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Sandgroper
Sandgroper Forum Participant Posts: 210
edited February 2020 in Towcars & Towing #1

Just having an interesting discussion on another site regarding the power transmitted to the towed caravan. The point in question is a comment in the Skoda Owners Manual that if more than 350watts is required it could damage the cars electrics.

The calls on power are road lights, caravan battery charger (maybe to a flat battery) and fridge. Has anyone any accurate readings for any of these items?

The lights can simply be added up, but how much does a flat battery demand or is allowed to take, how much does a fridge require when on tow?

There are some very knowledgeable tow-ers out there I know and I would be interested in any reliable information.  

Comments

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
    1000 Comments
    edited February 2020 #2

    The smaller fridge in my last caravan drew about 10 amps so that's 120 watts ... no idea what a flat battery will draw though but even if it drew the same as the fridge, then that would still leave around 100 watts to play with. Nothing like the 350 watts max that VAG suggest as a max.

  • Oneputt
    Oneputt Club Member Posts: 9,144 ✭✭✭
    2,500 Likes 1000 Comments
    edited February 2020 #3

    How about a couple of frozen bottles of milk for the fridge and don’t switch it ob whilst hitched that will keep the fridge cool and cut the power drain

  • Sandgroper
    Sandgroper Forum Participant Posts: 210
    edited February 2020 #4

    I have an old caravan maintenance guide which lists caravan battery charging current as 8amp to two amps and indicates a 1 amp fuse on the fridge connection! When on tow fridges are hardly functioning and we usually pack the freezer and fridge with freeze blocks if there is a need to keep food cool while we travel. I really don't know what a flat battery would draw tbh, but I would be surprised if it was much higher that 8 amps. I will check my fuse block when next I have access to it, just out of curiosity.

    I tend to agree with MM and I am pretty sure that modern electrics are so fused to prevent overload.

  • lagerorwine
    lagerorwine Forum Participant Posts: 310
    edited February 2020 #5

    Most fridges I've come across have at least 100w elements. If already down to temperature before setting off, it will not be pulling power all the time though.

    1 amp fridge fuse? Perhaps for the control circuit?

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