[C320-list] Fridge Usage

[Colin Evans]

Guy
I sort of did that.  I turned off the shore power, then ran the fridge for
about five hours on each battery independantly. Then I left the fridge off
for a few days, and one battery wouldn`t start the fridge, while the other
did.  So I had the load test and they BOTH proved to be okay.
I don`t think it is a fridge problem as the running time seems consistent
with other 320 owners.  Originally I thought it a bit high as on our last
boat the fridge ran 25 minutes on, then 25 minutes off.
So now I`m looking for current leakage, which I hope will become apparent
with a battery monitor. 
*************************
Regards
Colin Evans
Watermark #774
Lake Macquarie, Australia
 

-----Original Message-----
From: c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com
[mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of Guy Henry
Sent: Wednesday, 14 December 2011 10:19 AM
To: C320-List at catalina320.com
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Fridge Usage

Why not turn the fridge off and run on batteries to see if they die without
the fridge running?

Guy
MoonShadow #115
On Dec 13, 2011 5:46 PM, "Colin Evans" <twosailors at bigpond.com> wrote:

> Karl,
> I did a check yesterday and had a 0.2 volt drop between the battery  and
> the
> fridge when the fridge was not running but turned on.  I don`t know if
this
> is acceptable or not.  One of my projects for the Christmas break will be
> to
> put a battery monitor on.  I`m hoping that this will indicate any current
> leakage.  Assuming it will show usage when everything is turned off, or
> maybe indicate excessive usage compared to the guide on the 320 site.
> I`ll go to the boat later today , having re-charged the batteries with
> shore
> power after they got thumped with the load tests, and recheck the voltage
> drop.
>
>
> *************************
> Regards
> Colin Evans
> Watermark #774
> Lake Macquarie, Australia
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com
> [mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of Karl
> Mielenhausen
> Sent: Wednesday, 14 December 2011 9:34 AM
> To: C320-List at catalina320.com
> Subject: Re: [C320-list] Fridge Usage
>
> Colin,
>
> Thanks for providing the extra data. I can understand how frustrating this
> is especially given what you have investigated already.
>
> My suggestions:
> 1/ Make sure there is no other phantom current draw.
>
> 2/ Check out this report of a bent wire terminal under the thermo cover
> causing the lowest temp condition without cycling,
> back on 01 Jan 2010, courtesy of Rick Sulewski.
> May not be related, however, as you have reported cycling at the usually
> observed levels (ie. approx 30% ON).
>
> Bruce,
>
> Consider taking off the thermo switch cover and check to see if one of the
> switch lead/power terminals (where the wires are attached to the unit) may
> be touching the base plate and keeping the unit in the lowest temperature
> condition (highest number).
>
> Not long after I took delivery of my boat I experienced the same condition
> with a rapid battery discharge & icing conditions noted during my first
> long weekend on the boat. I pulled the switch cover (think that I had to
> pull
> the dial first) and found that there was a terminal bent toward the base
> plate
> (probably occurred when the unit cover were first assembled). I simply had
> to take a flat screw driver and gently pry the wire/terminal free of the
> base plate and that solved the problem.
>
> 3/ Look into a replacement electronic control module.
>
> Good luck,
> Karl
>
> >
> >
>
>