Hi , our 12v compressor fridge is not working at night when there is no power from sun. During the day it shows up to 27 volts but not at night, are the batteries gone? How do I check?
Ps 24v system.
Thanks
Andrew
On the face of it yes, but there is not a lot of information on your setup other than you have a 24 volt system.
A bit odd that with a 24 volt system that the fridge is running off 12 volts. Unless you have a 24 to 12 volt DC-DC charger, far better than running the fridge off one of the batteries in a series setup. Although it could be a 12 & 24 volt automatic switching fridge.
I am jumping to conclusions here so probably confusing the situation.
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Procrastination, mankind's greatest labour saving device!
50L custom fuel rack 6x20W 100/20mppt 4x26Ah gel 28L super insulated fridge TPMS 3 ARB compressors heatsink fan cooled 4L tank aftercooler Air/water OCD cleaning 4 stage car acoustic insulation.
Oh dear: yesterday I was accused of being harsh with such posters, so:
Although your post was interesting it didn't supply sufficient information for us to offer a worthwhile answer so will you please provide a full and complete description of your system including how/why you are running a 12V fridge from a 24V system, solar panel and battery sizes (and battery age), length of cables involved, charging situation for the panels (shade), location in Australia; then we may be able to help a little more - or, at least, the people who bitch at me will help I'm sure, quite why they didn't ask you to expand the info. I do not know?
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"I beseech you in the bowels of Christ think it possible you may be mistaken"
Oliver Cromwell, 3rd August 1650 - in a letter to the General Assembly of the Kirk of Scotland
Im sorry we recently purchased the motor home and are only just getting to know the systems. The gentleman owner passed away so i cannot ask him details. All I know is there is a 24 v system, not sure wether fridge is 12 or 24. Works great during sunny days, four panels guessing approx 400 watts.At night fridge is not staying cold, I was guessing batteries are holding voltage?
Thanks for your advice
Andrew, are you shore it is a 12 V fridge? Most of them are dual 12/24 V models. The details are in the handbook for the fridge in the "Specifications" section. If you do not have a handbook, let us know the make and model of the fridge is. We can then give you a link from where you can download it. Also, you have not told us what the battery voltage is in the morning before the sun starts to charge the battery. That may give us some indication of the condition of the batteries. As it is from a deceased estate, there is a big chance that the unit could have been stored without battery maintenance for a considerable time.
Are you able to charge your batteries from a 230 V mains supply? If so then spend a night in a caravan park or connect the motor home to mains power at home for a night. Remove the mains power after midday and see if the batteries hold up over the next night. If they do hold power then the batteries are OK. If you check and note the battery voltage at hourly intervals until you go to bed that will also give us some indication of your batteries.
Check that your batteries are being fully charged each day. Their charge voltage should to 28 plus volts, remain at that voltage for some time and then drop to 12.8 V or so some time after 11 AM to mid day. If they are not doing that then they are not being properly.
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PeterD Nissan Navara D23 diesel auto, Spaceland pop-top Retired radio and electronics technician. NSW Central Coast.
Whenarewethere wrote:I am jumping to conclusions here so probably confusing the situation.
You certainly are. Engel fridges and Danfos compressors both run on 12/24 V.
Mine is 12 & 24 volt.
The original post did say '12v compressor fridge' so one can only go off the information supplied.
Theoretically we can run our fridge off the batteries for 7 days. I only use the solar panels after 4 days, couldn't be bothered putting up, or drive to charge up.
__________________
Procrastination, mankind's greatest labour saving device!
50L custom fuel rack 6x20W 100/20mppt 4x26Ah gel 28L super insulated fridge TPMS 3 ARB compressors heatsink fan cooled 4L tank aftercooler Air/water OCD cleaning 4 stage car acoustic insulation.
Check wiring ? Where its connected ? It maybe connected on solar side with diode between battery and connection ? How many volts are at battery at night ? Or early morning . If battery is low ? Possibly faulty ? Chances are if its just been bought ? The seller wasnt going to get batteries replaced ? Do you have VSR between motor batteries and house ? Does it run if motor is tuning at night ? One thing for sure ? Its either the connection or batteries not holding charge ! Although around Sydney at present weve had a lot of overcast days . Ive had to connect 240 to keep batteries over 12.5 v . Good 20 amp
Charger helps !
