Refrigerator running on DC power only


La Cozzi Vita

La Cozzi Vita

New member
I just purchased a 2003 40PC. So far so good! Before I go pulling panels off, it is safe to assume the refrigerator runs off both AC and DC power. My AC panel does not have a "Refrig" breaker like the DC does. I do have a breaker for "Galley". Currently the Refrigerator is not working unless I turn on the DC breaker. I would rather not have the Refrig run of the bats when I have a genny and while on shore power.
 
technically, it probably only runs off d/c. I say this because most reefers that run off of both a/c and d/c actually convert the a/c power to d/c. unless it has been replaced with a d/c only model, it should run off of a/c power. did you try turning on the galley breaker? seems like some people say that breaker does control the power to the reefer.
 
Formula Tenn said:
technically, it probably only runs off d/c. I say this because most reefers that run off of both a/c and d/c actually convert the a/c power to d/c. unless it has been replaced with a d/c only model, it should run off of a/c power. did you try turning on the galley breaker? seems like some people say that breaker does control the power to the reefer.
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I agree with you, but that is not my question. I am referring to power coming into the unit.

It seems odd to me, that it would run only using DC current supplied by the boat. I am basically asking for clarification that Formula uses units that run using AC power supplied by the boat and DC power. At least that is how all my other boats have been. Mind you, they did have a breaker on the AC panel for refrig. Here I don't have that...

I did turn on Galley Breaker with no positive results.
 
My cabin fridge runs on ac when hooked to shore power and dc when I am on the hook with no generator on. I would be surprised if yours was dc only.

My cockpit fridge runs on dc only, with the battery dedicated being the genny battery, and it has a separate charger as well, adjacent to the main charger. It turns the fridge off if it gets below a certain charge level --I forget the number.

I have a separate breaker for the cockpit and cabin fridges.

2 things I would suggest, 1)break out the fridge manual if you have it, likely an Isotherm, or go to the Isotherm website with your model number and see if it is dc or ac/dc, 2)call TAG.

Hope this helps
 
Turn off the DC breaker, and make sure all A/C breakers are on. See if the light inside fridge works.
Mine is wired off the galley circuit and does not have an a/c breaker marked refrig.
 
Vaporetto 2 said:
My cabin fridge runs on ac when hooked to shore power and dc when I am on the hook with no generator on. I would be surprised if yours was dc only.

My cockpit fridge runs on dc only, with the battery dedicated being the genny battery, and it has a separate charger as well, adjacent to the main charger. It turns the fridge off if it gets below a certain charge level --I forget the number.

I have a separate breaker for the cockpit and cabin fridges.

2 things I would suggest, 1)break out the fridge manual if you have it, likely an Isotherm, or go to the Isotherm website with your model number and see if it is dc or ac/dc, 2)call TAG.

Hope this helps
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Ditto for me
 
GSENT said:
Turn off the DC breaker, and make sure all A/C breakers are on. See if the light inside fridge works.
Mine is wired off the galley circuit and does not have an a/c breaker marked refrig.
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Did that.... It did not light up.

Maybe it's unpluged...
 
pull the reefer and be sure it is plugged in. if it is plugged in, check the outlet to be sure a/c power is getting to the outlet. if you have power at the outlet but the reefer won't run (with the d/c breaker off) then i would agree with TF. if it is an Isotherm, the controller is pretty easy to change out.
 
La Cozzi Vita said:
This morning the refrig is working on AC power. I did nothing???? ???

Maybe there is a delay before AC kicks in.
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mmm, no delay as far as I know...could be a flaky converter...just watch it and at least you know your options.
 
Mine only works on ac. On dc the power light is very dim and it defrosts. Nobody has ever heard of this phenomenon before so therefore my 26 year old norcold is very special. I am blessed.
 
My boat was 15 years old when I bought it ... the Norcold fridge was long ago dead. Twenty-six years is unheard of !!!
 
My cabin fridge turns off when the galley switch is turned on. It took me a while to figure that out...i believe its because the galley switch turns on the microwave and both prob shouldn't be used at the same time?
 
jt239 said:
My cabin fridge turns off when the galley switch is turned on. It took me a while to figure that out...i believe its because the galley switch turns on the microwave and both prob shouldn't be used at the same time?
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The galley switch turns on the AC circuits (at least in my boat) - so once again perhaps your "converter" is fried and your Fridge is only running on DC as well (unknown to you)
 
definitely should not be a problem to run the reefer and microwave at the same time. you must have something else going on.
 
The easiest thing to do is just remove the fridge. Mine has 4 screws in the face frame. The whole thing slides out. You'll see right away if there are 2 power inputs into the Danfoss module. This is the electronics for the fridge compressor. Has inputs for the thermostat, DC and AC power and outputs for the fridge light and fan. They come DC only or AC/DC models. My AC input is actually a cable with a connector on the end that plugs into an AC outlet behind the fridge.
 
I know this is old but thought i would post as this is good info. I found that my cabin fridge was in fact running on DC only as toofast suggested. I just replaced the converter and bam...fridge fires up now when the galley switch is turned on. Good to know mine is working on 110 now. I've performed alot of do it yourself fixes thanks to this forum :cool:
 
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