Swap 12v for 120v Fridge Element? UPDATE 2
EDIT--it turned out you can't swap them--they are not the same and it would fry things if you applied 120v to the 12v element ---------------------- UPDATE 25 Jan--12v is cooling down the freezer....
Forum Discussion
Please do expect such a swap to lead to disaster. It will (I predict) happen within milliseconds, when the 12 volt element burns out all but instantly. Such heating elements consist of an outer case and a wire, the diameter of which has been calibrated to produce the heat needed. Heating elements are essentially just light bulbs with opaque shells.
If you've ever put a 12 volt bulb on a 120 volt circuit, you'd know it will behave like a flashbulb: one blink of blinding light and it's burned out. That is exactly what will happen, only you won't see the light, you'll only hear the bang. It will likely blow the fuse and kick the circuit breaker off, but they will react too slowly to save your heating element from destruction.
If you've ever put a 12 volt bulb on a 120 volt circuit, you'd know it will behave like a flashbulb: one blink of blinding light and it's burned out. That is exactly what will happen, only you won't see the light, you'll only hear the bang. It will likely blow the fuse and kick the circuit breaker off, but they will react too slowly to save your heating element from destruction.
