As a new owner of a Hunter 33, I bought an AC refigerator and an inverter. It trips the breaker. Should I return it for a DC one?
Refrigerator Replacement
- Thread starter lweeks
- Start date
Number ? Numbers ?
Without numbers this is strictly a guessing game.
And the people on this site who know about electrical matters don't guess.
Without numbers this is strictly a guessing game.
And the people on this site who know about electrical matters don't guess.
Very true. Also didn't explain what breaker popped...
Sailorchic34's New Dorm Fridge - inverter driven dorm fridge
https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f115/sailorchic34s-new-fridge-180007.html
Here's an example of what does work:
Sailorchic34's New Dorm Fridge - inverter driven dorm fridge
https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f115/sailorchic34s-new-fridge-180007.html
Running an AC load off of DC is a very inefficient way of running a refrigerator. At best the inverter is only about 90% efficient, every time the refrigerator comes online about 10% of the energy being used is wasted, turned in to heat.
What size inverter do you have? It may not be able to handle the inrush current when the compressor kicks on, which would cause the circuit breaker to blow.
As @Ralph Johnstone said, we need to know more about the electrical setup on your boat.
What size inverter do you have? It may not be able to handle the inrush current when the compressor kicks on, which would cause the circuit breaker to blow.
As @Ralph Johnstone said, we need to know more about the electrical setup on your boat.
Dave, you're right, however the reason i saved Sailor Chick's article was it includes her load analysis, which shows that as far as ah are concerned it's not so bad. I was surprised. That's why I saved and share it often. Might work for this skipper who already bought an AC. AC something is the question now, among others...
Stu, the point I was making was all other things being equal, using an AC appliance running off of a DC Inverter is inefficient. It is more efficient to run a DC appliance off a DC source than an AC appliance off a DC inverter.
With that said, as we both know in the world of marine refrigeration nothing is equal. There are so many factors involved that affect efficiency, including the box design, insulation, compressor style and build, door seals, refrigerator location, and so on, that confound any attempt to simply answer the OP's question. Ralph was correct (again) that we need more information about the installation.
With that said, as we both know in the world of marine refrigeration nothing is equal. There are so many factors involved that affect efficiency, including the box design, insulation, compressor style and build, door seals, refrigerator location, and so on, that confound any attempt to simply answer the OP's question. Ralph was correct (again) that we need more information about the installation.
jssailem
SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
- Oct 22, 2014
- 24,764
The query provides a choice without any context of your intended needs.
NovaKool provides a wide range of refrigerator/freezers in both AC, DC and auto switchable units. I have one on my boat.
It was easy to build it into the boat. Is miserly on DC power consumption. When docked at the marina, it switches to AC. I chose a freezer unit that I adjust to 36º F. I figured that a freezer design would be beefed up to accommodate sub-Zero demand. Running it at 36º is like letting it walk not forcing it to run all the time. So far it has worked out meeting my needs for a dual use system.
Figure out what you want in a system and how you will utilize it’s capabilities, then select a system that will fulfill your demands.
NovaKool provides a wide range of refrigerator/freezers in both AC, DC and auto switchable units. I have one on my boat.
It was easy to build it into the boat. Is miserly on DC power consumption. When docked at the marina, it switches to AC. I chose a freezer unit that I adjust to 36º F. I figured that a freezer design would be beefed up to accommodate sub-Zero demand. Running it at 36º is like letting it walk not forcing it to run all the time. So far it has worked out meeting my needs for a dual use system.
Figure out what you want in a system and how you will utilize it’s capabilities, then select a system that will fulfill your demands.
Do the dual voltage AC/DC fridges have independent AC and DC compressors, or are they DC fridges with an AC-DC power supply, or AC fridges with a DC-AC inverter?
It is the 15-amp panel breaker that popped . The refrigerator is a 70-watt system. The inverter is 300 watts. I expected a surge at the start, and it was clearly above 180 but less than 300 watts. The most useful response for my question was the more general statement of the inefficiency of the inverter in the path.
