I've checked my frig. and it works on all three, propane, 110 volts (Canada) and 12 volts. During a three day trip touring, we happened to notice the 12 volt (green light on the plug) not on several times. Happen to stop in a shop and I checked the plug, it was so hot I could not touch it, but the frig. was working. Unplugged it for the rest of the trip but can't figure out why it's getting so hot????? Any thoughts and hopefully cures ???? Could the leads + and - be fixed up at the plug in, would that do it ?, but would the frig.even work if mixed up ? Need your thoughts........
what 12v plug do you have on the end of the wiring? if its a cigar lighter style plug could be a loose socket causing a high resistance causing high temps?
what size cable goes to the fridge? is it the standard cable or one some one has made? hot cables / plugs are caused by too much resistance or overloading the circuit. cross polarity could make it hot but it would normally just pop the fuse. it is fused, right?
Fridge draws a good couple of amps - get it a proper pair of cables and make sure it is fused (fuses stop the wiring catching fire) correctly - say 5a. Also goes without saying it should only have 12v when the engine is running - you can replace a LB relay with a dual-pole relay to allow it to switch fridge. Ade.
Thanks so far! The line is fused but the fuse is not blown. The wiring from the plug to the fridge is the original line and it's ends. I may take the plug out and wire directly but I'll still wondering what is the cause. It had worked without a hitch( as far as I know) the week before this while on an three day tour??? I'll try replacing the older style "male" side of the plug, (the female side is brand new).
Yes, screws are tight. It's run off the axillary battery. Which has a very heavy gauge wire running from the positive on the battery to the positive lead on the socket. But it's only getting hot on the "male end"??? Wondering if I need to getting heavier leads from the fridge to the socket?
It will be the plug these are not normally rated for the 10amps the fridge will draw. The cheep ones rely on just a spring inside to making the contact you will need a good one that has a bit of wire as well or just hard wire it.
what plug are we talking about ? cigar lighter types are 10 amp as said above you migth be better using a din socket these are 15 amp or anderson connector the small ones are 16amp i beleive
Thanks guys for the help. I'll be hard wiring it as soon as time allows and I'll let you know the results.
http://thelatebay.com/Smileys/default/hattip.gif Thanks to all! I've hard wired the Fridge to the wiring side of the female socket and let the fridge run for 1/2 hour and pressto all is working and no heat build up. Had to be the male end and it's spring loaded centre positive lead. I now have the fridge wired in and an extra socket for phone or laptop recharge.
