[C320-list] Fridge Usage

[John Frost]

If the fridge is the only thing on the circuit and the compressor and light
are not on, you should have 0.00 voltage drop on the line. Something like
3-5% drop is normal under load (i.e. .4 to .6v). If you are measuring true
voltage drop by connecting one lead to the circuit breaker output and the
other to the fridge input, and still get .2 v, you have a bad connection
somewhere

My Best Regards,

John Frost
Safety Engineering Services
2627 Trailway Rd.
Huntsville, AL 35801
(256) 650-0335

-----Original Message-----
From: c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com
[mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of Colin Evans
Sent: Tuesday, December 13, 2011 4:46 PM
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Fridge Usage

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

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