[C320-list] Fridge Usage

[Irving Grunes]

Colin
It interesting that you have less a voltage drop than Karl.  It could meant
either less current, bigger and/or less resistant wire or better
connections.

But its the current in amps that kills a battery.

Thats what you have to measure.
Irv Grunes
#851

On Wed, Dec 14, 2011 at 3:19 PM, Colin Evans <twosailors at bigpond.com> wrote:

> Thanks again Karl,
> The reading I have are virtually as your at the fridge and battery when
> fridge is on and off.  Yours is .02v/.68vfridge off/on, mine os .02v/.54v
> off/on.  Seems like I don`t have too much of a problem, though cleaning the
> connections can`t do any harm. As you say, it isn`t easy in that port
> locker.
> It is still my intention to fit a monitor over the next few weeks and see
> if
> we are getting a loss elsewhere, as many 320 owners have advised that they
> are a good idea.
> *************************
> 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: Thursday, 15 December 2011 5:55 AM
> To: C320-List at catalina320.com
> Subject: Re: [C320-list] Fridge Usage
>
> 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
> >
> >
>
>