Why 12v - 240v - gas fridge

Post by **andyasj** » 26 Mar 2007, 19:59

I have a Westy with a fridge that works from 12v, 240v or gas. But why?
Why not just use gas all the time? Does it use a lot? Does it go out when driving?
I have not had the van very long but am going on a trip to France next week and would welcome any advice.
Cheers

Post by **irishkeet** » 26 Mar 2007, 20:07

Ive found it best to run the fridge overnight on leccy, switch to 12v when driving just about keeps things cold
then gas @ the site
I was told not to run the fridge on gas when driving as its not safe, also it will go out as soon as you go up/down a hill has to be pretty level

hope this helps

Post by **andyasj** » 26 Mar 2007, 20:15

If I'm running on 12v when driving, then stop but forget to switch over to gas (bound to happen!!) will I flatten the battery pretty quickly?

Post by **lidders** » 26 Mar 2007, 20:23

Do you have a leisure battery?

I have and my fridge is connected to this.

This way it is not attached to the main one.

If not Turn it off and leave the door shut when stopped for short periods it will remain cold.

LIDDERS

Post by **Rozzo** » 26 Mar 2007, 22:05

you deffo dont want to be driving using gas

Post by **Shootz** » 26 Mar 2007, 23:11

Only use the 12 v when driving,it just keeps the fridge cool when you are on the move.
I only have a 2 way fridge(gas and12v) so when i get to camp i set the gas up.
If you have a 3 way fridge you might as well use the 240v when you are on hook up to save your gas.
Then use gas for when you are at shows or no hook up.
I use gas all the time,just make sure you check the flue every now and then.
Mine uses very little gas,and makes the fridge very cold.
Lee.

Post by **lhd** » 26 Mar 2007, 23:41

Tee hee,we've been through this before and all though it is not advised to use your fridge on gas whilst driving it does state in the westy manual that it can be used whilst driving.

mine seems to blow out though.
The 12v in mine is useless.
I find it better to put a bottle of frozen water or even better a couple of cans of frozen stella in there for the journey, it at least keeps your milk cold.

Heres a link to previous discussion.

http://archive.club8090.co.uk/viewtopic ... ght=#88669
Rob................

Post by **toolsntat** » 27 Mar 2007, 00:02

There has been a few times when out and about that I have gone to put the fridge onto gas and found it hadn`t been turned off !!!
If it had been that it had "blown out" as long as the thermocouple is working there should not really be a problem...

But having said this live gas in a moving van aint a good idea...

Quick fridge tip..
If youve got a freezer area leave a freeze block in there to help keep things nice and cool especially if when on arrival you forget to switch it on

owlets · Post by **owlets** » 27 Mar 2007, 07:52

Having the gas on whilst driving is ILLEGAL and potentially very dangerous, naked flame etc etc! I used to put 2 freeze pack things in it when we set off on a journey and run it on 12v. In a Westy it will only run on 12v when the engine is running, so just leave it. When on a campsite, I always had pitches with hook-up so ran the fridge on 240v, it worked great even able to produce ice cubes. Only ever used it on gas once and that was at Vanfest where you don't get hook-ups.

Simple really, if you've paid for hook up on a site then why not use it for pretty much everything you can

Post by **syncroand101** » 27 Mar 2007, 08:20

I have say, I've driven off before forgetting the gas was on, come to a stop several hours later and it is still burning/cooling away. As Rob says, it does suggest it in the original Westy and Fridge manual.

But like others, I wouldn't recommend it, that constant clicking ain't half annoying when your on the motorway and it goes out...

I'm curious as to why it is illegal?

Post by **Ian Hulley** » 27 Mar 2007, 08:34

The Electrolux 3 way only has thermostatic control on 240v, the other 2 modes keep it 20 degrees below ambient ... allegedly. On 12v leisure while driving ours freezes stuff if we're not really carefull.

Having spoken to Steve Mocki about this,you're supposed to wire the fridge to your 'car' battery,so it switches off when you stop. In my ignorance of electrickery I've wired our's wrongly ... but hey it still keeps the old wife-beaters chilled .

Ian.

BTW the person to ask about why the gas should be switched off is Jen ... she very nearly had her van go up in flames at a filling station

Post by **geordie skydiver** » 27 Mar 2007, 08:51

I did 3000 miles around Northern Europe in Sept, after the first 3 days I just left it on gas, all the time, up mountain and down autoroute, with no problems and ice cold beer at every overnight stop.

In my personal opinion, its no more likely to burst into flames while driving than it is sitting in a campsite.

Post by **Bilbo Blue** » 27 Mar 2007, 10:50

Yeh, untill you've had an RTA which has spilt fuel every where.................................Whoomph

owlets · Post by **owlets** » 27 Mar 2007, 11:24

"BTW the person to ask about why the gas should be switched off is Jen ... she very nearly had her van go up in flames at a filling station"

"Yeh, untill you've had an RTA which has spilt fuel every where.................................Whoomph"

Are the reasons why its illegal to drive with your fridge on gas...........tis to do with naked flames

Post by **Ian Hulley** » 27 Mar 2007, 11:33

owlets wrote: Are the reasons why its illegal to drive with your fridge on gas...........tis to do with naked flames

From memory Jen was filling the Super Shyte Bus at a petrol station when the petrol fumes pooled on the van floor through an open driver's door and came into contact with the fridge light

setting light to the interior trim.

I believe squeeky bum time was a suitable expression. Mr T. to the rescue

Ian.