The Silver Streak E-mail ListArchive Files[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index][Thread Index] Re: [SilverStreak] Dometic fridge
Curt, On the fridge, the one I bought was a Norcold 2 way, not a Dometic. The Dometic's are the only ones I have seen the IC recall and fail issues. I have slight floor damage to repair on mine (66 Streamline Motor Coach) so I have not yet installed it but did free-stand run it on 120v and used a tiny burglar alarm 12 v gel cell for the 12 v power. It requires the battery to make it operate on anything. Tom Patterson's Dometic has the same requirement of 12 v power. I checked when I bought and all need the low voltage for the controller. The power draw is slight like an LED. I plan to pay special attention to that 12 v power source when installed. I already have 12 supply existing since I removed a 3-way, but I will not use that supply as I cannot control it. I have done lot's of research on the IC controller problems and am convinced the problem is over-voltage from power converters. Like LED's, the voltage limit is 9 to 15 vdc. I have yet to find a converter, even the $800 new "smart" converters that stay below 15 volts finish rate when I check with a digital multi-meter. They all claim a finish rate at 14.8 vdc or less, but will not stay there. These sensitive electronics are like a 6 volt bulb getting hit with 12 volts, even for a moment. All voltage limiter I have tried simply don't work, are too slow, or rate-varied with load and battery health conditions. When I install the new expensive Norcold, I will use the little Gel Cell battery in the ample available area behind the fridge and easily accessible thru the outside vent access cover. I will use a split spade connector on the little battery for the fridge, and to connect a tiny 400 MA universal 12 VDC charger plugged into the duplex outlet already convenient and existing for the 120 V power for the fridge. The little charger's finish rate is an absolute 13.9 VDC and verifies with the digital multi-meter. If the fridge was a 3-way, I would use the coaches 12 V existing supply to operate only the fridges 12v heating element, but not the battery charging or the IC circuit. I also used that existing power for a little compartment convenience fluorescent light. -Eddie- Houston, TX
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