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AC/DC Fridge question
https://www.smwebhead.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=8191		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  aguyindallas [ Mon Aug 08, 2011 12:33 pm ]
Post subject:  AC/DC Fridge question
So, lets say you keep your AC on via shore power thus providing power to the fridge. Now, lets say you disconnect and DO NOT turn on the genny and plan to run your fridge via DC power only.. So, you turn off the AC breaker, turn on the DC breaker and go about your day.

When you return to and connect your shore power, you turn the AC fridge breaker back on but forget to turn the DC fridge breaker off:

1. Will the fridge automatically "pick" AC as the preferred power source and begin running off of it?
2. Will any damage be done to the unit if you did this?
Author:  jsimon [ Mon Aug 08, 2011 12:38 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: AC/DC Fridge question
They automatically run on AC when available and switch to DC when no ac is available. I leave the AC and DC breakers on always and let the fridge switch from 1 to the other.
Author:  aguyindallas [ Mon Aug 08, 2011 12:43 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: AC/DC Fridge question
Thanks Jeff. I kind of assumed it would automatically switch, but wasnt sure. I was a little worried as I ran it off of DC power yesterday when we were out and then wasnt sure if I turned the DC switch off when I left the boat. Nervous, I went back later in the evening to double check the position of the switch.
Author:  cougarcruiser [ Mon Aug 08, 2011 1:10 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: AC/DC Fridge question
I run my fridge of DC only. I leave the AC breaker shut off all the time. I found that I was running into issues with the fridge frosting over. I turn the fridge temp up to be less cool, and still had the issue.

Went to DC only, and she works great for me. I don't worry about 'switching' circuitry... Just DC all the time.
Author:  jnizi [ Mon Aug 08, 2011 5:06 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: AC/DC Fridge question
I keep both the AC & DC power on and have not had any issues. Short of a failure of the frig itself, I feel we are covered.
Author:  jsimon [ Tue Aug 09, 2011 3:07 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: AC/DC Fridge question
Not to hijack a thread, but refrigerator related, anybody's cockpit fridge seem to work poorly during the day (especially in high ambient days) and recover at night? I hate lukewarm beer, and that's what I'm getting.

I spoke to a Dometic distributor and he asked that I check ventilation in the cabinet, as a lot of boat builders will not have adequate ventilation. I think that's what I am up against very little ventilation. I'm going to add several additional vents to try and rectify the problem.

Im going to add several more of these vents there is 1 currently, page 57 of this catalog, http://www.marinehardware.com/downloads/import.pdf is what is there now, above the fridge, but nothing down low to let any air in.
Author:  jnizi [ Tue Aug 09, 2011 4:21 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: AC/DC Fridge question
This seems to be a popular issue with Dometic/Waeco units. I did add additional vents in the rear of the housing to let air vent into the gunwale area as well as raising the unit a few inches to allow more air to flow via convection. I also found an auxillary fan unit for Dometic to help cool the unit. http://www.rvcoolingunit.net/servlet/th ... Fan/Detail

I did end up replacing the original frig that came with a Norcold and it has been working great.

Here are some interesting notes from an RV website regarding Dometic units.

"One of the most frequently asked questions heard at these seminars is: How cold should my fridge get? The answer is it depends --- on the ambient temperature, but generally the fridge will operate at 38-42 degrees Fahrenheit (4-6 degrees Celsius). This represents a 40-degree drop from typical ambient temperature, with the temperature control set at 3. A refrigerator in an older coach will lose its efficiency as it ages and it may not be able to maintain this temperature without adjusting to 4 or 5. The freezer section is designed to be 30 degrees (15 degrees Celsius) less than the fridge temperature.

How can I increase efficiency? First, install a battery operated cooling fan inside the fridge that increases air circulation inside. Place it in the back and blow down or in the front and blow upwards, to assist in the airflow. Secondly, install a cooling assist fan at the bottom of the cooling tower on the outside within the access panel area. This fan will force air up through the cooling unit and assist the unit in dissipating the heat extracted from within the fridge. "

I know my cockpit gets very warm and the frig has to work very hard to keep up.
Author:  jnizi [ Tue Aug 09, 2011 4:46 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: AC/DC Fridge question
I did find the matching vents from http://www.marinehardware.com

I added both. Noticed the 2008 model did add the vent behind the grab rail as standard.

Image
Author:  Cruisin Home [ Tue Aug 09, 2011 4:58 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: AC/DC Fridge question
you will also see potentially amazing results by cleaning the condensor from lint and dirt. Had problems this year with my icemaker, cleaned the coils which were full of lint/dirt, and now works awesome, despite how nasty hot it is outside.
Author:  wkearney99 [ Tue Aug 09, 2011 10:23 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: AC/DC Fridge question
I added a fan at the back of our fridge down in the cabin. It was designed to have one added as an option. It blows more air across the coils. This tends to keep the unit from running as much, which in turn saves on battery consumption.

Has anyone purchased those vent covers yet? I'd be curious about where to get them and what's the best price. I'd definitely like to get at least one for the spot behind the grab handle.
Author:  Paul I. [ Tue Aug 09, 2011 11:54 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: AC/DC Fridge question
I have a V258, which has no DC breaker. The dealer warned me that it would switch form AC to DC automatically. That I need to open it to turn it off. I was spoiled by my last boat, that from the DC breaker, if we were out, I could control it. So I add a switch on the side of it so I could. Plus, why open it and that the cold air out, just to turn it off.
Author:  wkearney99 [ Wed Aug 10, 2011 1:08 am ]
Post subject:  Re: AC/DC Fridge question
Our 348 does not have a flippable DC breaker for the fridge, but there is a pop-out breaker. I, too, wish it was a flippable one. To avoid the issue I just added batteries instead.

It would be highly unusual for a high-drain device like a fridge not have some form of breaker somewhere.
Author:  jnizi [ Wed Aug 10, 2011 9:09 am ]
Post subject:  Re: AC/DC Fridge question
I bought my vents through greatlakesskipper.com last year but noticed they are not listed currently. They were not very expensive. They are a "Marine Hardware Inc." product and it looks like you can find a distributor through their website. They are still in their current catalog.
Author:  jsimon [ Wed Aug 10, 2011 12:58 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: AC/DC Fridge question
You can buy the vents direct from marine hardware. Price is 21.73 each. I wanna put 2 under the fridge and 2 above, along with the 1 thats already there I hope that will correct my situation. If not I will add a fan as well!
Author:  wkearney99 [ Wed Aug 10, 2011 1:25 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: AC/DC Fridge question
jsimon wrote:
You can buy the vents direct from marine hardware. Price is 21.73 each. I wanna put 2 under the fridge and 2 above, along with the 1 thats already there I hope that will correct my situation. If not I will add a fan as well!

I noticed in their catalog there was a more rectangular grate that might be better for the grille below the fridge. It looked to be larger than the four-hole oval grille. But I suppose either would be fine.
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