WAECO CF50-warning notice question

Submitted: Sunday, Apr 18, 2010 at 11:57
ThreadID: 77803 Views:4310 Replies:6 FollowUps:7
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I'm seeking advice on the below instructions from the WAECO operator manual pg 33.
********************
Warning – Danger of damaging the device!
Disconnect the cooler and other consumer units from the battery
before you connect the battery to a quick charging device.
Overvoltage can damage the electronics of the device.
********************

Does this mean I should not charge my 70A/Hr AGM battery from the CTEK 25000 charger and leave the cooler connected and running on the battery
Is this an issue.
The intention is to recharge the battery twice a day from generator.
Has anyone had a bad experience an damaged the cooler doing the above.

Kr,
Bluespot

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Reply By: Hairy (NT) - Sunday, Apr 18, 2010 at 12:05

Sunday, Apr 18, 2010 at 12:05
Gday,
If thats what it says, it sounds like it.....Ive charged my battery while running the fridge but not a quick charger. Alternator or solar panel.
Be interested to hear.....

Cheers
AnswerID: 413394

Follow Up By: Tenpounder (SA) - Sunday, Apr 18, 2010 at 12:16

Sunday, Apr 18, 2010 at 12:16
I must admit my solution is to run the fridge on 240v whilst the charger is doing its bit (presumably also on 240v!!). I rely (right or wrong) on the auto switchover of my Engel to 240v when it detects supply, thus disconnecting the 12v supply circuit.
I use this approach both on a mains 240v supply and also when running my generator.
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FollowupID: 683486

Reply By: greybeard - Sunday, Apr 18, 2010 at 12:22

Sunday, Apr 18, 2010 at 12:22
I've looked in my manual and whilst I can see the same warning I can't find any mention of maximum voltage specs.

I've used mine connected to the battery while I had a jaycar 16A charger connected and had no problems. I have also had the the fridge connected whilst charging with an mppt/solar ( max charger o/p 14.5v ).
If I have a generator then I usually run the fridge of the generator ( 240V ) and leave all of the 12V charger capacity to charge the battery rather than run the fridge.

I can understand why the warning is there but without any firm specs on max voltage for the fridge it's hard to work out the actual limits.

However as the fridge can also run on 24V it may never be a problem with any 12V charger. But this does depend on how the fridge electronics switches betwen 12 and 24V operation.

Unless I can see some technical evidence to the contrary I'll continue to leave my fridge connected to the battery while I'm charging it. I will make sure that the battery allways remains connected so i will never get the situation of the charger being connected to the fridge without the battery also being connected.
Not sure this helps, but!
AnswerID: 413397

Reply By: Steve and Viv - Sunday, Apr 18, 2010 at 12:45

Sunday, Apr 18, 2010 at 12:45
It doesn't matter about the amps, the device will only draw what it needs The issue is the voltage and that they are concerned about as some quick chargers pummel the battery to quickly charge it. The smart chargers do not. If you were going to try and recover a battery using some of the special modes I would take the fridge off.
AnswerID: 413399

Follow Up By: Ianw - Sunday, Apr 18, 2010 at 13:36

Sunday, Apr 18, 2010 at 13:36
Waeco fridges are rated 12v/24v so I dont think it is an issue

Ian
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FollowupID: 683491

Follow Up By: Tenpounder (SA) - Sunday, Apr 18, 2010 at 13:45

Sunday, Apr 18, 2010 at 13:45
Ian. If it is not an issue given the apparent overhead in a 12/24v scenario, then why does Waeco choose to make an issue of it? I suspect it is less to do with nominal 'pure' DC voltage, and more to do with the actual power profile of the charger output. It is so simple to run the fridge on 240v whilst the charger is working, so why take a risk anyway?
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FollowupID: 683494

Follow Up By: dbish - Sunday, Apr 18, 2010 at 14:07

Sunday, Apr 18, 2010 at 14:07
If you check out the Danfoss BD series compressor technical data. The Max voltage for 12V use is 17V & for 24V is 31.5V. So i suspect Waeco are warning that some fast chargers may exceed these limits & damage the electronic Module. which I might ad is about $230. Daryl
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FollowupID: 683495

Follow Up By: Ianw - Sunday, Apr 18, 2010 at 17:55

Sunday, Apr 18, 2010 at 17:55
So if I have a 24volt system and thru some voltage drop only 18v is fed to Waeco. Does the Waeco switch to 12v operation and blow up?

Ian
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FollowupID: 683528

Follow Up By: dbish - Sunday, Apr 18, 2010 at 18:09

Sunday, Apr 18, 2010 at 18:09
No Ian it will shut down untill the voltage rises again.
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FollowupID: 683533

Follow Up By: dbish - Sunday, Apr 18, 2010 at 18:33

Sunday, Apr 18, 2010 at 18:33
BD35F comp Tech data @ www. novacool.com/support/bd35f_compressor_datapdf
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FollowupID: 683536

Reply By: Alloy c/t - Sunday, Apr 18, 2010 at 17:21

Sunday, Apr 18, 2010 at 17:21
Been doing it for the last 6+yrs no problem , use solar thru steca 2020 , use 240 mains thru Ctek 7 and use Yamaha 1000 gen set thru same Ctek , 80lt Waeco hard wired to Aux batt , Ctek is hard wired to same Batt , never a problem.
AnswerID: 413447

Reply By: LindsayC - Sunday, Apr 18, 2010 at 17:51

Sunday, Apr 18, 2010 at 17:51
The CTEK is a regulated voltage charger delivers the same vaoltage a your vehicle does around 14 volts Some charges are not regulated and any push the voltage higher 15-16 volts. leave the CTEK connected won't damage the fridge
AnswerID: 413452

Reply By: Bluespot - Sunday, Apr 18, 2010 at 19:06

Sunday, Apr 18, 2010 at 19:06
Thanks for all the advice.
Thought it best to ask the wider community just in case it was going to be an issue.
I will run it connected as per my intentions.
regards
Bluespot
AnswerID: 413465

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