Thetford DC558 - Manuel (Page 8)

Installation Manual 8
Do not use a converter or a battery charger to supply the DC power to the refrigerator. These devices do
not supply filtered DC power. When using a converter or a battery charger, make sure a battery is in-line
between them and the refrigerator.
As the distance from the vehicle battery to the refrigerator increases, the correct AWG wire size also increases. If the wire size is too
small for the distance, a voltage drop occurs. The voltage drop decreases the cooling performance of the refrigerator.
1. Find the minimum wire size to use:
Use only the recommended wire size.
- Measure the distance from the vehicle battery to the refrigerator:
- If the distance is 0 - 12 feet, use #12 AWG min. wire size.
- If the distance is 12-20 feet, use #10 AWG min. wire size.
- If the distance is over 20 feet, use #8 AWG min. wire size.
2. To protect the DC power supply wiring, install a 15 amp fuse or circuit breaker in the positive (+) DC power supply wire as close to
the battery as possible.
3. Connect the DC power supply wires (See Art02507):
If the DC power supply leads are attached incorrectly, the refrigerator will not operate.
- Connect the positive (+) DC power supply lead to the red wire [99]
of the refrigerator.
- Connect the negative (-) DC power supply lead to the black wire
[224] of the refrigerator.
- Make sure that:
- Each DC power supply lead is attached to the correct polarity
wire of the refrigerator power supply.
- The chassis or the vehicle frame is not used as one of the
conductors.
- The DC power supply wires including the fuses are routed
directly from the battery to the refrigerator.
- The wire connections must be clean, tight and free of corrosion. If any of these items are not correct:
- A voltage drop to the refrigerator will occur.
- The voltage drop will decrease the cooling performance of the refrigerator.
Disconnect the positive (+) DC power supply wire from the battery before you do a “fast charge” of the
battery. Failure to disconnect the positive (+) power supply wire from the battery during a “fast charge” can
cause damage to the refrigerator or other DC appliances.
CAUTION
!
WARNING
!
CAUTION
!
NOTICE
224
99
ART 02507