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Dometic 182a 12v Fridge Element
Posted: 17 Jun 2024, 11:29
by Burtybassett
Hi guy's
Just putting it out there to save me spending hours trawling the Internet...
I've got the original 3-way fridge in my Westie Vanagon
Dometic 182a
Works great on gas (evenmakes ice) - it's actually on right now as I'm getting ready for a camp this weekend.
Works great on mains 120v with a converter.
Won't work on 12v - never has in the 10 years I've had my bus.
Most likely culprit is the element......anyone got any ideas where I can get one from please ??
Turk
Re: Dometic 182a 12v Fridge Element
Posted: 17 Jun 2024, 11:37
by clift_d
Re: Dometic 182a 12v Fridge Element
Posted: 17 Jun 2024, 11:46
by Burtybassett
Ta
Re: Dometic 182a 12v Fridge Element
Posted: 17 Jun 2024, 13:34
by davidoft1
12v only works when the engines running , test the element for continuity
Re: Dometic 182a 12v Fridge Element
Posted: 17 Jun 2024, 14:01
by Burtybassett
davidoft1 wrote: ↑17 Jun 2024, 13:34
12v only works when the engines running , test the element for continuity
Now that's interesting....so it runs from the engine battery - not the leisure battery.
The fridge is in at the moment...working fine on gas..I'll try it out while I drive to our campsite at the weekend.
You might've just saved me £60+ mate.
Re: Dometic 182a 12v Fridge Element
Posted: 17 Jun 2024, 15:09
by clift_d
davidoft1 wrote: ↑17 Jun 2024, 13:34
12v only works when the engines running , test the element for continuity
That's not the case with our Club Joker - it's possible for us to run the fridge on 12V whether the engine is running or not. When the engine is running it's taking current from the alternator, when the engine is off it's coming from the leisure battery... I'm assuming here that you have the
correct leisure relay in place. I don't know whether it's exactly the same for a US Vanagon, but the wiring diagram for the Joker / Club Joker can be found on the westfaliat3.info site here:
https://westfaliat3.info/Westfalia_Joke ... 211010.pdf
Have you checked the leisure fuses - there should be a small fusebox for these on the B-pillar? The fridge/water pump should be on the same 16A fuse, at last they are in the Club Joker - if neither is working then that could be your problem.
Re: Dometic 182a 12v Fridge Element
Posted: 17 Jun 2024, 16:05
by Mocki
If you run a three way 12v element on a battery without the engine running , it will kill a 100aH battery in about 4 hours as it takes between 9 and 12 amps depending on model .
Re: Dometic 182a 12v Fridge Element
Posted: 17 Jun 2024, 17:07
by Burtybassett
I'll take a look at it next time I burp the fridge.
The 12v fuse must be ok as the sink tap/water pump/fridge fan ect all work.
I'll switch fridge over to 12v when I drive it Friday.
If the 12v element works - epic...if not - a replacement element it is
Re: Dometic 182a 12v Fridge Element
Posted: 18 Jun 2024, 18:56
by davidoft1
Burtybassett wrote: ↑17 Jun 2024, 14:01
davidoft1 wrote: ↑17 Jun 2024, 13:34
12v only works when the engines running , test the element for continuity
Now that's interesting....so it runs from the engine battery - not the leisure battery.
The fridge is in at the moment...working fine on gas..I'll try it out while I drive to our campsite at the weekend.
You might've just saved me £60+ mate.
still runs from the leisure battery but a relay prevents the fridge working until the alternator charge light goes off
Re: Dometic 182a 12v Fridge Element
Posted: 18 Jun 2024, 18:57
by davidoft1
clift_d wrote: ↑17 Jun 2024, 15:09
davidoft1 wrote: ↑17 Jun 2024, 13:34
12v only works when the engines running , test the element for continuity
That's not the case with our Club Joker - it's possible for us to run the fridge on 12V whether the engine is running or not. When the engine is running it's taking current from the alternator, when the engine is off it's coming from the leisure battery... I'm assuming here that you have the
correct leisure relay in place. I don't know whether it's exactly the same for a US Vanagon, but the wiring diagram for the Joker / Club Joker can be found on the westfaliat3.info site here:
https://westfaliat3.info/Westfalia_Joke ... 211010.pdf
Have you checked the leisure fuses - there should be a small fusebox for these on the B-pillar? The fridge/water pump should be on the same 16A fuse, at last they are in the Club Joker - if neither is working then that could be your problem.
not with a factory fridge and setup, your battery would be toast after a couple of trips