Fridge not working on 12v

[cookie2]

Hi Folks,
wondered if anyone has any ideas?
i have changed from a volvo with 13 pin electrics to a land rover with 13 pin, but land rover fitted a faulty loom with everything in the wrong position! I have just had it sorted today and everthing appears to work apart from there still appears to be no power to the fridge (they tell me that all connectors are wired up!). Could the power down the wrong wire have damaged anything? The relay on the van bulkhead clicks on engine startup and there seems to be power across the relay (13.7 v) on the bulkhead, but no led on the fridge(2005 dometic by the way). 15 amp fuse is ok...could there be another one at the fridge?Could the led have blown and the fridge is actually working?
I have tried the volvo again but that doesn't work either,which makes me think it is the van...unless the van has tripped something on both vehicles!
Just to confuse the issue even more...i haven't used the fridge since the van was last serviced, and they also did a minor bit of bodywork repair to the fridge area after a blowout!
any suggestions greatfully received!
Regards
Dave

 

[Damian]

You need to check the output on pin 10 and return on pin 11 which are the 12v+ on pin 10 and return on 11 with engine running.
There are no fuses on the fridge, but if you can say which model number (RM****) and production number(0092*****) I will have a look and see if has a PCB, which may damaged by wrongful connections.

 

[cookie2]

ok, thanks Damian.
Firstly though ...how can i tell which ones 10 and 11 are as it is a sealed unit i am told.
Thanks

 

[Damian]

On the 13 pin socket on the car, at the 6 O'clock position is a keyway which the plug aligns with.
The first connection on the RIGHT of the keyway is Pin 12, staying on the outer set of pins, the next going upwards is Pin 11 and the next is Pin 10.

 

[cookie2]

Damian,
Just had a look...Dometic- type C40/110,model no. RM7371, prod. no. 00921084170,ser. no. 50100062.
VOLVO-If i got the pins right 10 was giving about 10.7v if i earthed it on the towball, but nothing using 10 and 11 as +&- from what i can tell with the multimeter
LANDROVER- don't know cos wife is out in it!
Cheers
Dave

 

[Damian]

Hello Dave.
It dosent surprise me to find the Volvo not wired correctly, almost all car specific kits for import models do not have the fridge or charging circuits wired as the continentals do not use those connections and you have to specifically instruct that those wires are added .

Unfortunately your fridge does rely on a PCB and also relies on a permanent 12v supply to power the PCB which will be on the Purple and Black wires at the back of the fridge. Without the permanent 12v supply the fridge simply will not work at all.
Also without the power from the alternator on pin 10 AND the earth return on pin 11, again it will not work when towing.

I can only suggest getting a mobile engineer to sort it out for you.
You can try any of the following:
http://www.dometicapproved.co.uk/
http://www.approvedworkshops.co.uk/search/
http://www.mobilecaravanengineers.co.uk/mcea-find-an-engineer.htm

 

[cookie2]

Hi Damian,
That is even more confusing then,because the volvo has been my towcar for the last 7 years now, and the bar was a dealer fit item overseen by a salesman that caravanned,so has been spot on until now . That is why i am so confused as to what is going on.
If only i had tested it when i picked the van up with the volvo from servicing a few weeks ago it would be far clearer:-(
Could it have tripped something on the 2 cars? I will investigate more tomorrow.
Kind regards
Dave

 

[TD42]

yes it could have blown the supply fuse in the car.mine picks up from a 15amp fuse in the cars fuse box.I managed to blow mine when I had to change the 12s socket
yours may pick up direct from the battery with an inline fuse
I beleive it should be a 20a fuse but mine works ok on a 15a fuse

 

[Damian]

Ah!, I misunderstood the length of time you had the Volvo, so you know the fridge was working ok, just the change to the LR and wiring mixup to contend with.
As TD42 says, yes it is quite possible that you have blown the fuse in the car supply and as said, it could be in the fuse box or an in line fuse on a dedicated supply from the battery.
Again, as TD 42 has said, normally they are a 20a fuse.

 

[Bill.D]

Dave there have been many posts on here, mine included, about this problem. My Audi A4 had an expensive factory fitted towbar and I had the same problem. Audi were perplexed but eventully sorted it. Car dealers in the main just do not understand caravan electrics.
I wonder how many owners are unaware that their fridge is not being charged. I only found out when I changed to a newer van with a fridge with digital display that told me there was a problem.
Bill D.