Fridge on 12V

[Gavin and Bigi]

We are buying a 2008 Autosleeper Warwick Duo - based on a Peugeot Boxer.

It has a Dometic 3 way fridge - not sure which model.

I understand while at a site it will run on gas or hookup. I assume you don't run on gas while driving!

Apparently the fridge only works on 12V while the vehicle is moving - not while stationary - does this sound right?

 

[davidbaldam]

Yes, that is correct.

 

[CAB96]

We are buying a 2008 Autosleeper Warwick Duo - based on a Peugeot Boxer.

It has a Dometic 3 way fridge - not sure which model.

I understand while at a site it will run on gas or hookup. I assume you don't run on gas while driving!

Apparently the fridge only works on 12V while the vehicle is moving - not while stationary - does this sound right?

Not quite, it only runs on 12v while the engine is running, so it can be stationary but on 12v.

 

[tonka]

Technically you could run off gas IF you have a crash protection system.
Just to throw a spanner in the works.

 

[Lenny HB]

Technically you could run off gas IF you have a crash protection system.
Just to throw a spanner in the works.

Now you knew I would respond to that one.
It's against the construction and use regulations.

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[Stag man]

You’ll find the 12v might not be as efficient as the gas or 240v leccy
OK whilst you are driving ( no choice) but get it on to hookup or gas as soon as practical

 

[scotjimland]

Technically you could run off gas IF you have a crash protection system.
Just to throw a spanner in the works.

It's against the construction and use regulations

Another spanner...

My USRV fridge had no 12v option,

it ran by design on gas while travelling.. that is not unusual for RVs.

 

[Lenny HB]

Another spanner...

My USRV fridge had no 12v option,

it ran by design on gas while travelling.. that is not unusual for RVs.

Legal in the States but not in Europe as it has an exposed flame. Truma & Alde heating are OK as the burner is enclosed and they are fan flued but only if you have anti-rupture hoses or cylinders together with an anti-crash valve.

 

[scotjimland]

Legal in the States but not in Europe

must be hundreds of "illegal" RVs in the UK , never heard of anyone being prosecuted .. I had mine for 6 years and was never challenged or checked..

As far as I know, there is no specific law or rule for running the fridge on propane when you are driving .. provided you have a crash shutoff valve ..

but I stand to be corrected..

Before anyone jumps in with both feet, I am not advocating that it should be done, just pointing out what I had on my RV

 

[funflair]

Now you knew I would respond to that one.
It's against the construction and use regulations.

Use of gas-fired appliances when a vehicle is in motion​

96.—(1) Subject to paragraph (2), this regulation applies to every motor vehicle and trailer.

(2) Paragraphs (3) and (4) do not apply to a vehicle constructed or adapted for the conveyance of goods under controlled temperatures.

(3) No person shall use, or cause or permit to be used, in any vehicle to which this paragraph applies, while the vehicle is in motion on a road, any gas-fired appliance except—

(a)a gas-fired appliance which is fitted to engineering plant while the plant is being used for the purposes of the engineering operations for which it was designed;

(b)a gas-fired appliance which is permanently attached to a bus, provided that any appliance for heating or cooling the interior of the bus for the comfort of the driver and any passengers does not expose a naked flame on the outside of the appliance; or

(c)in any other vehicle, a refrigerating appliance or an appliance which does not expose a naked flame on the outside of the appliance and which is permanently attached to the vehicle and designed for the purpose of heating any part of the interior of the vehicle for the comfort of the driver and any passengers.

The above is from Construction and use regs,

Question, is the flame inside or outside the refrigeration appliance?

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[Viennese]

I am always surprised when people seem to expext their 3-way frdges to run on 12v when engine not running. Even with solar power I have never thought this possible and don't believe it is.

 

[scotjimland]

I am always surprised when people seem to expext their 3-way frdges to run on 12v when engine not running. Even with solar power I have never thought this possible and don't believe it is.

generally yes, that is correct, but I believe newer fridges have the facility to use surplus 12v power produced by solar

RV Refrigeration 04

www.dometic.com

 

[IRHP]

I am always surprised when people seem to expext their 3-way frdges to run on 12v when engine not running. Even with solar power I have never thought this possible and don't believe it is.

It's definitely possible but drawing around 17 Amps it will flatten the battery pretty quickly. You just have to fool the fridge into thinking its getting a D+ ( 12v pos) from the alternator.

 

[Northernraider]

Now you knew I would respond to that one.
It's against the construction and use regulations.

Rules are meant to be broken

 

[scotjimland]

drawing around 17 Amps

that would be a big fridge.. 12v elements are generally around 120w .. 10A

form link above ..

The RM(X)8XXX has the facility to accept a S+ signal to the control PCB allowing it to select solar DC power when available. To use this function, it is necessary to use a “Büttner by Dometic” solar regulator with a signal output cable which can be connected to the S+, the solar power then charges a battery or battery bank and when the regulator sends the signal to say voltage is available the fridge will select this first in AES mode. Some details on solar regulators can be found here.

In automatic mode, the refrigerator selects the most favourable operating mode available

Priority	Operating Mode
1 Solar	(DC power)
2	AC power
3	DC power
4	Gas

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[Lenny HB]

that would be a big fridge.. 12v elements are generally around 120w .. 10A

Most of the 150/160 Lt fridge freezers have 170 or 190 watt 12v elements.

 

[IRHP]

that would be a big fridge.. 12v elements are generally around 120w ..

THETFORD N3000 series 205 watts.

 

[scotjimland]

that would be a big fridge.

as I said...

but the point wasn't about size of element, that is academic,

but that you can use surplus solar power using the Dometic kit as I previously posted..

 

[Viennese]

I just know not to do it, which suits me fine. I have gas and EHU at sites.

 

[Winger]

Rules are meant to be broken

Yes my Dad always said that there was no point in making a rule if it wasn’t going to be broken

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[scotjimland]

I just know not to do it, which suits me fine. I have gas and EHU at sites.

Yes my Dad always said that there was no point in making a rule if it wasn’t going to be broken

no rule broken .. technology moves on..

we don't use gas lights now.. but you can if you wish .. no rules

 

[funflair]

that would be a big fridge.. 12v elements are generally around 120w .. 10A

form link above ..

The RM(X)8XXX has the facility to accept a S+ signal to the control PCB allowing it to select solar DC power when available. To use this function, it is necessary to use a “Büttner by Dometic” solar regulator with a signal output cable which can be connected to the S+, the solar power then charges a battery or battery bank and when the regulator sends the signal to say voltage is available the fridge will select this first in AES mode. Some details on solar regulators can be found here.

In automatic mode, the refrigerator selects the most favourable operating mode available

Priority	Operating Mode
1 Solar	(DC power)
2	AC power
3	DC power
4	Gas

Votronic solar reg will work as well and any fridge that has AES is OK using the D+ you might need to put a diode to stop it feeding to -ve if the regulator signal doesn’t work at first.