www.iFourWinns.com

Concur with everyone that says to run heavier wire, I had the same problem a few years ago until I ran 8 gauge wire. I believe Four Winns only ran 14 gauge wire which only allows you an 8 foot run for a 3% voltage drop. I also had to switch out the breaker, a 10 amp was installed, Novakool recommends 20 amp.

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2004 Vista 298
Twin 5.7L Volvo Penta GXi-E

Ditto on this as well...

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2004 Four Winns 328 Vista
1997 Larson Cabrio 290 - sold
1988 Rinker Fiesta Vee 248 - sold

If you're not tripping the breaker going to a bigger breaker won't do anything.

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1981 Columbia 8.7
2015 Yamaha FZR - 87mph - sold
2006 Yamaha GP1300R - sold
2003 Chaparral 215 SSI - sold
2009 Stingray 195CS - sold
2000 Four Winns H180 - sold
1976 O'day Daysailer II - sold
Rick's Four Winns H180 Mods/Upgrade Thread

I'm not sure why a 20 amp circuit breaker versus a 10 amp would make that much of a difference with respect to voltage drop but the Nova Kool manual says an improperly sized breaker will shut the fridge down.

"The circuit breaker must be a 20 amp capacity on the DC side and a 5 amp capacity on the (optional) AC side. Failure to size the wire or breaker correctly (too small) may cause a premature shut down of the refrigerator by the Battery Protection Device."

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2004 Vista 298
Twin 5.7L Volvo Penta GXi-E

Believe it's a matter of resistance/impedance... By multi-meter, I saw a definite improvement in both of my changes (wiring and breaker)... Most notable was the wiring though..

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2004 Four Winns 328 Vista
1997 Larson Cabrio 290 - sold
1988 Rinker Fiesta Vee 248 - sold

I agree that there was improvement after changing out the circuit breaker, even after I ran the heavier gauge, the fridge would still shut down. That's when I called Nova Kool tech support and they told me to upsize the breaker. I haven't had problems since then which makes the wife real happy.

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2004 Vista 298
Twin 5.7L Volvo Penta GXi-E

Dang....I've never experienced this on either my 268 or the 318..both have Nova Kools. I guess there is a perk to being on shorepower and always running the generator!

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2007 358 T-5.7GXi IB
Previous Boats
'08 H240, '08 V318, '04 268, '04 225

Yes, my issue never seemed to happen on Generator or shore power either because, then it was either running on AC/converter that is in the back of the fridge and therefore, a much shorter run from the "power source", or the battery charger/alternators provided enough extra amps to nullify the loss in the run/inadequate wiring if I didn't have the AC switch on.. Point is, at least on some years/models, and fridge model combinations, Four Winns ran inadequate wiring to operate certain fridge models how they were designed when on battery power...

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2004 Four Winns 328 Vista
1997 Larson Cabrio 290 - sold
1988 Rinker Fiesta Vee 248 - sold

Keep the rated breaker. Turn on the fridge and check the voltage at the fridge. Than turn it off. What was the voltage on & off. You should not see more than a 1 volt drop. If you do, you need heaver wire and I am sure you do!