Engel help

[Snapman007]

I have an 80L Engel fridge & freezer combi that seems to be cycling far too much. The fridge is mounted in the walkway of the camper and is wearing the insulating bag/cover.
I have measured some on/off times this morning after a coolish night and before the sun hits the camper.
The camper batts are full and being trickle fed from the Ctek charger.
The thermostat dial is set around 3.1/3.2 with a digital reading of -12deg at the end of the ON cycle.
Cycling times are as follows;
On, 4:46
Off, 5:56
On, 4:45
Off, 5:58
On, 4:47
Off, 5:59
On, 4:50
Off, 5:59
On, 4:53
The fridge was not opened at all during this test.
The fridge was empty during this test.

Is the fridge running too much or is this normal?
This is the only fridge we've owned so have nothing to benchmark it against.
I would appreciate any feedback.

[Bird]

Does it have good ventilation around the sides?

[Jacko]

It will always cycle more often when empty. Try filling with cold bottled water and retest
Cheers

[Steffo1]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^ X2

[Snapman007]

Ventilation all round is good.

In the mean time I've plugged it directly to 240V and retimed the cycles.
A full On/Off cycle takes about 10mins20s which is roughly 25sec less than 12V.
But, the On time is approx 3:45 v 4:48(12V) and Off is approx 6:35 v 5:58(12V).
My rough calcs above mean that over a 24hr period on 12V, the fridge will be On for 144mins more than when on 240V. Does this seem right?


I have just thrown a 30 block of cans and a dozen stubbies in it direct from my icy cold beer fridge. I'll give it time to adjust then retime it.

[Rumpig]

I have same fridge in my fourby, they cycle heaps pretty much. My 40ltr used to cycle about a 5th of what the 80 does. Couldn't give times, but I know the 80 is forever cycling on and off, they are a power hungry sized fridge

[chester ver2.0]

I have same fridge in my fourby, they cycle heaps pretty much. My 40ltr used to cycle about a 5th of what the 80 does. Couldn't give times, but I know the 80 is forever cycling on and off

Same here the 80L is an exponential increase in cycling time and battery drain it is not simply a matter of cycling twice as often as a 40L

As above the more full it is the better they seem to go

[paulo]

Did I read correctly that your fridge was sitting at -12 degrees at the end of a cycle? If it is, you might want to go and check your beers!

[Snapman007]

The digital temp reading is for the freezer. The fridge temp is just on 3deg which is the absolute maximum allowable for beer.

Can anyone explain why it's cycling On 28% more on 12V than 240V and is this the norm?

[Mik01]

my understanding is it takes more energy to cool air than contents of a fridge?
fill it up with food and water as mentioned, then monitor it.

might be the difference...

[chester ver2.0]

The digital temp reading is for the freezer. The fridge temp is just on 3deg which is the absolute maximum allowable for beer.

Can anyone explain why it's cycling On 28% more on 12V than 240V and is this the norm?

It is becuase on 240 volts the fridges brain lets the fans run faster providing more cooling for each cycle therefore less cycles. It winds the fan speed back on 12 volt to conserve battery life

[Muckinhell]

Its more to do with the 240 supplying optimal current wheares 12v may not, depending on voltage drop etc from your battery. during 240v operation it will run more efficiantly and the fan speed as above but fans use bugger all really.