hot zig

[rainman]

I've been camping without electric hook-up lately just for weekends but decided to plug my van into the mains to run the fridge and charge the battery for a few hours before setting off on Saturday. Everything seemed to work but I noticed that the zig was quite hot to touch on its metal face. I don't know if it's always been thus as I'm not in the habit of fondling my unit, but I wouldn't be happy leaving it plugged in all day while I went to the beach or whatever. I'd worry that I'd come back to a pile of ashes. So, two questions;
1. Is it normal for zig units to get quite hot when plugged into the mains?
2. Do I really need a zig unit or is there a simpler option which would allow me to run fridge, DVD player and such while on site with hook-up?

If you could phrase any answers in terms an idiot might understand, I'd be most grateful. Thanks.

[1664]

Firstly, the ONLY electrical connection between the Zig and the fridge should be the 12v feed to the electronic gas ignitor (if fitted) and that takes such a small current it wouldn't produce any heat. On mains the fridge should run off the van mains socket at 240v. The 12v side of the fridge should only be energised via a relay when the engine is running so it is effectively powered by the vehicle alternator.
My Zig can get a little warm, but certainly nothing approaching what I'd term 'hot'. There is a transformer in there which will get warm under normal operating conditions and the units are fitted with a thermal cut-out in case things get too hot. The thoery is that when hooked up, the Zig will power the internal camper electrics (lights, water pump etc) via the 3 fused outputs, and also trickle charge either of the batteries depending on switch settings. On some conversions the Zig has ventilation holes cut next to it to allow the heat to dissipate but mine hasn't and I haven't had any problems.
On mains hook up just plug the DVD player into your other mains socket outlet (you do have more than one mains socket outlet don't you?)

[AngeloEvs]

They can get quite warm to the touch if the leisure battery is in need of a charge or you are using additional 12V appliances that total a few amps. As already mentioned, these units have safety devices that will disconnect the built in charger. If you are worried, and out for the afternoon, just switch it off then switch it back on when you return.

[rainman]

Thanks. The leisure battery was indeed in need of charging as I'd run it down on my last trip and only had a short journey home so it probably didn't get much of a boost. I'll try hooking up at home again and plugging a charger in instead of charging through the zig to see what happens.

[Oldiebut goodie]

The above info appears to be at variance with the cf8 and cf9 models.
My cf9 has an output for the fridge.

The 12A battery charger is hardly a trickle charger either!

It might help if we knew what model is being referred to here.