Cool fridge on the move

[Deborah_5075490]

We have not had our new caravan long and are having problems with the fridge, in that the fridge doesn't stay very cool while travelling. We have had the towbar and electrics professionally fitted so cannot understand what is wrong. We are concerned because we are planning a trip to turkey of all places and would like to keep the food cool so as not to go down with a tummy bug!

many thanks in anticipation of your replies

Deborah

 

[AnnM1]

Hello Deborah

Did you buy your caravan from a dealer? If you did I suggest you return it and ask them to check that the fridge is in sound working order. This should be included in your warranty.

We had a similar problem but it was because there were so many switches inside the van that it took us a couple of trips out to find out which ran the fridge. Apparently, I am given to understand that the fridge is run from the 'reverse light' system so if your reverse light on the van is working it should be OK.

Whatever it is worth having the van checked out.

Hope this is helpful.

 

[Tony A.]

the fridge will not stay as cold while traveling as it does on site ie, 240v. the 12 volt system will only keep things coolish,

try freezing bread etc at home before starting out, it should stay frozen for some time and help the 12v system keep things cold ,and you can always refreeze while stopping over night.

good luck Tony A.

 

[BigAl1]

Hello Deborah

Did you buy your caravan from a dealer? If you did I suggest you return it and ask them to check that the fridge is in sound working order. This should be included in your warranty.

We had a similar problem but it was because there were so many switches inside the van that it took us a couple of trips out to find out which ran the fridge. Apparently, I am given to understand that the fridge is run from the 'reverse light' system so if your reverse light on the van is working it should be OK.

Whatever it is worth having the van checked out.

Hope this is helpful.

The only common thing that the fridge and the reverse lamps have in common is the fact that they both are connected to the tow vehicle the grey 12S socket and plug so I respectfully disagree with this advice.

 

[WatsonJohnG]

The fridge normally works direct from the car 12V system via relay and goes direct to the fridge (possibly via a fuse)so the switches car/caravan should make no difference to the fridge operation

It used to be possible with fridges that had warning lights to see that the power was getting to the fridge.

I have fitted a neon to the 230V and an LED to the 12V for this purpose.

The new (since 1996ish)wiring requires a dedicated fridge earth wire to the centre pin of the grey 12S socket.

It might be worth checking if this is in place

 

[PaulIrons]

The fridge normally works direct from the car 12V system via relay and goes direct to the fridge (possibly via a fuse)so the switches car/caravan should make no difference to the fridge operation

It used to be possible with fridges that had warning lights to see that the power was getting to the fridge.

I have fitted a neon to the 230V and an LED to the 12V for this purpose.

The new (since 1996ish)wiring requires a dedicated fridge earth wire to the centre pin of the grey 12S socket.

It might be worth checking if this is in place

John, I had this problem last trip out but might have been the case all along and Ive only just noticed. Whilst stopped in a lay by and getting a drink from the fridge I noticed the door light never came on when opening the fridge door, was wondering if this light still works whilst connected to the car.

 

[sparkes]

A common mistake made now is people switch the car/caravan switch to car when towing. On our van (2005 Ace) the fridge only works while the switch is set to van while towing.

Had it checked at the dealer and he said this is normal now

Steve

 

[Dave_5040181]

A common mistake made now is people switch the car/caravan switch to car when towing. On our van (2005 Ace) the fridge only works while the switch is set to van while towing.

Had it checked at the dealer and he said this is normal now

Steve

I think he is pulling the wool. The fridge will work if left on van but it is drawing charge from the van battery.The fridge probably draws poer faster than the car can recharge it.

 

[BigAl1]

John, I had this problem last trip out but might have been the case all along and Ive only just noticed. Whilst stopped in a lay by and getting a drink from the fridge I noticed the door light never came on when opening the fridge door, was wondering if this light still works whilst connected to the car.

What 'van do you have with a light that comes on when you open the door?

 

[WatsonJohnG]

Paul the interior light will work off the van battery and when the car engine is running the fridge circuit energises the habitation relay which cuts off the van interior lights etc so you would not expect the fridge interior light to work then.

Steve I think that you will find that it will still work with the car/van switch in the off position.

It does on our 2003 Ace and has on all our recent vans as the fridge is wired to only run from the car when the alternator is charging.As a fridge can use 15 amps a van battery would not last long.

It will not draw current from the van battery if it is wired correctly from the car battery via pin 6 with pin 7 as earth.

 

[WatsonJohnG]

I've just copied this from the Dometic website:

The machine's 12V connection cable is connected (observing correct polarity ) to a terminal strip.The cabling must be direct and by the shortest possible route to the battery and alternator respectively.

The heating element circuit must be connected to the vehicle battery by a suitable ignition operated relay in order that the 12V supply is only live while the vehicle engine is switched on.

It is recommended that the electronic re-igniter and the interior light is connected to the on-board auxillary battery.

It goes on to say the the power source from the ignition circuit and the power source from the van battery should not be connected in the caravan (because then you would get the van battery discharged by the fridge when the ignition was off)

Hope that helps to clarify things

 

[blackrat]

Don't forget to pre cool the fridge on mains or gas overnight. 12v power maintains the cooled fridge, rather than cools it.

 

[milliemop]

the fridge will not stay as cold while traveling as it does on site ie, 240v. the 12 volt system will only keep things coolish,

try freezing bread etc at home before starting out, it should stay frozen for some time and help the 12v system keep things cold ,and you can always refreeze while stopping over night.

good luck Tony A.

If the wiring from car to van is correct then the fridge will get colder and colder as you travel (the power supply is fed directly from the car battery) there is no thermostatic control in this mode, --------only when you are on the van's own power ie: van battery, 240v, or gas does the thermostat respond.