fridge voltage drop

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nick.k
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Location: North Devon

fridge voltage drop

Post by nick.k »

12volt element was not working checked voltage and this was low caused by a drop at in line fuse.
Replaced this healthy 13.9 when engine running delivered to 3 way switch. when placing switch to 12 volt only 11.94 comes out and heads off towards the element.
Is that correct is the switch faulty or is the element only drawing 12 volts.

Thanks Nick

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Mocki
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Re: fridge voltage drop

Post by Mocki »

so let us clarify ......

you measure the voltage before the fuse and 13.9V with engine running , but only 11v after fuse ??

or 13.9v with fridge switched off and 11v when the fridge is switched on ?

if its the latter , the wiring is not thick enough to the fridge from the  main battery to the relay and from the relay to the fridge , the fridge will be "drawing" about 12amps and you would expect to see a voltage dropof maybe half to three quarters of a volt , but no more . 

to be honest, a majority of three way fridge installations do not have thick enough wiring and therefore the 12v element doesnt work properly , and this is the basis of the myth that 12v wont cool, but will only maintain temperature , which if its a good install is just not the case . mostly the the 12v element is very simular to the mains elelment in power rating and performance , but poor wiring means poor performance 
Steve
tel / txt O7947-137911
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nick.k
Registered user
Posts: 11
Joined: 30 May 2011, 15:17
80-90 Mem No: 11150
Location: North Devon

Re: fridge voltage drop

Post by nick.k »

Thanks Steve... took your advice. All wires 16 or 20+ AMP leisure battery earth cleaned and seems fine.

Still got the voltage drop when turning fridge onto 12 volt.
The only thing I haven’t replaced or bypassed is the split charger itself. Its doing it’s switching job but wonder if wire out of split charge to fridge is lower AMP. Seems unlikely from memory it came from Just Kampers albeit a long time ago.

Thanks again.

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