3 way fridge 12V voltage level - SOLVED

webers3
webers3 Member Posts: 436
edited October 2021 in Battery/Electrical & Solar
Removed the 3 way fridge and wanted to use the 12v line that went to the 3 way fridge to power the new 12v  fridge but when I measured the voltage on the 12v line it shows 11.3v even though the battery voltage is at 12.7v. I measured the voltage at the battery and at one of the 12v outlets inside to verify the 12.7v. Any explanation why the voltage on the fridge line is low?
2017 T@B 320S   2019 Jeep Cherokee - Southern Connecticut

Comments

  • AnOldUR
    AnOldUR Member Posts: 1,741
    edited October 2021
    Can't explain except to say that we removed our 3-way fridge in favor of a 12V slide-out chest and used the existing 12V line. With a rested battery, we get the same voltage there as at the battery (or any other place). Works great!
    Stockton, New Jersey
    2020 nuCamp T@B 320S * Jeep Wrangler
    60,865 camping miles through the end of 2025

  • webers3
    webers3 Member Posts: 436
    Thank you @AnOldUR, I am actually following your plan to replace the 3 way. This has me stumped. 
    2017 T@B 320S   2019 Jeep Cherokee - Southern Connecticut
  • Denny16
    Denny16 Member Posts: 5,430
    You either have a small resistance short in that wire, or a bad splice/connection point.  Try disconnecting the wire from the power converter at the fuse connection, measure the voltage at the fuse load side, if it is 12.x VDC, then next, cut off the wire ends and re connect them, if still getting a voltage drop, trace the wire, there is an issue somewhere along the wire run.  
    cheers
    2018 TaB400 Custom Boondock,  Jeep Gladiator truck, Northern California Coast.
  • AnOldUR
    AnOldUR Member Posts: 1,741
    To add to what @Denny16 said above, if your 2017 320S is the same as my 2020, the fuse is a 20amp at F4 location and the refrigerator is the only thing in that circuit.
    Stockton, New Jersey
    2020 nuCamp T@B 320S * Jeep Wrangler
    60,865 camping miles through the end of 2025

  • webers3
    webers3 Member Posts: 436
    @Denny16 so that wire runs straight from the fridge to the converter? @AnOldUR by F4 location you mean the auto style fuse?
    2017 T@B 320S   2019 Jeep Cherokee - Southern Connecticut
  • AnOldUR
    AnOldUR Member Posts: 1,741
    edited October 2021
    @webers3 ... I did not trace the wire, but when testing my battery draw I checked each circuit individually and didn't find anything else but the fridge on F4. That's also what I've read in different places. And yes, F4 is an auto style fuse.
    (the 20amp fuse at F4 is in upside-down, but this picture shows its location)
    Stockton, New Jersey
    2020 nuCamp T@B 320S * Jeep Wrangler
    60,865 camping miles through the end of 2025

  • webers3
    webers3 Member Posts: 436
    @AnOldUR Thanks again, it’s confusing because one diagram I am looking at for 2016 320 has fridge on F2 but will verify and test when I go back to it. 
    2017 T@B 320S   2019 Jeep Cherokee - Southern Connecticut
  • webers3
    webers3 Member Posts: 436
    Well, that's embarrassing, it was the fuse. It didn't occur to me to check it to begin with because there was voltage, although lower, on that line. So I don't understand why there was voltage on the fridge line with the fuse out.
    2017 T@B 320S   2019 Jeep Cherokee - Southern Connecticut
  • Dutch061
    Dutch061 Member Posts: 765
    Voltage was likely due to feedback on the ground circuit.

    Brad
    2020 400 BDL aka "Boonie"
    2022 Black Series HQ19 aka "Cricket"
    2021 F-250 Tremor with PSD aka "Big Blue"
    Concord, NC 
  • webers3
    webers3 Member Posts: 436
    @Dutch061 Is that bad or ok?
    2017 T@B 320S   2019 Jeep Cherokee - Southern Connecticut
  • Dutch061
    Dutch061 Member Posts: 765
    I'm sure it is fine, sorry to create the concern.

    Brad
    2020 400 BDL aka "Boonie"
    2022 Black Series HQ19 aka "Cricket"
    2021 F-250 Tremor with PSD aka "Big Blue"
    Concord, NC 
  • AnOldUR
    AnOldUR Member Posts: 1,741
    Glad to hear you worked it out. Out of curiosity, which slot was your fridge fuse in?
    Stockton, New Jersey
    2020 nuCamp T@B 320S * Jeep Wrangler
    60,865 camping miles through the end of 2025

  • webers3
    webers3 Member Posts: 436
    @AnOldUR it was in #1. Now I need some cabinet making skills so I can do what you did
    2017 T@B 320S   2019 Jeep Cherokee - Southern Connecticut
  • ckjs
    ckjs Member Posts: 137
    @webers3
    That phantom 11.3v was probably due to the tiny current which powers the “red fuse is blown” LED in the WFCO. The LED is usually shorted out by the fuse, but when that’s blown a trickle current runs through the light and then to the fridge or other load. 
    Charles & Judy, Santa Cruz, CA
    2018 T@B 320 CS-S; Alde 3020; 4 cyl 2020 Subaru Outback Onyx XT
  • AnOldUR
    AnOldUR Member Posts: 1,741
    webers3 said:
    Now I need some cabinet making skills so I can do what you did
    My cabinet making skills are all but nonexistent. I faked it by repurposing the wood from when I pulled out some of the rear cabinetry. The face panel on my pullout is the lid for the rear storage compartment cut down to fit.

    Stockton, New Jersey
    2020 nuCamp T@B 320S * Jeep Wrangler
    60,865 camping miles through the end of 2025

  • Viajero
    Viajero Member Posts: 123
    Glad it worked out for you. What model did you replace it with?
  • webers3
    webers3 Member Posts: 436
    @Viajero Replacing it with ICECO JP50, have used it for over a year and so far so good. Set the temp and forget it, unlike the 3 way
    2017 T@B 320S   2019 Jeep Cherokee - Southern Connecticut
  • AldebaranJill
    AldebaranJill Member Posts: 478
    webers3 said:
    @Viajero Replacing it with ICECO JP50, have used it for over a year and so far so good. Set the temp and forget it, unlike the 3 way

    The JP50 (and JP 30, and JP 40) all seem to be 28.5" in length, while the Norcold Fridge requires 25 5/8" - to fit the IECO, did you have to cut the cabinet or did it fit?

    2013 MAXX T@B towed by a 2015 Volvo S60 5 CYL AWD Sedan
    Seattle, WA -> Palm Springs, CA
  • webers3
    webers3 Member Posts: 436
    @AldebaranJill I didn't have to cut any part of the cabinet but I did have to take off the ICECO handles
    2017 T@B 320S   2019 Jeep Cherokee - Southern Connecticut
  • AldebaranJill
    AldebaranJill Member Posts: 478
    webers3 said:
    @AldebaranJill I didn't have to cut any part of the cabinet but I did have to take off the ICECO handles
    Thank you!!
    2013 MAXX T@B towed by a 2015 Volvo S60 5 CYL AWD Sedan
    Seattle, WA -> Palm Springs, CA

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