What is powering the fridge light when in storage?

ColBur
ColBur Forum Participant Posts: 72
edited June 2016 in Caravans #1

We have recently purchased a 2016 model Bailey Unicorn Madrid and are thrilled with it! My query relates to the installed fridge. Even when in storage ( ie no mains power) the interior fridge light comes on whenever the power selector on the fridge is moved
to 240v or 12v and the door is opened. The 12v supply (along with everything else!) on the main control panel is 'off'.! Turn the fridge power source selector to 'off' and the light goes outI

I understand there is a battery to ignite the gas and wondered if this also powers the interior light. I haven't left it on for any length of time to see if the actual fridge starts working as I obviously don't want to drain the leisure battery.

Any thoughts much appreciated!

Comments

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
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    edited June 2016 #2

    The caravan's leisure battery powers both the fridge light & the ignition when starting up on gas

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
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    edited June 2016 #3

    The internal light is run via the c/van 12volt supply and will always work until the fridge is turned off ,the fridge itself will not run off the 12v van supply ,it only runs on 12v when coupled to the tow vehicle and the engine is running 

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,155 ✭✭✭
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    edited June 2016 #4

    Has the fridge been turned off on its control panel? You have gas, 12v, 240v and off settings.

  • DSB
    DSB Club Member Posts: 5,695 ✭✭✭
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    edited June 2016 #5

    ....remember you 2016 Unicorn Madrid has a solar panel too, although I haven't worked out exactly how it works with everything else yet. It obviously keeps the battery topped up.

    David 

  • SUBBY
    SUBBY Forum Participant Posts: 36
    edited June 2016 #6

    while I don't know your caravan it is quite obvious that you are leaving the 12v system on your fridge will run on any of the three systems independently of each other

  • Vicmallows
    Vicmallows Forum Participant Posts: 580
    500 Comments
    edited June 2016 #7

    I would hope that turning OFF the 12v at the main switch panel meant exactly that.....no iffs , buts, oh its a fridge, or anything.

  • birderbilly
    birderbilly Forum Participant Posts: 349
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    edited June 2016 #8

    The reason it does not work like that is because when towing you want the fridge to run off 12v even tho the main 12v system is turned off.  When in storage just turn the fridge to off.

  • SteveL
    SteveL Club Member Posts: 12,311 ✭✭✭
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    edited June 2016 #9

    I would have thought so as well Vicmallows. Ours van is a Unicorn 2, but I will check next time we are across at the storage. We always turn the fridge dial to off. However, if we forgot would the light be on, as we leave the door open? Thanks ColBur for raising this issue.

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
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    edited June 2016 #10

     ..... We always turn the fridge dial to off. However, if we forgot would the light be on,  .....

    Yes .....

    that's what happened on my Lunar with a manual switch of off/mains/12v/gas

    You could always open the door & have a look Innocent and then turn the switch to 'off' and see the light go off

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,155 ✭✭✭
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    edited June 2016 #11

    The fridge control requires a 12v supply, regardless of the fridge's main power source for cooling, and this supply is always live unless turned off at the fridge control panel. If this was not the case, it would be impossible to use the fridge with the van electrics turned off at the van control panel, eg when towing/driving.



    The fridge cooling element only runs on 12v when the car is plugged in and running (or the MH engine is running).


     

    Therefore, you need to turn off the fridge to cut the 12v supply and resolve the issue of the light.
  • nelliethehooker
    nelliethehooker Club Member Posts: 13,657 ✭✭✭
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    edited June 2016 #12

    This therefore means that you must remember to turn the fridge switch to the 12volt position before you set off towing for the cooling element to operate. It's easy to forget to do this if you've turned it of when in storage.

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,155 ✭✭✭
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    edited June 2016 #13

    Definitely, Nellie. The fridge control panel switch is always the last thing we alter before hitting the road and the first thing we set once hooked up. At home it goes to off.

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
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    edited June 2016 #14

    This therefore means that you must remember to turn the fridge switch to the 12volt position before you set off towing for the cooling element to operate. It's easy to forget to do this if you've turned it of when in storage.

    But a 2016 caravan will be able to select the power source itself. We've just sold a Lunar that had the panel you've just described ie you'd to manually select 12v before you set off. Our new Coachman has an all singing all dancing fridge that sorts itself
    out when you select Auto

  • nelliethehooker
    nelliethehooker Club Member Posts: 13,657 ✭✭✭
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    edited June 2016 #15

    This therefore means that you must remember to turn the fridge switch to the 12volt position before you set off towing for the cooling element to operate. It's easy to forget to do this if you've turned it of when in storage.

    But a 2016 caravan will be able to select the power source itself. We've just sold a Lunar that had the panel you've just described ie you'd to manually select 12v before you set off. Our new Coachman has an all singing all dancing fridge that sorts itself
    out when you select Auto

    OOOOO, posh you are!!Wink

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
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    edited June 2016 #16

    ....

    OOOOO, posh you are!!Wink

    I should have said my 'new' Coachman ..... it's 3 yrs old Cool but as new  Laughing

  • ColBur
    ColBur Forum Participant Posts: 72
    edited June 2016 #17

    Thanks for all your comments! Most en'lightening'!!

     

  • nelliethehooker
    nelliethehooker Club Member Posts: 13,657 ✭✭✭
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    edited June 2016 #18

    Thanks for all your comments! Most en'lightening'!!

     

    Glad we were of some assistance. Good to have reponse from the OP'er

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