need a auto elec. Waeco plug problems again

not at the fridge end , the hella type plug that plugs into the vehicle . I fitted a new female socket today , but no cigar , same issue .

If I can also add , using the 240 v transformer , and having the fridge plugged in at home , I had no issues

OK.. if the fridge runs off the transformer at home with the same lead.. then the problem is in the car!

The socket in the car (the one you replaced..) is it the conventional cigarette light type or the Hella single pole and you have to remove the adaptor on the Waeco lead to fit to it?

Cheers

MT

I missed one of your comments re the thinner earth wire... electriciy needs to "complete the circuit" so the earth wire will be carrying the same current as the power wire.. so both should be of a size that is capable of doing so. I realise you have stated that one is lighter than the other, but do you know what size they are?

If the plug is melting at the end... then that is the source of the problem.

A quick check by an auto electrician with the fridge in the circuit will soon find the problem.
Cheers

MT

the type that you need the red bit removed. I also made sure the clip was a tight fit at the center point and also the earth pins were pulled out to ensure a good fit . I was thinking a earth issue might do it , what do you think ?

I am running a 8 amp fuse, could this be causing the issue , to small a fuse to pass the current ??? but dosnt eplain the working with the transformer properly

Fridge would not be drawing in excess of 8 Amps or the fuse would have blown, usual 12v compressor fridge _Affordable_Storage_Drawers.aspx ~6 Amps.

Is the fuse 'hot' ? if not forget it as a part of problem, if it's even 'warm' replace it as part of your cabling upgrade and use a 15 Amp ceramic fuse.

Mainey . . .

I am running a 8 amp fuse, could this be causing the issue , to small a fuse to pass the current ???

No an 8amp fuse is fine, if it wasn't it would simply blow. As the fuse hasn't blown it suggests there is no major fault with the fridge but is with the wiring or plugs. Start by replacing the hot connection. (With a decent plug & suitable thickness wire)

Cheers Craig......

if I was to guess , if I measured the inner wire core with a vernia , I would say my possitive is 3 mm and the negative 1 to 1.5 mm

replace BOTH cables with *minimum* of 10 mm² cable (or thicker) and you will see an improvement in fridge performance too.

Yes as they say, size DOES matter :)

Mainey . . .

I agree with Mainey Eric, 10 mm² cable (or thicker) is the way to go. Too small cable, particularly on 12VDC is just like trying to suck a slurpee through a really small straw..... lot's of effort for lttle or no result. Get the right cable and I reckon you'll see a huge difference in the performance of your fridge.


Cheers

Brian

Also... I don't think you have heavy enough wire to be honest with you.. however I seem to recall you saying that it worked OK for some time before hand.


Go see your auto sparky!

Cheers

Mark T

on holidays in Port Stephens , there was auto elec in salamander bay that was on holidays last week , ill try him fridays , as I have promissed the kids a fishing trip tomorrow , we all know fishing comes before problems lol

No worries... enjoy your day and keep me posted!

Cheers

MArk T

"Most Auto Electricians think anything 6mm in diameter including insulation is good for 45 Amps, bloody scary concept that one!"

As an auto electrician I'd like you to name 3 that to support your statement!

Like I said yesterday... take the car and the fridge to an auto electrician and let him/her diagnose the problem properly.

Mark T

you might be on something there , the fuse is destorted and it melts at the top part of the fuse were it touches the positive conector , I will do that and upgrade earth cable .

The hella type plugs ( and sockets ) from memory are rated to 20A...
Fridge should only be pulling 8A ( but voltage drop may cause this to be a bit higher )
If the plug is melting, then the current is too high for the plug......fix your earth prob and you may fix the plug prob..

Just replacing the plug and socket for a bigger capacity doesn't solve the prob....it just moves it somewhere else..
Sometimes it's best to have the weakest link where it's easy to notice and easy to get to....which in a properly wired system is the fuse !! But in your case seems to be the plug ??

What sort of male plug did you use ? the new type with earth fingers all the way round are a far better type..( Jaycar/Narva )

I have a 60ltr Waeco and because I use it in the 4x4 as well as plugging into the side of the CT, anderson plugs are of no use, but I have never had connection issues with Hella type plugs..

Gronk,
You said it: "Just replacing the plug and socket for a bigger capacity doesn't solve the prob....it just moves it somewhere else"

When the problem IS the plug and in this case it must be at least a major part of it because the plug is *melting* so by using a higher capacity plug I'm sure it won't melt, the (+) cable from what I've understood is not getting hot, so I can only assume the plug is too 'thin' or faulty for some other reason and is heating up.

The (-) cable and faulty earth may also be aggravating the problem too ??

Mainey . . .

"When the problem IS the plug and in this case it must be at least a major part of it because the plug is *melting* so by using a higher capacity plug I'm sure it won't melt"

I also personally think 8mm² is on the smaller side if your fridge _Affordable_Storage_Drawers.aspx ~9 Amps, mine _Affordable_Storage_Drawers.aspx 10 Amps and that's considered huge by 'normal' compressor fridge standards, I use 10mm² because anything less gives problems, but he's ok with it so do as he says.

Anderson plugs will eliminate all plug hassles for sure !

Mainey . . .

Hella type plugs are rated at 20A, so should handle 9A easily..
Are you using hella type plugs ??

By going to anderson plugs ( rated at 50A ) you certainly won't have plug problems

The Anderson Plug will be easy to fit and remains connected under all conditions, never falling out due to any badly corrugated road condition etc
Image Could Not Be FoundMainey . . .

I have anderson plugs at the rear of the 4x4 for charging the CT batts and the only trouble I have is that on a couple of occasions they HAVE come undone on corrugations ??

Would much prefer a plug with a more positive locking mechanism ? ( don't know of any though ?? )

Gronk,

To overcome your Anderson plug problems on corrugations buy a bag of nylon cable ties from Jaycar and use one or two to positively secure your Anderson Plug. The plug on my camper worked loose and 'vaporised' somewhere on the road between Windorah and Longreach. Lucky it didn't short out the CT batteries!