Fridge question

[Larafach]

I’m just after some advice please.

I’m off on my first trip on Wednesday and want to take a few things in the fridge. I have a Dometic 8501 so I need to manually select the energy source. I’ll chill it down on mains electric first, then switch over to 12V before setting off, but do I need to select the main vehicle battery or the leisure battery on the power control system.

Apologies if this is a really dopey question, but expect many, many more

 

[Two on Tour]

We chill ours down on 240v the day before we are leaving and load the fridge/freezer when it's down to temperature, then switch over to 12v as we leave.
Leave your battery selection on your panel switched to the leisure battery.

 

[Spriddler]

It'll work on 12v only when the engine's running.
I don't now your set-up but on page 15 in the fridge manual it says 'Select vehicle's battery'.

https://www.dometic.com/assets/18/22/operating%20manual_51822.pdf

 

[ramsthom]

Depending which motorhome you have ive found it best to select it manually after you have started the van and check it on 12 volts. On British vans when you start the van the starter and leisure battery are isolated from the control panel so you cannot select any battery. You may see 2 flashing lights indicating that both batteries are changing from the alternator.

 

[GeoffnDee]

The fridge will only work on 12v when the engine is running, so change it over just before you leave to 12v then switch back to mains (if on EHU) when you arrive at your destination , or gas if no mains. If you forget to change over the power source an alarm bleep will go off to remind you. You cannot use 12v power source when parked up and engine off.

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[Larafach]

Thank you all for your responses

 

[Insider]

I would imagine you don't need to select either battery. In reality it will be the alternator feeding the fridge while you are driving.