I appreciate.eveyone's response. I already ordered a DC refrigerator. Thanks.
I appreciate.eveyone's response. I already ordered a DC refrigerator. Thanks.
Which breaker is tripping? What is the Amp rating of the Refrigerator? What is the Watts size of the inverter? What is the state of charge and the Amp/Hours size of the battery bank? What is the size of the battery charger? If you are talking about plugging the refrigerator to a shore power circuit and blowing the AC panel breaker say if the outlet is connected to GFCI circuit? Shore power pedestals are always suspects, plugging a GFCI protected circuit to a an already GFCI protected power source can yield frequent breaker tripping.
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Yes, that would make most sense - optimize the design for efficiency when away from the dock, and accept the power supply loss when plugged in ashore.
Although I have both an ac/dc and a dc fridge, I would have to be convinced of the benefits of the former. Certainly open for discussion but if and when you are connected to shore power and you have a battery charger, it will supply the power to your boat’s dc bus and subsequently power your fridge(s). This will be true up to the maximum output of your charger. At that point the batteries would come into play.
AI generated: “The Role of the Charger: The marine battery charger converts AC shore power into DC power. It sends this DC power directly to the boat's DC electrical bus to run your 12V equipment while simultaneously putting a charge back into the batteries if required.”
AI generated: “The Role of the Charger: The marine battery charger converts AC shore power into DC power. It sends this DC power directly to the boat's DC electrical bus to run your 12V equipment while simultaneously putting a charge back into the batteries if required.”
jssailem
SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
- Oct 22, 2014
- 24,764
Is the argument, the efficiency of running the refrigerator is better if under DC Power then AC power?
To be true, then when having the ability to use AC, the charging systems of the boat, to power the DC systems and then supply DC to a DC only refrigerator would need be more efficient than the electronics of the refrigerator to convert AC to DC and run the refrigerator.
When pricing out the two types of units there is a $175 difference in purchase price. But I noted that the price page indicated that the DC only unit is a Special Order item. Not sure what that means. Is there a delay or a price added to a Special Order Item?
Florida Based - CitiMarine Store Nova Kool R3100 Refrigerator - 3.0 cu.ft (85L) - (AC/DC or DC Only)
Please select AC/DC version Below
DC only Not in stock (Special order)
AC/DC Unit R3100
Regular Price: $1,428.02
CPlus Price: $1,328.06
Seattle Based - Sure Marine Service Nova Kool R3100 3.0 CU FT AC/DC Single Door Refrigerator with Freezer
Nova Kool R3100 3.0 CU FT AC/DC Single Door Refrigerator with Freezer
Price : $1,815.30
Our Price : $1,361.48
Nova Kool R3100 3.0 CU FT DC Only Single Door Refrigerator w/ Freezer
Price : $1,581.68
Our Price : $1,186.26
To be true, then when having the ability to use AC, the charging systems of the boat, to power the DC systems and then supply DC to a DC only refrigerator would need be more efficient than the electronics of the refrigerator to convert AC to DC and run the refrigerator.
When pricing out the two types of units there is a $175 difference in purchase price. But I noted that the price page indicated that the DC only unit is a Special Order item. Not sure what that means. Is there a delay or a price added to a Special Order Item?
Florida Based - CitiMarine Store Nova Kool R3100 Refrigerator - 3.0 cu.ft (85L) - (AC/DC or DC Only)
Please select AC/DC version Below
DC only Not in stock (Special order)
AC/DC Unit R3100
Regular Price: $1,428.02
CPlus Price: $1,328.06
Seattle Based - Sure Marine Service Nova Kool R3100 3.0 CU FT AC/DC Single Door Refrigerator with Freezer
Nova Kool R3100 3.0 CU FT AC/DC Single Door Refrigerator with Freezer
Our Price : $1,361.48
Nova Kool R3100 3.0 CU FT DC Only Single Door Refrigerator w/ Freezer
Our Price : $1,186.26