Dometic fridge issue...

[Geek]

Thanks. It's lead acid 12V 110AH Expedition Plus Semi Traction Leisure Battery, using the engine every day at the moment

How are you charging the battery?

 

[Geek]

I have a state of charge meter where all -ve connections have to go via a shunt. Does that restrict the amount of current that can be supplied?

No

 

[benk]

Add

This is a common issue with Compressor fridges, people look at the consumption figures and choose a cable size accordingly but that doesn't allow for the much higher current drawn momentarily when starting up. Sounds like yours is right on the cusp of being adequate. Increase the cable guage, you may get away with doing just the pos or neg only if you do just one and retry it but bear in mind things get worse as the battery voltage gets lower so probably best to build in a safety margin and do both.

thanks Merl, sounds like this is the most likely issue and hopefully not too much of a ballache to resolve! - what type of cable would you recommend using?

 

[merl]

Add

thanks Merl, sounds like this is the most likely issue and hopefully not too much of a ballache to resolve! - what type of cable would you recommend using?

Something approximately twice the gauge as being used currently.
You could semi bodge it by paralleling up the existing with something of a similar size, It'll save you a bit.of dosh..... probably not worth it and could also cause a bit of head scratching when you or someone else has to work on the van.in the future.

 

[merl]

I have a state of charge meter where all -ve connections have to go via a shunt. Does that restrict the amount of current that can be supplied?

Possibly, it depends on the maximum current rating of the shunt. Shunts generate heat, this could become an issue if you run them close to their max rating for long periods. The TR16 type also stop Coulomb counting at about 20% above their max rating, don't know about the blue ones.