Fridge question
when traveling to a site we want to cool the fridge down ,on the control panel do I switch the "Vechicle " battery on or the " hab battery" , I know the fridge will need to be switched to 12volt
Comments
-
Unless the fridge is cold before you leave the 12v setting won't cool the fridge at all its only designed to keep it cold once it is cold so you would be better to leave everything in a good cool bag with some ice blocks then put the fridge on gas fire a
couple of hours when you arrive then switch to electric (if you have it) once it's cold, then transfer the food.If it is already cold not knowing make of fridge or van I believe the 12v is fed from the engine so not sure it will make a difference what setting is set. Best thing would be to start the engine from a fully charged battery, put fridge on 12v and see if
the 12v light comes on on each setting. Our Knaus only has 1 12v switch that we turn on no different cab or habitation setting.0 -
Most of the modern fridges are 3 way. They decide which power source to use based on 1st 240v .. 2nd Gas .. 3rd 12v
If you plug the MH in to the mains you should be able to switch the fridge on and leave it to cool for 24 hours. If no mains then you can use gas to cool it before you leave. If it's wired correctly then it will switch to 12v as soon as you turn the engine on and if you stop on the way switch to gas. Some of the early ones need to be set manually.
A fridge should not be wired to run off the engine battery as it could discharge it very quickly.
There will be a relay that is switched on by the alternator to provide the 12v
0 -
when traveling to a site we want to cool the fridge down ,on the control panel do I switch the "Vechicle " battery on or the " hab battery" , I know the fridge will need to be switched to 12volt
Assuming it's the same as it was in my last caravan, that switch is purely to select which battery you're using when parked up ... nothing to do with fridge operation.
0 -
Most of the modern fridges are 3 way. They decide which power source to use based on 1st 240v .. 2nd Gas .. 3rd 12v
If you plug the MH in to the mains you should be able to switch the fridge on and leave it to cool for 24 hours. If no mains then you can use gas to cool it before you leave. If it's wired correctly then it
will switch to 12v as soon as you turn the engine on and if you stop on the way switch to gas. Some of the early ones need to be set manually.A fridge should not be wired to run off the engine battery as it could discharge it very quickly.
There will be a relay that is switched on by the alternator to provide the 12v
Write your comments here...Thats only for an AES fridge, most of them you have to choose the power source!
0 -
husky, to test it at your parents place, start the engine, then turn the fridge to 12v....the power will be coming from the alrernator, not directly from the cab, or hab, battery.
i guess there will be a panel on the fridge with an indicator light, hopefully showint green if its working ok on 12v.
weve always found fridges to be sufficiently effective on 12v to give a reasonable degree of cooling whilst travelling.
at your destination, the fridge should be cold, if all working fine.
0 -
Husky we select battery on our fridge, I understand that it runs off the vehicle battery whilst the engine is running. We leave the battery selection, different place, on neutral, you can select engine or habitation.
We don't keep ours at home but when going away I load the fridge and icebox. I use ice blocks if the fridge isn't full, freezing cartins if juice or milk to fill in gaps if there are any, thats practice that's rare! Never had an issue with food. Just
plug into the mains in arrival.Don't know if it helps you
0 -
Certainly have to choose in our 2012 Lunar. I never select 12 volt as I am able to cool and stock the fridge prior to leaving on our tours. So for what is seldom more than a 4 hour journey the fridge is itself an excellent cool box.
Doesn't really answer the question though .........
0 -
Certainly have to choose in our 2012 Lunar. I never select 12 volt as I am able to cool and stock the fridge prior to leaving on our tours. So for what is seldom more than a 4 hour journey the fridge is itself an excellent cool box.
Doesn't really answer the question though .........
0 -
Every fridge is different but on our old dometic on 12v will not hold the temp down even after its been taken down by the mains or gas, so we travel with the gas on, ok, ok some will sat this should not be done but we do.
