12 Volt fuse overheat

[Cashbuyer]

Whe running 12V/240V Electrolux fridge on 12 Volt the fuse gets very hot and the plastic cover on the fuse board is warming around that fuse... Not ideal.

What could cause this?

The fridge has two heaters - one for 240V the other 12V

 

[Anthony]

heat is typically a by product of resistance. Likly that the fuse and / or local cabling is to small for the load or is corroded etc. check connections, use suitable ammeter to measure current drawn and ensure fuse and cabling is appropriate. Depending on fuse type some can just have bad connection to the fuse, if in any doubt replace the fuse holder to start with.

 

[Cashbuyer]

Thanks Anthony. I'll look at the holder. I have tried a new fuse and it
still gets warm

 

[PaulGooch]

Not withstanding previous advise, I think you'll find, on 12v it will use a huge amount of power. Modern 12v fridges are compressor driven and use much less power.

I remember from caravan days that the old Electrolux fridges would flatten a battery in no time.

 

[VicS]

The heating is due to some reistance there somewhere, either the contacts with the fuse or the connections with the wiring

Some fuse holders are very poor.

You may have to fit a better fuse holder. How about an MCB instead?

Also examine the terminations on the wiring and the fit of those onto the fuse holder if they are the push on type.

Heating due to this resistance could lead to a fire if it gets worse! A long way from ideal!

Eliminate the resistance and you should also find your fridge working better.

 

[Cashbuyer]

Thanks guys. If I switch to 240v will that be safe? Does that bypass the
12v fuse?

 

[PaulGooch]

<snip> Does that bypass the
12v fuse?

Yes it does. But double check nothing gets hot on 240v.

 

[Dave_Seager]

If it is similar to the Electrolux fridge that I used to have then it will draw 10 amps on 12v. The 12v circuit has no thermostat so it will draw 10 amps all the time that it is on 12v. That amounts to 240 Ah in a day.

These fridges are really only suitable for 12v use while under way. They are better suited to caravans than boats.

The 230v circuit is controlled by the thermostat. I am not sure what current it takes but it will be quite low.