Normal voltage drop when on battery power w/refrigerator on

[John in Michigan]

Bill, we carry a compact weather station and put the associated remote temperature sensor in the fridge to monitor the temperature. Works very well. -John

[Wayne Collins]

We had a 16 ft, 2000 Scamp. Unless Scamp has improved their wiring, you may find that the voltage at the fridge connections is quite a bit less that 12 volts when on 12V only. Even with a fully charged battery. Like about 10.5 volts.
The wiring from the battery goes through the converter, and then to the fridge. and was of too light a gauge to carry the load.
I ran a length of 12 gauge wire (with an inline fuse) directly from the battery to the fridge, thus was able to read over 11 volts at the terminals behind the fridge.

[sokhapkin]

Did you check battery voltage when fridge was on? I bet is was about the same 10.5V. 10A draw is a lot for a battery.

Absorption fridge is not supposed to be run out of battery. 12V mode is to run the fridge from tow vehicle's alternator.

[Wayne Collins]

[QUOTE=sokhapkin;643130]Did you check battery voltage when fridge was on? I bet is was about the same 10.5V. 10A draw is a lot for a battery.

Yes, all the voltages were measured with the fridge ON. If OFF you will see the
same voltage as at the battery. There has to be a flow of current to see a voltage drop.