12vdc fridge, will not run when shore power is diconnected

[bobwhorn]

There is a DC breaker for the fridge but it has no effect on the fridge. Turn off shore power and it goes dead.
Thanks,
Bob

[bud37]

Is this something that has just started to happen ? Have you checked for a switch in the fridge itself ...perhaps along the bottom front ?

[km1125]

What kind of fridge? Many DC powered units also have a fuse right at the unit, either on the lead going in, or located on the power supply.

Look on the panels inside the fridge. There's usually a sticker there on the side which gives a lot of information about the make and model.

[buster53]

Are you sure it is an AC/DC refrigerator? The previous owners of our boat had to replace the refrigerator and they went with an AC only model, so just because you have a circuit breaker on the 12 volt panel, doesn’t mean it will work.

[bobwhorn]

The name plate clearly states 12/24 vdc. It's a Coolmatic. All the door shelves are gone. Any possible sources?

[buster53]

The name plate clearly states 12/24 vdc. It's a Coolmatic. All the door shelves are gone. Any possible sources?

Ok, not familiar with that model…however, is it also a 120 volt as you say the name plate only says 12/24. Just maybe, your batteries are getting bad and the refrig only works when plugged into shore power and the battery charger is really running the frig and not the batteries. Just a thought.

[ColRon]

Not familiar with coolmatic, but like buster said above it could be running off your battery charger, if your batteries are going. While hooked up to shore power, switch you battery charger off. If the fridge quits then you know. Generally the compressors on these fridges run on Dc power and where the are ac/dc they have an inverter built in to convert the ac to Dc. So that said if it continues to operate after turning off your battery charger, it is like ac/dc. If running off ac, it is likely running off either your forward outlet circuit or your galley outlet circuit. If Ac side is fine I would look for a fuse on the DC side on the refrigerator itself.

[ColRon]

Just looked and it appears Coolmatic is from Dometic. You should be able to find info on them from Dometic’s website.

[bobwhorn]

It definitely runs off the galley AC breaker. There is a DC breaker for it but it has no effect. Some time down the road I'll have to pull it out.

[km1125]

Without any kind of details anyone is just guessing.