does anyone know what the wattage is of the 240 volt element is in these fridges. Not been able to find any details in that area.
I am planning to run the fridge on 240 volts via an inverter installed under the fridge while travelling. I have run all the cables that are needed in the van with supply taken from the aux battery in the cruise. Originally I was going to run the fridge on 12 Volts while travelling but have since done away with that due to too many issues that may arise mainly due to the load current ( about 13 amps).
once I find out the wattage, I can go ahead and purchase a suitable inverter.
just in case anyone is think it, I am an electrician.
thanks and waiting for your replays.
brian (briche)
Tony Bev said
05:30 PM Oct 7, 2017
According to site below, who sell fridge parts, between 175 and 195 watt, Brian
You obviously want to power the fridge from a 12 V source thence the inverter whilst travelling. The inverter will not draw less power than the 12 V element in the fridge - in fact it will draw more because of the inefficiencies associated with the inverter. Just ensure that the 12V power cable is big enough to minimise voltage drop and your 12 V system should do the job quite well.
PeterD said
05:15 PM Oct 8, 2017
Brian, if your cable is too light to run your 12 V element in the fridge it will not drive the inverter. To run the 12 V element you need a cable capable of supplying 14. 6 A with a 1 V voltage drop along it (175 A / 12 V.) To run the inverter you have to factor in the inverters inefficiency. The rule of thumb is to divide the fridge power by 10 and not 12 to work out the required current to drive the inverter. You will then need a cable capable of supplying 19.5 A with a 1 V voltage drop.
Forget wasting your money on an inverter that will not make your fridge run any better and use some of it to purchase some heavier cable if the cable you already is too light.
Hello Brian,
One added consideration is SAFETY! If something should happen while you are travelling, is there any risk of 240vAC being where it shouldn't be?
If you haven't already considered an isolator when you stop (eg for lunch) consider connecting a Fridge Switch (works on sensed motion). I run my fridge off my car's aux battery with the only problem my DC-DC charger on the car is capable only of 20A so if my car fridge is on at the same time, it stretches the friendship.
briche said
02:39 PM Oct 11, 2017
Thank you one and all for your comments. After further investigation on the subject and considering your replys I have decided to abandon the original thoughts. I was aware of most of them anyway but it was good to put it out there to test the waters, so to speak.
i will go my original thoughts and leave it operating direct on 12 volts from the aux battery in the Crusier. I also have a no motion switch installed to overcome the flat battery issuewhen stopped.
once again, thank you for your response,it was much appreaciated.
briche
Brian.
-- Edited by briche on Wednesday 11th of October 2017 02:41:27 PM
-- Edited by briche on Wednesday 11th of October 2017 02:42:53 PM
does anyone know what the wattage is of the 240 volt element is in these fridges. Not been able to find any details in that area.
I am planning to run the fridge on 240 volts via an inverter installed under the fridge while travelling. I have run all the cables that are needed in the van with supply taken from the aux battery in the cruise. Originally I was going to run the fridge on 12 Volts while travelling but have since done away with that due to too many issues that may arise mainly due to the load current ( about 13 amps).
once I find out the wattage, I can go ahead and purchase a suitable inverter.
just in case anyone is think it, I am an electrician.
thanks and waiting for your replays.
brian (briche)
According to site below, who sell fridge parts, between 175 and 195 watt, Brian
Hope that this info is helpful
https://www.caravansplus.com.au/3850644091-element-240v-175w195w-suit-dometic-rm2453-rm2553-rm2355-somerm2350-fridges-p-7024.html
You obviously want to power the fridge from a 12 V source thence the inverter whilst travelling. The inverter will not draw less power than the 12 V element in the fridge - in fact it will draw more because of the inefficiencies associated with the inverter. Just ensure that the 12V power cable is big enough to minimise voltage drop and your 12 V system should do the job quite well.
Brian, if your cable is too light to run your 12 V element in the fridge it will not drive the inverter. To run the 12 V element you need a cable capable of supplying 14. 6 A with a 1 V voltage drop along it (175 A / 12 V.) To run the inverter you have to factor in the inverters inefficiency. The rule of thumb is to divide the fridge power by 10 and not 12 to work out the required current to drive the inverter. You will then need a cable capable of supplying 19.5 A with a 1 V voltage drop.
Forget wasting your money on an inverter that will not make your fridge run any better and use some of it to purchase some heavier cable if the cable you already is too light.
If you don't have one, download its handbook.
One added consideration is SAFETY! If something should happen while you are travelling, is there any risk of 240vAC being where it shouldn't be?
If you haven't already considered an isolator when you stop (eg for lunch) consider connecting a Fridge Switch (works on sensed motion). I run my fridge off my car's aux battery with the only problem my DC-DC charger on the car is capable only of 20A so if my car fridge is on at the same time, it stretches the friendship.
Thank you one and all for your comments. After further investigation on the subject and considering your replys I have decided to abandon the original thoughts. I was aware of most of them anyway but it was good to put it out there to test the waters, so to speak.
i will go my original thoughts and leave it operating direct on 12 volts from the aux battery in the Crusier. I also have a no motion switch installed to overcome the flat battery issuewhen stopped.
once again, thank you for your response,it was much appreaciated.
briche
Brian.
-- Edited by briche on Wednesday 11th of October 2017 02:41:27 PM
-- Edited by briche on Wednesday 11th of October 2017 02:42:53 PM