A Stupid Question Regarding Gas Fridges

Threebarkingdogs
Threebarkingdogs Forum Participant Posts: 23
edited April 2018 in Motorhomes #1

Once a gas fridge is fired up does it need the electrical system to be on?

I ask because:

1. I don't know...

2. On our Autotrail the bathroom light is always on when the electrics are on and it gets on my pip at night!

 

This leads onto a secondary question. Why is there no off switch for my bathroom light or is it hidden somewhere to keep it away from the water... and if so where might it be?

 

Cheers

Andy

Comments

  • EasyT
    EasyT Forum Participant Posts: 16,194
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    edited April 2018 #2

    As far as I am aware modern fridges running on gas still require 12 volt supply for the controls in order to function

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,142 ✭✭✭
    10,000 Likes 1000 Comments Name Dropper
    edited April 2018 #3

    I agree with Easy. The control panel of the fridge is powered by the leisure battery, not mains supply, no matter what power source is selected for the cooling function. 

    There will be a switch for the washroom light somewhere. Perhaps outside of the washroom. Tell us the model of your MH and someone else here may know the secret. 

  • brue
    brue Forum Participant Posts: 21,176 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited April 2018 #4

    If it's any help our bathroom lights are circular and there is a switch in the outer rim, you have to feel around the edge as it's not prominent.

  • Unknown
    Unknown Forum Participant
    edited April 2018 #5
    The user and all related content has been Deleted User
  • Navigateur
    Navigateur Club Member Posts: 3,880 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited April 2018 #6

    I have a stand-alone gas fridge (also runs on 12v and mains) that does not require 12v to function.  Ignition is peizioelectric spark. Use it in summertime in the Land Rover - so it does not get much use!

    If the OP is that way inclined, the toilet light could be taken off the panel to find out where the wires come from.

  • KeithandMargaret
    KeithandMargaret Forum Participant Posts: 660
    500 Comments
    edited April 2018 #7

    Switch - feel under the bottom of the bathroom cupboard or under the bathroom shelf - depends on which model Autotrail you have.

  • Threebarkingdogs
    Threebarkingdogs Forum Participant Posts: 23
    edited April 2018 #8

    Cheers all.

    RE the switch I shall go and grope around in the bathroom to see if I can find it...!

    It is an Autotrail Tracker SE 2004 on a Fiat.

     

    Andy

     

  • TonyIshUK
    TonyIshUK Forum Participant Posts: 296
    100 Comments
    edited April 2018 #9

    Ref  12v supply for fridge design. I suspect that fridges use an automatic pizzo lighting system to reignite the gas flame , when the flame goes out.   (You can hear the clicking before it lights, or if there is no gas)

    No flame, not lit, then the gas supply will be shut off automatically to prevent gas flowing from the burner when the supply is re established,  

    it requires the 12v to reset the flame failure device, and fire up the pizzo to get everything started.

    Depending upon the intelligence of design,  the fridge and the heater may have thier own 12v supply independent of the habitation electrics.  Both need the supply to be on for safety reasons.

     

    rgds

  • H B Watson
    H B Watson Forum Participant Posts: 183
    edited April 2018 #10

    On old fridges there was a pilot light so they didn't need electricity, but as far as I am aware all modern caravan fridges use 12V to light the gas as well as run the required control system.

  • bobthebodger
    bobthebodger Forum Participant Posts: 33
    edited April 2018 #11

    Interesting talking about gas fridges but is ok to assume that a gas fridge is ok to use whilst sleeping in the motor home or caravan at night, ive never needed to use the fridge on gas yet but soon will do. Thanks

    BTB

  • JD6620
    JD6620 Forum Participant Posts: 202
    100 Comments
    edited April 2018 #12

    Yes it's perfectly fine to sleep in a motorhome with a gas fridge running.  You could always fit a carbon monoxide alarm to be on the safe side.

    From what I can remember from our 2005 Tracker the washroom light switch is tucked up underneath the cupboard to the left as you go in the door.

  • Threebarkingdogs
    Threebarkingdogs Forum Participant Posts: 23
    edited April 2018 #13

    Thanks for the replies.

    After groping about in the washroom I found the switch hiding up under the towel rail. My better half, who is vertically challenged and thus has a better view of the underneath of things, said "Oh that switch, I wondered what it was for". Words were had and there was no more groping...