simple voltage sensitive switch?

[oldvarnish]

I wondered if anyone had a simple voltage sensitive switch in their fridge circuit so that the fridge cut out if the volts dropped below 12?
The fridge is the biggest consumer on our boat, especially in the tropics, and it suddenly occurred that something like this might be useful. It would save me having to remember to switch if off for several hours a day.

 

[Stork_III]

I wondered if anyone had a simple voltage sensitive switch in their fridge circuit so that the fridge cut out if the volts dropped below 12?
The fridge is the biggest consumer on our boat, especially in the tropics, and it suddenly occurred that something like this might be useful. It would save me having to remember to switch if off for several hours a day.

Fridgemate http://www.jwmarine.co.uk/

Brilliant.

 

[Billjratt]

The Waeco drops out below 12V - nearer 11, I think. It's designed to let you start the engine at the cost of warm gin. I thought most compressors had this feature built in.

 

[noelex]

A few of the better solar regulators and battery monitors,will do this. You can even program some with perameters such min SOC or only turning the fridge on when on float, or turning the fridge on for a set time etc

 

[Sandyman]

Fridgemate http://www.jwmarine.co.uk/

Brilliant.

Thanks for posting that. Another thing ticked off the to do list.

 

[oldvarnish]

Fridgemate http://www.jwmarine.co.uk/

Brilliant.

Thanks. Just the job.

 

[pvb]

Thanks. Just the job.

It doesn't really do the job you described, as when there's no charge current you have to manually switch the fridge on every 2 hours.

 

[oldvarnish]

It doesn't really do the job you described, as when there's no charge current you have to manually switch the fridge on every 2 hours.

I don't mind that. Good discipline.

 

[mcframe]

The Waeco drops out below 12V - nearer 11, I think. It's designed to let you start the engine at the cost of warm gin. I thought most compressors had this feature built in.

Tricky question 'tho, innit?
(I've got a 1GM10 with a tested-once-a-season hand crank)...

I wonder how much effort (&current) it would take to build a "micro ice-tray" - being able to get a dozen ice cubes once a day WouldBeNice - I've no other freezer requirements, but I don't think offering dry ice in the pink gins is quite the done thing.

 

[nigelmercier]

I wondered if anyone had a simple voltage sensitive switch in their fridge circuit so that the fridge cut out if the volts dropped below 12?

If it's got a Danfoss compressor, this function is built-in. You may need to add a resistor to get it to the voltage you want. If you have a Danfoss, come back with the model and the model of the control box on the side.

 

[theoldsalt]

Fridge Mate low voltage cutoff

I contacted JW Marine to find out at what voltage the Fridge Mate shuts off the power to preserve battery charge. This is their answer.

" In manual mode, when you have pressed the "Boost" switch, the unit is monitoring for and will switch off if the battery voltage drops below 11.2V. (This sounds low but don't forget the battery will be under load and not "at rest" and so does not reflect the actual charge state of the battery).

In automatic mode, when the batteries are being charged, it will switch the fridge on when the voltage is over 13.1V and will switch the fridge off when that voltage drops back to around 12.6V as charging stops. (There is a minimum time that the unit stays on before it starts monitoring the volts again).

Hope this answers your question, thanks for your interest.

Regards, Andy Johnson JWMarine "

 

[prv]

If it's got a Danfoss compressor, this function is built-in.

Or a Waeco (at least the model I have). To be honest, I'd expect it on most marine fridges.

Old Varnish, are you sure your fridge doesn't already have a low-voltage cutout built in?

Pete