SailNet Community banner
  • SailNet is a forum community dedicated to Sailing enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about sailing, modifications, classifieds, troubleshooting, repairs, reviews, maintenance, and more!

Do I need a voltage regulator for my new Engel fridge?

4088 Views 7 Replies 6 Participants Last post by  Minnewaska
I am about to install my new Engel fridge (MB40 drop-in model) and I came across something in the manual that left me a bit confused. They say to connect the fridge directly to the battery (with a 10a fuse near the source) and then go on to say that higher voltages can damage the compressor. I've seen my alternator put out 14.2 volts, though usually it's a bit less, and my solar panels are putting out more than 13 volts during the day. My question is this- will the higher voltage when I'm running the engine or solar charging hurt the fridge? I can't imagine a 12v fridge made for boats and RVs wouldn't be able to operate in the 12-14v range, but I'm no expert... The manual does mention that a voltage regulator should be installed if the fridge is connected to a generator to avoid surges.

Thanks in advance!
1 - 2 of 8 Posts
Thanks for the replies. I have a solar controller, so I don't think there will be any high voltage coming from the panels. I'll contact Engel, but I wanted to hear from other owners first as sometimes the manufacturer errs on the side of caution and will suggest adding a voltage regulator to avoid warranty issues.
1 - 2 of 8 Posts
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top