We recently moved our Beneteau 35S5 to a slip with shore power. We're looking forward to boarding the boat and finding the beverages already cold! But one question: I notice that even with shore power, we need to turn on the battery switches and press the refrigerator button on the fuse panel before the fridge cranks up. My question is, if we leave all of these circuits on, are we placing more wear on the batteries or taking any other risks? (We have a Sentry marine battery conditioner, if that makes any difference.) Thanks.
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Peggie Hall/HeadMistress
Are you sure the fridge AC breaker is on?
'Cuz when a fridge is running on AC power, the DC shouldn't be involved at all.
'Cuz when a fridge is running on AC power, the DC shouldn't be involved at all.
What type of reefer unit.
Terry: Our refigerator is a Technautics Marine unit. It only runs off of the DC. We leave the battery charger on ALL the time that we are hooked to shore power. So we always have our batteries topped off. The reefer unit draws power as it needs from our battery bank. Always have cold beer and always have full batteries.
Terry: Our refigerator is a Technautics Marine unit. It only runs off of the DC. We leave the battery charger on ALL the time that we are hooked to shore power. So we always have our batteries topped off. The reefer unit draws power as it needs from our battery bank. Always have cold beer and always have full batteries.
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Bill Thomas
DC power for fridge
The fridge is wired through the DC panel most likely. It is a DC unit and is operated off of shore power via the battery charger. So the batteries must still be available to the fridge when plugged in. There is no need for concern about excessive battery wear. There are 10's of thousands of units operated this very way.
The fridge is wired through the DC panel most likely. It is a DC unit and is operated off of shore power via the battery charger. So the batteries must still be available to the fridge when plugged in. There is no need for concern about excessive battery wear. There are 10's of thousands of units operated this very way.
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Al Nash
RELIABLE SHORE POWER?
I agree with leaving the fridge on while on shore power. BUT only if you have reliable shore power. If the shore power is lost for any reason (Like a skuzball removing your plug and plugging in theirs; I had that happen!) then the fridge drains the batteries way down in a day or two--not good for your batteries.
I agree with leaving the fridge on while on shore power. BUT only if you have reliable shore power. If the shore power is lost for any reason (Like a skuzball removing your plug and plugging in theirs; I had that happen!) then the fridge drains the batteries way down in a day or two--not good for your batteries.
Good Point
Al: That's a good point. Even better, what happens when stupid (me) forgets to turn on the good ol' charger.
Al: That's a good point. Even better, what happens when stupid (me) forgets to turn on the good ol' charger.
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Bill Thomas
shore power and A/B
All good points from everyone, but remember the Adler/Barbour units have low battery cut out protection. Even if someone is kind enough to unplug your shorecord for you, the system will cut out when the battery drops to 10.6 volts. This protects the compressor from damaging low voltage and protects the batteries from excessive sulfation.
All good points from everyone, but remember the Adler/Barbour units have low battery cut out protection. Even if someone is kind enough to unplug your shorecord for you, the system will cut out when the battery drops to 10.6 volts. This protects the compressor from damaging low voltage and protects the batteries from excessive sulfation.
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Peggie Hall/HeadMistress
Protect batteries:leave fridge on, 12v breaker off
'Cuz Al is right...an AC power outage that lasts a couple of days will completely drain your batteries...and even if it doesn't last that long, a power surge when it comes back up could throw your main breaker. Just don't leave anything in the fridge when you go home that can't either survive getting warm and rechilled--i.e. beer and soft drinks--or isn't anythng that would be a great loss if you have to throw it out--a lesson I learned after I had to toss out 6 Omaha Steaks filet mignons!
'Cuz Al is right...an AC power outage that lasts a couple of days will completely drain your batteries...and even if it doesn't last that long, a power surge when it comes back up could throw your main breaker. Just don't leave anything in the fridge when you go home that can't either survive getting warm and rechilled--i.e. beer and soft drinks--or isn't anythng that would be a great loss if you have to throw it out--a lesson I learned after I had to toss out 6 Omaha Steaks filet mignons!
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Don Curt
Hey Bill, what about the AB where and tear?
Timely subject for me as I just installed my machine and left it on for the first time last night. Besides the battery question being addressed, I wondered what kind of life these units are designed for (roughly). Leaving it on continuously would have some effect I would think. Thanks
Timely subject for me as I just installed my machine and left it on for the first time last night. Besides the battery question being addressed, I wondered what kind of life these units are designed for (roughly). Leaving it on continuously would have some effect I would think. Thanks
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Don Curt
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Bill Thomas
reply to Don
I have seen units as old as 20 years still going strong. There is no harm to the unit by leaving it running. Just like your home fridge, it is designed for continuous duty. The only stipulation is you must let it breath! Allow it plenty of air flow, and your pet ColdMachine will be a faithful companion for a long time.
I have seen units as old as 20 years still going strong. There is no harm to the unit by leaving it running. Just like your home fridge, it is designed for continuous duty. The only stipulation is you must let it breath! Allow it plenty of air flow, and your pet ColdMachine will be a faithful companion for a long time.
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