just collected van for easter and noted that the fridge is not working when connected to car electrics - how can i test if it is the car or van electrics that are at fault?
you will not know the fridge is working until the engine has reach a high number of revs. this is to protect your battery on the car.some fridges do light up slightly it depends on what the relay is set at.get someone to rev up high and see if it lights the switch.this must be set to car.
------------- the only silly question is the one you do not ask.
Quote: Originally posted by michael on 01/4/2011
you will not know the fridge is working until the engine has reach a high number of revs. this is to protect your battery on the car.some fridges do light up slightly it depends on what the relay is set at.get someone to rev up high and see if it lights the switch.this must be set to car.
Sorry but you are wrong. Modern cars charge above battery voltage at tickover. therefore the fridge should work. Alternators make between 13.8v/14.2v.but your fridge should work at anything over 12v.
rabbin8 is quite right. When cars were fitted with a dynamo many years ago it was a known fact that it didn't charge the car battery on tick over but only when the revs were applied. Since the alternator was introduced the car battery will charge whilst the engine is running regardless of how many revs are being produced. Due this fact, the power to the towbar electrics should be permanently active when the engine is started up and ticking over.
I would agree with Michael. For the fridge to operate you need the relay to work, and this will depend on how it is set, and indeed if it is working or has failed for some reason.
Running the fridge is separate from charging the battery.
Hi stagette, on the van control panel there is a switch that has 3 positions, caravanvan,centre of,f and car, this is set to the car position when towing, on the fridge there are two switches one for AC and one for DC12V, the DC switch is on the left hand side of fridge,that switch has to be turned on(it may be of the illumanated kind).when car started (if illuminated) the bulb will light telling you power going to fridge,(power to fridge from car only keeps fridge from thawing out while traveling, it will not chill the fridge) If you have no bulb in switch, could pull out the switch and use test meter or test light on rear of switch and test that way. hope this has been of help.
------------- If everything runs smoothly then I must have done something wrong
If in Doubt Check it Out.
To check there is power at car socket...With engine running put voltmeter across pins 6 & 7 on grey 12s socket or pins10 & 11 on 13pin socket. Fridges often don't work that well on 12v especially if old. Even after a fair run it probably won't even feel cold inside. Check by feeling tubes inside freezer compartment, if they feel cold it is working.
The 12V operation is for ‘on the road’ use and will only operate when the towing vehicle engine is running, but it is not a ‘second best’. On the contrary, cooling in this mode is just as good as it is on gas or mains electricity. However, remember that in 12v operation, cooling only operates at the maximum setting – there is no thermostat fitted in the 12V circuit unless you have one of the new Dometic 7 series refrigerators. Also, because of the relatively high current consumption of a refrigerator when on 12V (approximately 7 - 13 amps depending on model), mains or gas should be used whilst on site.
CCClub....though this may help
------------- the only silly question is the one you do not ask.
Quote: Originally posted by Tentz on 01/4/2011
Fridges often don't work that well on 12v especially if old. Even after a fair run it probably won't even feel cold inside. Check by feeling tubes inside freezer compartment, if they feel cold it is working.
You can sometimes tell if its working by the heat coming out of the vent.
Mine was useless on 12v, it would take half a days drive to even tell any difference. I found it easier just to cool down the fridge with freezer blocks, plus any frozen food for the next few days, put that and all the other the food in on the day of the journey, and start up with EHU or gas when you get where you're going. Fridges make excellent cool boxes!
The 12V operation is for ‘on the road’ use and will only operate when the towing vehicle engine is running, but it is not a ‘second best’. On the contrary, cooling in this mode is just as good as it is on gas or mains electricity. However, remember that in 12v operation, cooling only operates at the maximum setting – there is no thermostat fitted in the 12V circuit unless you have one of the new Dometic 7 series refrigerators. Also, because of the relatively high current consumption of a refrigerator when on 12V (approximately 7 - 13 amps depending on model), mains or gas should be used whilst on site.
CCClub....though this may help
Hi michael, Thanks for that info. This is news to me as,When I bought my van I was informed the fridge would only keep fridge temp. at the temp. that it was running at prior to towing.(run 2hours or more prior to journey, and would only keep it at that temp,as it would not cool it enough on a journey and be ready for use at destination) (alwas thought that was a bit strange) so looks like I had been misinformed when I got van.
------------- If everything runs smoothly then I must have done something wrong
If in Doubt Check it Out.
I would generally disagee with that info(from the CCClub)& I'm sure many on here would as well. Maybe a new fridge might perfom ok on 12v but generally as they get older they don't, despite the fridge working ok on gas or mains.
50/50 for me i do not think it will operate the freezer box to frozen on tow,it will keep the fridge and freezer box cool.i always switch on the fridge two days before leaving,obviously this is not possible if you pick up from a storage site.adding frozen food does help lots.mind you leaving all the meat at home does not go down well believe me.
------------- the only silly question is the one you do not ask.
Quote: Originally posted by jhsw on 01/4/2011
Hi stagette, on the van control panel there is a switch that has 3 positions, caravanvan,centre of,f and car, this is set to the car position when towing,.....
This is not necessarily correct, you should follow the instructions in your handbook. In Swift Group vans for example, you can leave it in "caravan" position all the time
The actual purpose of the "car" position is to allow power from the car battery to be used to power the 12v lights, pump etc in the van should the van battery be flat.
Quote: Originally posted by michael on 03/4/2011
50/50 for me i do not think it will operate the freezer box to frozen on tow,it will keep the fridge and freezer box cool.i always switch on the fridge two days before leaving,obviously this is not possible if you pick up from a storage site.adding frozen food does help lots.mind you leaving all the meat at home does not go down well believe me.
I put ours on the day before, it is cold within a few hours. This then lets me pack all the food the night before.
Doesn't seem if anyone else has asked if you have changed your car since you last had the van out?
From my own experience BMW doesn't connect the pin needed for the fridge, and you only find out when you've tried everything else. As far as I'm aware some of the other manufacturers are the same.
Also my experience of an Abbey caravan, and having read my manuals (boring old git, me), you need to set the 3 way 12 volt switch to "caravan battery" not "car" for the fridge to maintain its temperature whilst travelling; its unlikely to be able to reduce temperature though. I quite often take a frozen bolognaise or similar on outward trip for first meal which also helps to keep fridge cool (especially if you're going on a ferry). Dan
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: fridge
