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  • Whats wrong with my fridge/wiring

    Hi all,
    I have run 6mm2 twin sheathed wire from my aux battery to a 20amp cig socket at the rear of my Prado via a 20amp breaker mounted near the aux battery. The fridge seems to run well when the car is stationary but when I am driving the fridge is constantly turning on and off and instead of cooling down to a nice 4 deg it is 12 plus deg. I have had an auto electrician check the breaker and this is still on when the fridge is shut down with power still going to the rear socket so I guess I can discount a faulty breaker. The fridge is a Downunder 35 litre Fridge/Freezer and according to the sticker on the side it draws 8 amps, the wiring that I have done would seem to be sufficient for this set up. Is it possible that I could have a problem with the fridge or the 12 volt socket. Any help would be greatly appreciated as warm beer dont taste so good after a long drive to go camping.
    Cheers Ray
    Prado GXL D4D '08, 6 speed, ARB bar, warn 9000 winch, IPF 9000xs lights,dual battery set up, safari snorkel, bfg all terrains, icom uhf radio,ultimate suspension 2" lift kit, rhino rack and basket, tow bar, Customline 4WD camper. And a growing wish list.

  • #2
    Re: Whats wrong with my fridge/wiring

    Nazray,

    Sounds like one of your joints is vibrating while you are moving causing an open circuit. If it was going open and then closing again it would explain why your fridge is going on and off.
    Are your joints soldered or just crimped? I would check them all carefully.
    AlenP
    07 GX D4D
    TJM T13 Roo Bar
    ToughDog Shocks & Kings Springs = 45mm lift
    BFG 265/65/R17 ATR
    Safari Snorkel
    Tracklander roof rack, 40L Engel on Quantum Drop Slide
    75A Thumper Aux Battery
    Rear door shelf and upgraded window washers

    Comment


    • #3
      Re: Whats wrong with my fridge/wiring

      Sounds to me like a bad connection somewhere and the prime suspect would be the cig socket. First of all check the connections at the battery and the back of the cig socket. But regardless of whether you find an issue at either of these locations I would suggest changing the plug on the fridge and getting rid of the cig socket (they provide a poor electrical connection and easily vibrate loose). I'd suggest using a an Anderson SB50 wth #8 contacts. This will ensure good electrical contact and will not come loose when driving over rough terrain.

      Leachy
      EX-Prado Owner

      Comment


      • #4
        Re: Whats wrong with my fridge/wiring

        From your description of the current draw of your fridge, ( 8 amps ) sounds more like a 3 way style absorption fridge. These basically use a simple heater element and an ammonia coolant. ( like the kero fridges of old ).
        8 amps constant is a lot to be running through a standard cig lighter socket.

        My suggestions

        1. if it is an absorption fridge, swap for a compressor type fridge like an Engel or Waeco. Also absorption ridges only operate really well when level, which may explain why you only have the problem when travelling.

        2. if it's a compressor fridge, 8 amps is way too much, something doesn't add up. I'd expect more like 2-3 amps, which the above two brands draw.

        3. Any way, ditch the cig socket and hard wire all the way, or use a Hella or Anderson connector.
        Cheers, Wayne

        Comment


        • #5
          Re: Whats wrong with my fridge/wiring

          If it is a 3 way absorption type fridge you need to make sure you get the least voltage drop possible to be effective. Nothing wrong with three way fridges however they are at their most inefficient on 12 volt they are better on gas or 240 volt. It is best to cool down on 240v or gas before connecting to 12 volt for travel.

          Cig lighter type sockets are notoriously bad, try an anderson type connection.

          Are you sure the wiring is 6mm2 as automotive type wiring is often measured by diameter including the insulation not the cross sectional area of the actual copper conductor.

          Give us a little bit more information and we may be able to help further

          Grant
          [size=2][b]2009 GXL D4D Auto[/b]
          - A white one - Cooper STs all round - Sandgrabba floor mats - ARB Sahara Bar - Rola roof bars - Stebel compact truck horn - Tekonsha P3 brake controller - Couplertec electronic rustproofing - ARB Recovery bag and gear[/size]
          [url=http://www.fuelly.com/driver/GDSPrado/prado][img]http://www.fuelly.com/smallsig-metric/48415.png[/img][/url]

          Comment


          • #6
            Re: Whats wrong with my fridge/wiring

            G'day Ray,
            Before going any further, change the standard lighter socket for something more substancial. They are are the cause of many problems as they do not provide a continual firm connection in on road conditions, let alone off road. There a many makes of better plugs and sockets on the market, Hella is one of them. Best bet is to buy them as a pair, plug & socket. This means that you will also need to change the plug on the fridge. Try this first and see if your problems goes away. If it doesnt, and you do need to investigate further, concider this as one future problem fixed.
            Regards,
            Bazza.
            [i]I'd rather laugh with the sinners than cry with the saints![/i]

            Comment


            • #7
              Re: Whats wrong with my fridge/wiring

              Hi all,
              to answer some of your questions - the circuit breaker is 20amp resetting, both the positve and negative wires run to the battery and the socket is a 20amp after market socket purchased from ARB. I was able to borrow a fridge of the same make as mine from my father in law and tried that in the Prado, hey PRESTO it works a treat. I have been told by a chap in the 12 volt industry that he suspects the fridge has a loose connection, will get the fridge looked at and hoping it is where the problem lies. I think that an Anderson plug may also be the way to go as suggested, I have been reassured the wiring is 6mm2 I purchased it from my local auto electrician and he hasn't done me wrong yet with other jobs he has done for me. In changing from a cig socket to an Anderson plug will the 6mm2 cable fit in alright and should it be crimped or soldered, all joints that have been done so far are crimped.
              Cheers Ray
              Prado GXL D4D '08, 6 speed, ARB bar, warn 9000 winch, IPF 9000xs lights,dual battery set up, safari snorkel, bfg all terrains, icom uhf radio,ultimate suspension 2" lift kit, rhino rack and basket, tow bar, Customline 4WD camper. And a growing wish list.

              Comment


              • #8
                Re: Whats wrong with my fridge/wiring

                Ray,

                If you buy the anderson plug directly from Anderson Power they have a number of different contacts available for different different size wire. Just make sure you purchase the correct size contacts.
                Soldered vs crimped is a bit like Holden versus Ford it tends to polarise people. Personally I think either method is fine so long as it is done correctly.

                Leachy
                EX-Prado Owner

                Comment

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