Wiring Required for EverChill 10 Refrigerator in 2019 RV

Published 01/14/2019

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Question:

Thank you for your response Jason S. to my question about EverChill refrigerator wiring. I have attached a page from the refrigerator manual about the wiring for this 12volt dc model. There is no plug in receptacle for this refrigerator it only goes on dc power. Since A/C does run on 120amp the 10 gauge wire should be fine. Not sure about refrigerator. Any other suggestions? Thanks again.

asked by: Wayne C

Expert Reply:

The Everchill Refrigerator for RVs - Frost Free - Double Door - Stainless Steel - 10 Cu Ft - 12V # 324-000119 has a current rating of 11 amps at 12 volts. 12 gauge wire at 20 feet is rated to offer 20 to 22 amps, so I don't know why they are saying a max length for that gauge is 15 feet to provide that voltage. It must be that their current rating is for sustained running power and maybe doesn't account for the startup or that they are accounting for a percentage of voltage loss.

If you look at some of the online charts accounting for a 3-5% voltage loss for that amperage, then they say to double the run and for your now 40 feet you will need 6 AWG wire as you stated but that seems extremely excessive. Exactly 11 amps isn't really on any chart I see, so if you bump up to 15 amps which is most likely the breaker size your are running it from, you could use 8 gauge for that 20 foot run and still be overly safe with a significant added expense.

The thing I keep coming back to is I've never seen anything over 10 gauge like # 10-1-1 run to any RV receptacle for any appliance on any RV including this very refrigerator. So the thicker gauge wire only adds additional expense. I can't imagine you would need anything heavier than that 10 gauge wire. Even complete RV air conditioners run off that 10 gauge wire so that is my recommendation.

expert reply by: Jason S

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Wayne

1/14/2019

Jason S.

1/14/2019

Thanks for your photo. Based on the manual you still should be fine with 10 gauge wire for your 20 foot run. The manufacturer has made it cut and dry in the manual that the 12 gauge wire was not sufficient for the run and the voltage required, but that 10 gauge is sufficient. It sounds like your refrigerator was getting less than the 10.5 volts required for your compressor so it stopped. The 10 gauge wire will allow for normal use with a reliable connection to your DC power source as long as the run isn't over 20 feet. If it is even slightly longer you would then need the 8 gauge wire. You can always go with thicker wire like the 8 or 6 gauge wire for that 20 foot run if you prefer as it will help better transfer power, but it is not required based on the manufacturer's manual. I can't imagine your 2019 trailer is out of warranty, so I'd take it back to the dealer with your manual to have them fix the issue for you.