Club 80-90 Forums

Hi all,
Bought my first van few months ago, it has a electrolux
fridge in(seen hundreds in vans) it has gas and elec settings works
fine on hook up,but carnt work how to keep cool whilst traveling
tried different settings ie on car, and van, doesnt seem to get cold
also not sure how to run on gas...probs easy fix just a bit green
any thoughts guys pls ;-);-);-);-);-)

http://www.club80-90.co.uk/pages/downloads.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; there may be a user manual for your model here.

What model of fridge? RM184EGI? Should be a label on the inside of the fridge.
I always use mine of gas when traveling, pilot light does not go out!

Regards
Steve

One thing I've heard alot of people say when running on gas, make sure the van is level.

If your on an angle this can cause you some lighting issues, So I've heard, my van doesnt have a fridge at the mo

I've got an Electrolux RM212, so this is all based off that, but should be similar...

If you're planning to run it off 12v, it's worth making sure it's actually been wired up - mine wasn't when I bought the van, I guess because the older fridges use so much power that a lot of people don't bother. And if it's wired, make sure that the wiring and any inline fuses between the fridge and your battery are ok (and up to the job, my fridge draws just under 10 amps on 12v iirc). Then you should just need to switch the fridge to 12v/battery mode on the 3-way switch on the front of the fridge. There's no thermostat on 12v, it's always on, so be careful not to flatten whichever battery you've got it wired too (especially if it's the one you're planning to use to start the van the next morning!).

Being level whilst pitched is important - the coolant needs to return to the electrical/gas heating point, otherwise the fridge won't cool. Mine's bloomin temperamental, now got 4 chocks and a small spirit level to make sure it works! But whilst driving, the sloshing motion of the van should normally be ok to keep the coolant moving over the heat source. I prefer not to run on gas whilst driving, hence why I wired up the 12v.

HTH!
Ben.

While the manual states that the van needs to be level, I have never had a problem with my 'fridge, and I don't make a fuss over getting it perfectly level. Provided that I don't slide out of bed due to the slope it's ok. Seriously, if the van is 'just about' level it seems to work ok.

The 12V seems to just maintain a cool fridge while driving. I don't think you should expect it to get the fridge to working temperature from warm. I usually plug mine into the EHU the night before a trip with a freezer block or two in the ice compartment. That seems to work for me. I usually use EHU on site too, but have done ok on the gas when there's no power supply. (Having paid for EHU, why use gas?)

Obviously, the ambient outdoor temperature has a bearing on how hard the 'fridge has to work, also how often the door is opened. I have sometimes found slush puppy milk in the 'fridge and needed to turn the control down a notch or two. (Frozen cherry tomatoes like bullets too!)

I have heard others who operate on gas while mobile. That's not for me. Firstly, the manual says use 12V, and seconly, the idea of naked flames and petrol fumes mixing if involved in a collision or when refuelling makes me nervous.