Hi all,
reading back through this discussion, it seems the usual thing is happening, which is, someone asks a reasonable question, and sooner or later everyone is discussing something completely different, and the question never gets answered.
johnandrew70 asked if he could run his fridge from solar panels.
He did not specify mains or 12v.
My reply clearly explained that he could NOT run his fridge on 12v as the panels would not be powerful enough.
The comments about the electrical systems whist towing are irrelevant, as the van would be parked up and disconnected from the towing vehicle.
I also stated that "if" he had the old type panel with the ability to choose the "van" or "car" battery function, he could run from the van battery as my friends do.
I have just returned from a trip to France with friends, one has a 2007 Bailey ranger, and the other has a 2006 Abbey. Both have the panels with this function.
Both these friends disconnected their electrics from the car on the overnight ferry, and switched their panels to the "van" setting on the control panel, which allowed them both to run the fridge on 12v overnight. It didn't matter if the batteries were flattened, as we had a long drive, and hook ups when we got to site. Next morning the panels were reset to "car" and the fridges go off, until the car starts up and the fridge comes back on again.
I cannot see how two different vans from two different manufacturers can act the same way, if this function was not "standard" on these old panels.
The previous year, when they did this I didn't think it could be done, but they proved me wrong and showed me the fridge working on 12v no car connected, whilst we were on site.
Therefore IF johnandrew70 has this function on his control panel it might be the same, but as its a swift he would have to check himself.