 31, 2008 at 12:24
Sounds like cabling to me. How is it connected to the car? Does it just have an accessory feed through the trailer connector? If so you'd be better off wiring it through an Anderson plug, with a direct feed from your battery.
AnswerID:
284698
Reply By: Member - Mike DID - Thursday, Jan 31, 2008 at 12:32
Thursday, Jan 31, 2008 at 12:32
"is my cabling undersized?"
- most likely if
a. The wiring was put in by the caravan manufacturer.
b. The wiring was put in by the typical auto electrician.
I did the specifications for wiring up an emergency
services Troopie so that two big trailer batteries could eb charged enroute to a search. I specified 4 gauge - the "electrician" installed 4mm - one-quarter of the copper and useless !
AnswerID:
284700
Reply By: glids - Thursday, Jan 31, 2008 at 15:38
Thursday, Jan 31, 2008 at 15:38
As others have noted, it could be undersized cable, or poor plug, or both.
Also, you say you have a dedicated line to the fridge. You should have 2 dedicated cables, power to the fridge and earth return. Don't rely on the chassis or trailer lights earth wiring, neither are sufficient.
I have run two 8B&S cables (about 8 square mm each of copper) with a 50 Amp Anderson plug and have no problems, but I only run the fridge off the vehicle battery when the motor is running (ie higher battery voltage). Heavier cable may be needed if you want to run the fridge when stopped.
Hope this helps,
glids
AnswerID:
284734