Trace/Frig. [RE-wrenches]

[Kurt Nelson]

Greetings Wrenchers,

I've got an installation with a Trace U2512.  One of its primary loads is a
newer General Electric 10 C.F. manual defrost frig/freezer (model number
TAX10SNXCRWH).  It is pretty efficient for an off the shelf unit, averaging
approximately 750 WH a day, with the compressor drawing a little less than
10 amps out of the 12 volt battery.  Problem is the Trace periodically has
problems starting the compressor.   The surge load is not that great, but
apparently the compressor doesn't like the modified square wave form.  When
the compressor does not start, the frig just groans for perhaps 10 seconds
and then clicks off (thermal switch?).  It tries again after a few minutes
and sometimes starts or maybe not.  It has always started eventually, but
doesn't sound like a good deal.  The older, small  "dormitory sized" frig
that used to be on the same inverter did exactly the same thing.  I have
metered the voltage and Hz while the frig is unsuccessfully trying to start
and the voltage is good but the hz is strange.  My Fluke 87 often reads
something like 180, which is a harmonic of the 60 cycles I should be seeing.
It comes down to 60 cycles if I turn on a resistive load at the same time,
and then the frig usually takes off.   I have, however,  seen even more
unusual hz from time to time.  Am I just picking up a harmonics, or is
something else going on here?  If I wire up a small incandescent light to
come on with the compressor, how small a wattage can I 
use and still get a power shift?  Any thoughts?  

Thanks for your time and consideration -- Kurt Nelson, SOLutions

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