Fridge switch

[tollycraft]

Might seem like a silly question but, do you leave your fridge switch (mine is on the dash) on all the time. I leave it on while hooked on shore power, is this okay. I always wondered that if it was in the on position while on the water and running on battery that when you returned and hooked up to shore power that might damage something on the 12 volt system, however, if I turn the switch off the fridge won't run. Sould I be flipping onother switch on the main panel. Fine time to ask after running tnis boat for a season for a season already. Ready to splash in 3 weeks!!

 

[MLauman]

Not sure about your '88 model, but on my boat the shorepower will run the fridge whether or not the (12v) dash switch is on. Just have to be sure the correct breaker is on - mine is labeled 'outlets / refridgerator', IIRC.

I generally leave the 12v switch on all the time in case the shorepower goes out - I figure it buys me another day or so to keep things cold. Some might argue that you should save that power for bilge pumps, I guess.

 

[mwph]

I have the same (fridge/outlets) breaker on my main pannel which gets turned on as soon as I hook back up to shore power. I never have the switch on the dash "on" while slipped, only while out on the water.

As far as the loss of power.......you can get water cold again, I'll bet its hell pulling the boat up off the bottom of the river. The bildge pump gets first priority in my book.

 

[Iprof]

I have the same set-up as your for the fridge. I leave the 12V on all the time and my batteries to the #2 position. The bilge pump is connected to the starting battery and it is #1, impossible for the fridge to kill the battery to the pump. I turn the 120 breaker off before I disconnect the shore power. The 12v system takes over as soon as the breaker is turned off. We keep our fridge supplied with food, I keep a small plastic bowl (about 2") in the freezer with an ice cube and if it has melted than I know the power failed and my batteries were also drained. In 10 years I have never had the power go off and the batteries drained by the fridge.

Ken