Dual voltage fridge?

[SS MAYFLOAT]

I have a 12voltdc/115vac fridge. I'm not sure exactly how this works as for the operation of the electric.<br /><br />Does the 115v have to be off or unplugged before turning on the 12v? Or can both power systems be on at the same time? Or does one or the other have to be on/off?<br /><br />It is made by Norcold if this helps any. There isn't any switches inside the box. Just the t-stat and a switch/lite that lets you know the dc polarity is backwards.<br /><br />Thanks.

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: Dual voltage fridge?

Is it a compressor type or heat element, norcold make both?<br /><br />BTW, the've got a big recall program at the moment, might want to check that.

 

[SS MAYFLOAT]

Re: Dual voltage fridge?

Dunaruna, It is a compressor type. I'll check out their website. I might find an answer there. The fridge is 27 years old and works great. Of course out of those years it probably has only seen 10 years of actual use. I finally got a good door seal made. It works excellent. Had it running for a week on 115vac and no frost on the evaporator at all.<br /><br />I think what I am trying to find out is that if I hook up the 12vdc straight to the battery, unswitched, does it cut off the 12vdc when the shore power is applied? If not then I will have to figure a place to install a switch.<br /><br />Thanks.

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: Dual voltage fridge?

I see no reason for the fridge to use both voltages at the same time, I mean that defeats the purpose of having 12 volt, doesn't it?<br /><br />I've got an old dual voltage Engel portable compressor fridge, it has a sliding door that covers the connecting plugs. When I plug in 12v the door covers the 115v connection making it impossible to connect the 115v lead and visa-versa. Yours might have an automatic switchover system, if not then it's going to be fireworks I suspect, the compressor only runs on one or the other - not both.<br /><br />Aldo

 

[18rabbit]

Re: Dual voltage fridge?

I can’t speak to your ancient relic of a refrigerator but the current dual voltage units I've seen that are built-in units are auto sensing. When shore power (120vac) becomes available they automatically switch over from the 12vdc (24vdc). Maybe shoot an email or phone call to Norcold’s tech support.

 

[waterone1@aol.com]

Re: Dual voltage fridge?

As Rabbit said, there is a relay that energizes whenever 110vac is present, to disconnect the 12vdc. The compressor actually runs on 24vac, the power supply is interesting...to say the least.

 

[SS MAYFLOAT]

Re: Dual voltage fridge?

Thanks shipmates, I think it is autosensing. Once the shorepower is plugged in then a relay opens/closes for the power that is to be used.<br /><br />My wife said last night, "Of all the technical electronic stuff that you work on, you can't figure that small fridge out!" DOH! She got me!<br /><br />So just to make sure, I'm goning to pull the plate off the back and trace out the wiring. Just guess I'm getting lazy, or just too much other stuff to do. <br /><br />Did fire up the engine last night. Fired right up on the first hit of the key! Now if everything else is the same way, I'll be launching it by mid April when the docks are open! It will be the earliest I have been able to get it in without serious upkeep and repairs. Of course this is all weather permitting.<br /><br />Thanks again.

 

[cajun555]

Re: Dual voltage fridge?

SS, sounds like the same unit I had in my cab over camper. It had a relay that when plugged in 115 v would automatically switch from 12 v to 115 v. BTW, I could get 4 hours running on a 12 v battery before it died.

 

[waterone1@aol.com]

Re: Dual voltage fridge?

Gee Cajun, was your battery in good shape ? On my last two boats I could have the fridge, cabin lights, stereo, etc. running for several hours while anchored without any sign of the battery running down (deep cycle).