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Fridge not working off 12v

Posted: 16 Jun 2009, 20:52
by ninja.turtle007
Hi

My fridge is working off 240v and gas ( thanks to you guys) but not 12v.

I have pulled it out and it is getting around 13.5v into the terminal block on top. I don't know what is called, it's a small round thingy fixed to a fin at the top, which has a wire going to the fan. The fan gets power until this point. Should the fan be running for it to cool?

Re: Fridge not working off 12v

Posted: 16 Jun 2009, 22:04
by 1664
Sure it's a fan? An absorption fridge don't have a fan, just a heating element. There should be a switch on the front to select 12v and it will only work with the engine running - it's not connected to the leisure battery. Mind you, you've got a Westie so heaven only knows :lol:

Re: Fridge not working off 12v

Posted: 17 Jun 2009, 06:39
by ninja.turtle007
Definately a fan. It should work without the engine running as it is getting power to the switch and terminals on the top of the fridge.

Re: Fridge not working off 12v

Posted: 17 Jun 2009, 06:51
by kevtherev
it won't work on 12v untill the engine is running, if it does, then it's wired wrong.
it will flatten your battery well before the cooling starts.

Hang on, have you been testing it with the engine running or not running?

it takes about three hours to start getting cool from room temp. 12v is really only meant for use when travelling to keep an already cold fridge ...cold.

Re: Fridge not working off 12v

Posted: 17 Jun 2009, 09:39
by 1664
Is there a make and model plate on it?

Re: Fridge not working off 12v

Posted: 17 Jun 2009, 11:08
by hulmey
ninja.turtle007 wrote:Hi

My fridge is working off 240v and gas ( thanks to you guys) but not 12v.

I have pulled it out and it is getting around 13.5v into the terminal block on top. I don't know what is called, it's a small round thingy fixed to a fin at the top, which has a wire going to the fan. The fan gets power until this point. Should the fan be running for it to cool?

Might be a daft question but have you been checking it with the engine running ? 12V only works when vehicle is running.

Re: Fridge not working off 12v

Posted: 17 Jun 2009, 11:37
by ninja.turtle007
Hi
My van has a huge solar panel on the roof so I'm sure the fridge is run off the battery and the engine doesn't have to be running. It does have constant power to the fride but is not getting cold. It's an Electrolux rm 184. Should the fan be spinning ?

Re: Fridge not working off 12v

Posted: 17 Jun 2009, 11:46
by grumpyoldgit
All the advice I have seen here and elsewhere makes it very clear that fridges are not supposed to be run off 12v when the van is parked up. That is what the gas is for. The 12vjust keeps the fridge ticking over while you are in transit.

Re: Fridge not working off 12v

Posted: 17 Jun 2009, 15:13
by 1664
You'd need a solar panel the size of three football pitches to power an absorption fridge. The Electrolux RM184 does not have a fan. It should not be connected to anything unless the engine is running (except the gas ignition circuit). If someone has made a direct connection between the solar panel and the fridge you will get a voltage at the terminals when it is swithed off but this voltage will collapse the moment you turn the fridge on as the solar panel can only supply a very small current and the fridge will rape it - hence the voltage collapse.

There is a RM184 user manual on The Brickyard website here http://www.brick-yard.co.uk/VehicleSpec ... ctions.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

It sounds to me that you might have had someone messing with your electrics.....

Re: Fridge not working off 12v

Posted: 17 Jun 2009, 15:40
by albertramsbottom
Needs to be running for the fridge to work

These guys are so very right

:shock:

Re: Fridge not working off 12v

Posted: 17 Jun 2009, 15:42
by albertramsbottom
1664 wrote:You'd need a solar panel the size of three football pitches to power an absorption fridge

:rofl :rofl

Sorry I dont mean that but its funny. He is right I have 4 peice fold out panel that is 60 inches wide and 48 high and its 60 watts when im in the sahara