[C320-list] Fridge Usage

[Karl Mielenhausen]

Colin,

Here is some more data to ponder, from Hull #690 taken this morning:

Adler-Barbour Cold Machine
Fridge energized, thermostst set @ 1, not running (ie. OFF cycle)
@ Battery Bank 12.60 vDC
@ DC Buss on breaker panel (at connection from battery) 12.59vDC
@ switched side of the fridge breaker 12.59 vDC
@ fridge (at the white multitap insulated connector, called a terminal
strip in their manual, drawing on pg. 24)  12.58 vDC

Net drop: no more than .02v DC

Note that the last reading dropped to 11.90 vDC when the fridge kicked in.
This is more drop (0.68v DC) than I expected but the batteries are
obviously not at full charge.

As Stephen suggests, before you start replacing the relay and/or compressor
control module, try breaking and cleaning all electrical connections at the
compressor. Not an easy task but worth attempting.

Cheers,
Karl




On Tue, Dec 13, 2011 at 8:17 PM, Stephen Cox <scox at timmin.com> wrote:

>
> >
> > OK. Lets assume Catalina used 8 gauge wire and the path is to
> > the breaker panel then out to the compressor near the stern
> > or 20' one-way from the battery.
> > Using this tool to solve for a load that would result in a
> > 0.2 vDC drop
> > (http://genuinedealz.com/voltage-drop.html)
> > I get 7.7 amps!!!!
> >
> > I assume you are measuring at the compressor and not at the
> > breaker (although I'd like to have the breaker reading also).
> >
> > So, no, a 0.2 VDC drop does not seem correct when the fridge
> > is not cycling.
> >
>
> I would try wriggling the connectors at each end of all the wires involved
> before panicking.  The push on connectors do build up corrosion over time
> in
> a salt water environment and could be causing the difference.
>
> Stephen Cox
> Tegwen #1141
>
>