AUSTRALIA'S ORIGINAL AND BEST CAMP OVEN AND OUTDOOR COOKING CAMPING AND LIFESTYLE FORUM

Reply #10 - Jul 7^th, 2010 at 1:45pm

BillyBushCook Offline
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Michaelb wrote on Jul 6^th, 2010 at 9:10am:

Ross, thinking about the trip in Sept to the SA border, I have a 3 way absorption cooler box, I want to run the cooler on the 12v socket or via 240v while we travel, draws 240 v 72 watts @ 0.3 amps or 12v 72w @ 6.1 amps.

The 240 volt is one of those inverters that plugs into the 12 v and sits in the car drink holder.(Called a 120w power can)

Either way you look at it it is a 72W fridge, if you convert 12V DC to 240V AC via your inverter, some power is consumed during the conversion.

It would be more efficient to run straight through at 12V.

While it is rated at 0.3A on 240V OR 6.1A on 12V.
They are both the same thing,

eg. Power (Watts) is equal to Volts x Amps.
Hence you need more Amps with less Volts OR you need more Volts with less Amps to get the same Power (W)

To produce 0.3A @ 240V, your inverter will need to draw a Min of 6.1A 12V through the Lighter socket. (check the fuse rating on the cig, lighter, it should be higher than that)

6 Amps from a 12V system isn't too much while the engine is running & the voltage regulator will manage.

For example. On my 4Runner, I run a pair of 150W driving lights, add the two 80W head lights which means I'm drawing 460 Watts with my lights on & nothing else, do the math.
460/12V=38.3Amps.
Add my Stereo, CB, Engel fridge (which by the way is only about 1.5Amp Grin

) & now how much current am I drawing at night?

Hope this helps.
Cheers, Mick.

Live while your'e alive, you can sleep when your'e dead.

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Reply #11 - Jul 8^th, 2010 at 6:51pm

Michaelb Offline
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BBC , is there any issue with the length of the 12v power cord, I need about 6m, supposed given the length of cabling required for say a caravan or camp trailer this should not be an issue.

Michaelb

Don't waste a day, not while your breathing.

Michaelb (A Mexican)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mWCVbBkd0j0

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Reply #12 - Jul 8^th, 2010 at 7:34pm

OzJeeper Offline
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Keep in mind that these absorption fridges run on a heating element and that's the killer with the battery. Fine to run whilst traveling and as previous advise, I would run the fridge on straight 12v as it;s a simple option - forget the inverter altogether for this unit.
Cool it at home on 240v or LPG, fill it with cold stuff and at the last moment take it to the car.

You will get a heap of voltage drop with 6m of cable. At least 12mm wire for this run or make it shorter.
With all Chescold type fridges, they will kill your battery in less than 15 minutes without the alternator running.

cheers

My mother-in-law fell down a wishing well, I was amazed. I never knew they worked.

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Reply #13 - Jul 9^th, 2010 at 8:04am

Michaelb Offline
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OzJeeper wrote on Jul 8^th, 2010 at 7:34pm:

At least 12mm wire for this run or make it shorter

Thanks Ross, is this 12 mm or 1.2 mm

Don't waste a day, not while your breathing.

Michaelb (A Mexican)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mWCVbBkd0j0

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Reply #14 - Jul 9^th, 2010 at 9:56am

Michaelb Offline
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Found this

http://www.energymatters.com.au/climate-data/cable-sizing-calculator.php

Don't waste a day, not while your breathing.

Michaelb (A Mexican)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mWCVbBkd0j0

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Reply #15 - Jul 9^th, 2010 at 10:00pm

OzJeeper Offline
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Michael, I suggest 12mm because of the length and the possibility of voltage drop. As many cores as possible. Overkill is the word here. I still have my Chescold and it's a pearler on LPG but a biatch on 12v. It's a voltage vampire so be careful when parked.
It sounds like your running the lead to a trailer? If that is the case you might like to PM me regarding an alternative.

cheers

My mother-in-law fell down a wishing well, I was amazed. I never knew they worked.

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Reply #16 - Jul 16^th, 2010 at 8:51pm

OzJeeper Offline
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If your using the 3 way in a trailer, why bother with 12v at all. Start and run the thing on gas all the time. You get much better cooling effect and no risk to the battery or car systems.
Just make sure the pilot light is protected and doesn't get blown out. Do a test run or two to work this out.

My mother-in-law fell down a wishing well, I was amazed. I never knew they worked.

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Reply #17 - Jul 17^th, 2010 at 5:55pm

Robbo Offline
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OzJeeper wrote on Jul 16^th, 2010 at 8:51pm:

If your using the 3 way in a trailer, why bother with 12v at all.Start and run the thing on gas all the time.You get much better cooling effect and no risk to the battery or car systems.
Just make sure the pilot light is protected and doesn't get blown out.Do a test run or two to work this out.

I was under the understanding that while travelling may go BOOM!
Unless you mean while stationary, in that case, yeah, legendary on gas.

Robbo

May your glass be ever full.
May the roof over your head be always strong.
And may you be in heaven
half an hour before the devil knows you're dead.

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Reply #18 - Jul 17^th, 2010 at 7:38pm

OzJeeper Offline
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Robbo wrote on Jul 17^th, 2010 at 5:55pm:

OzJeeper wrote on Jul 16^th, 2010 at 8:51pm:

If your using the 3 way in a trailer, why bother with 12v at all.Start and run the thing on gas all the time.You get much better cooling effect and no risk to the battery or car systems.
Just make sure the pilot light is protected and doesn't get blown out.Do a test run or two to work this out.

I was under the understanding that while travelling may go BOOM!
Unless you mean while stationary, in that case, yeah, legendary on gas.

Robbo

Nah! Caravans do it all the time! How can it go boom? Worst case is the pilot blows out and shuts down the gas feed. No stress.

My mother-in-law fell down a wishing well, I was amazed. I never knew they worked.

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Reply #19 - Jul 17^th, 2010 at 9:22pm

Robbo Offline
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OzJeeper wrote on Jul 17^th, 2010 at 7:38pm:

Nah!Caravans do it all the time!How can it go boom?Worst case is the pilot blows out and shuts down the gas feed.No stress.

Yeah you are probably right. It is always a subject for some debate.
I think the worst case scenario is fuel vapors at servos ignited by your pilot light but you can take steps to prevent, just a pain to turn off fridge each time you fuel up.

Robbo

May your glass be ever full.
May the roof over your head be always strong.
And may you be in heaven
half an hour before the devil knows you're dead.

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