engel amps

Actually back on topic,

I believe (correct me if I'm wrong) the current draw remains reasonably steady, its the duty cycle that changes dependant on the ambient temp.

Case in point, Australia day long weekend 2007 we went camping up in Tasmania's central highlands. Ambient temp was a max of about 7 degrees all weekend and the fridge sat on 1.5 degrees all weekend and used stuff all of the capacity of the 105 amp GelCel under the seat. It cycled in about 3 times an hour for 5 minutes all weekend.

Went away for easter to Broadwater National park week b4 last, ambient between 21 over night and 32 during the day. Fridge cycled in n out regularly and the battery after 48 hours was down to about 11.9 volts.

I rekon thats ok but I wouldn't like to see it get below 11.7.

Let me know yout thoughts.

Well you've really reiterated what I was suggesting. If the fridge draws 2.5 amps when cycling (my manual says "up to") well of course it draws nothing when on standby.....therefore it must draw less than 2.5 amps per hour on average. And as both you and I stated it depends on ambient because if the temp outside is higher it will cycle more often, therefore drawing more power per hour in hotter climes.

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Originally Posted by numpty

therefore it must draw less than 2.5 amps per hour on average. .

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so are we concluding that it should never draw more than 2.5 amps for any reason?

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Originally Posted by numpty

I think amp draw is "up to" 2.5 amps. It's all dependent on ambient anyway, but ours draws less than 2.5 most of the time, as we have managed over 3 days running on one battery, and still managed to start the car.

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Hi folks, the 2.5 amp power requirement is what the fridge draws while running but if the fridge is cycling on and off at equal time periods ( 50% cycle rate ), say 30 minutes on and 30 minutes off then then it is actually only using 1.25 “amp hours” of battery power.

Numpty, the fact that you got three days off one battery means that the fridge was probably averaging something like a 20% on cycle rate, which is about an average draw of a .5 amp hour power consumption.

If your fridge was drawing 2.5 amps an hour, over the three days you would have pulled at least 150 to 180 amp hours of power from your battery.

It’s a bit confusing but 2.5 amps is the maximum current consumption while the fridge is in the on cycle.

Working out the fridges average power consumption ( amp hours ) over a 24 hour period is a lot more difficult.

Cheers

Your only telling me what I already know Tim. I was/am impressed with the fridge due to it's overall performance. Of course I realise that the draw is dependent on cycling time.....I thought that's what I'd intimated in my previous comments.

BTW, it's due to the fact that the fridge performs so well, that I would only ever contemplate running the 2 start batteries currently used, while I continue to use the fridge as I do.

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Originally Posted by neil-d1

so are we concluding that it should never draw more than 2.5 amps for any reason?

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No,this, as stated before, is largely dependent on ambient temp.

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Originally Posted by neil-d1

so are we concluding that it should never draw more than 2.5 amps for any reason?

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That’s pretty well about it, it should not draw very much more than what is indicated on the builders plate.

Unless the builders plate specifically states that this is the average current draw, then this is the maximum current that is likely to be drawn and is there so those designing circuits to power this or any other electrical device, know the maximum current that there circuit must cater for in a correctly wired and powered circuit.

In normal use, the fridge ( like most electrical devices ) will probably draw less than the current indicated on the builders plate.

You can check this out with any digital multi meter that has an amp meter function in it, most now can measure up to 10 amps so the 2.5 amp of one of these fridges can be easily and safely measured.

If the builders plate specifically states that this is the average current draw then there would be no way of knowing what sort of maximum current the device is capable of drawing and as such, how would one know what is the minimum size cable that would be safe to use when powering this device.

Cheers

2.5 amps is the max steady state current, so yes it is the max for most purposes. There is going to be a start up current spike every time the compressor is started but it only lasts for a short time (that's why its a spike) and will not blow your fuse.

thanks