Running frige of inverter vs of 12v

[TheEntertainer]

Hi all,

Need some advise / help with my fridge. I've got a 12v/240 fridge / freezer. Two nights ago according to the error code the fan has stopped working and besides showing the temperature it does nothing. This is only an issue when I run it of 12v, seems to run fine on 240v. As I'm heading out tomorrow morning I was wondering if I can run the fridge with an inverter. I have a 300w inverter and not sure if that would be enough to power it, also what kind of amps would it draw to power a fridge with and average amp draw of 2.5amps per hour and an initial draw of up to 7amp.

thansk

J

[Homestar]

It should run off that inverter easily, but be aware that an inverter has losses and draws power to run it, regardless of the output, so it will drain your batteries much quicker. I would expect around a 30% increase in power consumption overall - even when your fridge switches off, the inverter will still draw around an amp just doing nothing.

Ideally work out what the issue is on 12 volt - is it low battery volts for a fault with the fridge itself?

If you need it now, then the inverter may be a solution to this trip if you keep an eye on things, but not long term IMO

[TheEntertainer]

thanks man, the worst is the fridge is still under warrentee.

The shift from 2amp/h to 4 or 5 amp/h is huge as I won't be driving all that much fising the rivers up in the snowies.

thanks for the info!

[Slunnie]

Mine did this. It was a problem with the cigarette lighter plug that was being used - they're extremely poor and unreliable as a power connection and my experiences are they always fail.

In the end, I properly wired the fridge into the inverter, in my case using the 24v output which uses a proper power connection and since then there have been no problems.

Same with the car, proper plug instead of cig lighter plug and since then there have been no problems.

[TheEntertainer]

Hi,

I've tried it on a different battery with the same issue. Also connected the fridge directly to the battery bypassing the standard cable.

The other interesting thing was that as soon as I pluged in in two days ago it blew the fuse (15amp) replaced it and again. Put ia 30amp fuse in and that does not blow out.... It should realy not draw more than 7/8amps on initial load.

I might through it on the inverter and check how much amps its drawing tonight.

Thanks

Jan

[JoeFriend]

If you have a computer store near you just change the fan, will cost you about $8.

Mine did this and wouldn't work so I just changed the fan and it worked right away.

[trout1105]

Hi,

I've tried it on a different battery with the same issue. Also connected the fridge directly to the battery bypassing the standard cable.

The other interesting thing was that as soon as I pluged in in two days ago it blew the fuse (15amp) replaced it and again. Put ia 30amp fuse in and that does not blow out.... It should realy not draw more than 7/8amps on initial load.

I might through it on the inverter and check how much amps its drawing tonight.

Thanks

Jan

If it blew the 15a fuse you should have tried another 15a fuse, Upping the ampage on the fuse Won't fix anything it can only cause more damage and more importantly it will VOID any warranty you have on the fridge.
Usually is something blows a fuse there is a problem it is lunacy to just put a bigger fuse in and hope for the best.
What is the brand/model of the fridge?

[scarry]

As Slunnie said,cig lighters often fail.

if you need a plug,use a Merit plug,but a good quality one.

Nara have an angled plug that is very handy.

I gave cigarette lighter plugs away years ago after one caught fire in the rear of our D2 in the middle of nowhere.

Never had a Merit plug fail,we also use them on all our hand held spotlights,etc.



Narva | Merit Plugs & Sockets (https://www.narva.com.au/categories/electrical/power_accessories/merit_plugs_sockets)

[trout1105]

As Slunnie said,cig lighters often fail.

if you need a plug,use a Merit plug,but a good quality one.

Nara have an angled plug that is very handy.

I gave cigarette lighter plugs away years ago after one caught fire in the rear of our D2 in the middle of nowhere.

Never had a Merit plug fail,we also use them on all our hand held spotlights,etc.



Narva | Merit Plugs & Sockets (https://www.narva.com.au/categories/electrical/power_accessories/merit_plugs_sockets)

I have converted all of my 12v fridge leads to have a 50a Anderson plug on the end instead if the ciggy lighter plug, I did retain the ciggy plug and also put a 50a Anderson plug on that bit as well just in case I need to use that sort of outlet I can join them back together again.
The Anderson plug connections have NEVER let me down even on the boat on a rough day out.

[loanrangie]

As Slunnie said,cig lighters often fail.

if you need a plug,use a Merit plug,but a good quality one.

Nara have an angled plug that is very handy.

I gave cigarette lighter plugs away years ago after one caught fire in the rear of our D2 in the middle of nowhere.

Never had a Merit plug fail,we also use them on all our hand held spotlights,etc.



Narva | Merit Plugs & Sockets (https://www.narva.com.au/categories/electrical/power_accessories/merit_plugs_sockets)

I had a merit fail earlier this year, it was on the standard Waeco supplied cord. Luckily another forum member was with us and he had a spare which is a much snugger fit and all good so far.

I would be taking the fridge to the nearest service agent to have it checked.

[scarry]

I had a merit fail earlier this year, it was on the standard Waeco supplied cord. Luckily another forum member was with us and he had a spare which is a much snugger fit and all good so far.

I would be taking the fridge to the nearest service agent to have it checked.

Probably poor quality.

I had a poor quality one fall apart in my hand when wiring a cable to it.

Generally i use genuine Narva,no issues in well over 20 yrs.

As others have said,you can use an anderson plug,but they don't suit in many applications,and are much larger.