0 -
Every fridge is different but on our old dometic on 12v will not hold the temp down even after its been taken down by the mains or gas, so we travel with the gas on, ok, ok some will sat this should not be done but we do.
Write your comments here...if you have the correct regulator thats OK I think howver I do wonder if the gas will stay alight with a 60mph wind blowing in as you drive along?
0 -
Another point to consider is that absorbtion fridges, as fitted to most caravans,as opposed to compression fridges, like you have at home, need to be level in order to work best. Travelling uphill and down dale and round winding roads, is never going to
get the best out of them.0 -
Its true, the flame does go out sometimes, but as we have a thrmometer inside the fridge and a gauge on the outside we see if the temp starts to rise, so it's not a problem for us, its certainly better that using 12v.
As to the level of the van on the move, I dont believe this to be a problem as its due to liquids refusing to go up hill that is the problem when parked but on the move the liquid sloshes about.
0 -
When 3 way absorbtion fridges are set to 12v, AND the vehicle relay is working correctly, the fridge WILL cool , and no thermostat will control it, the 12v element will be active all the time the alternator is turning. At all other times the 12v switch is
inoperative, so neither battery will be used. Using Gas while travelling without a Tripstop regulator is very dangerous, especially on garage forecourts, where naked flames(your pilot light) are illegal. Hope you dont park alongside me on a garage forecourt,
as i fill my car with petrol !!0 -
The comment on fridge on gas when in a garage is a fair one and I will make sure I don't do from now on, I don’t understand the word tripstop, can you explain please.
I have to disagree with “When 3 way absorption fridges are set to 12v, AND the vehicle relay is working correctly, the fridge WILL cool” discussions with other MH's indicates efficiency of these fridges do decline with age
As to use on ferry’s, if the ferry company don't provide electricity plug ins 22 hours or even 50 hours on one occasion is too long plus the ferry company never state “turn of the gas” that I have ever seen but I know the Euro tunnel does.
0 -
Don't ferry operators question you as to whether your gas is turned off? They used to and there used to be warning notices to that effect. It's a common sense safety issue. Burning gas means a naked flame - hold of a ship, close proximity to other vehicles.....
0 -
P & O website
vii. On Short Sea and North Sea routes, gas with a weight of up to 47kg (excluding the weight of the gas receptacle) may be carried. On Irish Sea routes, up to 3 gas cylinders of no more than 11.2kg
may be carried. All cylinders must be adequately secured against movement of the ship with the supply shut off at the cylinders during the voyage. Leaking and inadequately secured or connected cylinders will be refused shipment. Any gas cylinders to be carried
must be declared at the time of booking. Partially full or empty cylinders will be treated as if they are full. A maximum of 6 cylinders of medical oxygen for personal use may be carried, provided a letter from the user's doctor is provided stating that they
require medical oxygen.0 -
"The comment on fridge on gas when in a garage is a fair one and I will make sure I don't do from now on, I don’t understand the word
tripstop, can you explain please."not familiar with Rays specific name but i guess what he is alluding to....
and that is a safety system that allows you to drive with the gas on...Trumas latest names for these is (AFAIK) 'drive safe' and consists of a hose with a rupture detection cutoff button and complementing regulator.
in effect, you need to press the green button on the hose and then the green button (and release slowly) on the regulator.
if a crash is detected, and a pressure drops suddenly, the button closes and, effectively, seals the gas cylinder.
a pretty std system on new/recent vans....
0 -
Seems it's legislative -
Under International and UK legislation passengers wishing to carry gases in cylinders (pressure or gas receptacles) need to comply with the following provisions which the Company are obliged to apply in accordance with the appropriate regulations.
See -
http://www.stenaline.co.uk/FAQs/shipment-of-firearms-and-dangerous-goods/can-i-travel-with-gas
0 -
i wouldnt have a problem complying, on short crossings, turning the fridge off for a couple of hours isnt an issue...if we are on a long crossing we just wouldnt be carrying very much in there anyway.
its not difficult to get fresh supplies on arrival....
0
