Stopping fridge changing power source

[cookie]

Hi.

Van has auto switching from inverter.

I want to use inverter while driving to charge bike batteries, but the fridge auto changes over to mains power.

Is there a way round this?

Cheers

 

[LithiumConvert]

why not use 12 volts?

 

[cookie]

If fridge is on 12v when I turn off I get error codes .I'd like it to auto change between 12v and gas but not mains

 

[pappajohn]

If fridge is on 12v when I turn off I get error codes .I'd like it to auto change between 12v and gas but not mains

Disconnect/Unplug it from mains.
Turn off the fridge MCB if that's all it powers.

 

[cookie]

Disconnect/Unplug it from mains.
Turn off the fridge MCB if that's all it powers.

I'd still get errors though?

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Tombola]

What fridge is it?
Can you not switch it from auto to manual ehu selection

 

[cookie]

What fridge is it?
Can you not switch it from auto to manual ehu selection

Thetford auto and manual.

If i put it on manual 12v then I get errors when van is turned off.

If I put it on auto it's on 12v but when van turned off it switches to inverter mains.

Be ok if I could turn off mains option on fridge.

 

[pappajohn]

I'd still get errors though?

Then there's a fault on the auto select.
Auto select is.....
12v yes/no....if no change to mains
Mains yes/no....if no change to gas
Gas yes/no....if no change to 12v
12v yes/no....if no it keeps rotating until there is a power source.

Just ignore the error codes if the fridge still works.

 

[cookie]

Then there's a fault on the auto select.
Auto select is.....
12v yes/no....if no change to mains
Mains yes/no....if no change to gas
Gas yes/no....if no change to 12v
12v yes/no....if no it keeps rotating until there is a power source.

Just ignore the error codes if the fridge still works.

Best options then is have manual 12v which we then need to change to off or gas when stopped
Or auto with mains disconnected so it switches to gas

 

[Bill-H]

I assume your gas is switched on before you turn the engine off?

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[cookie]

I assume your gas is switched on before you turn the engine off?

Yes

 

[LithiumConvert]

I think you have two conflicting issues here.

If your fridge is set to 'auto', then it will use 240volt, if available.

However, your inverter is set to provide power to the motorhome when there is no EHU connection. This provision of power includes the fridge.

Is there a way round this?

I think there are two ways round your problem.

Perhaps, the permanent solution is to rewire the inverter so that it does not supply power to the fridge.
EDIT: See Lenny's post following this one.

But, I think that the short term solution is manually set the fridge to 12 volts when driving. But, you will manually have to switch it back to auto at the end of the journey. (or Gas, if you want to use the Inverter for other things)

 

[Lenny HB]

Rewire the fridge mains connection direct to the the consumer unit so it's not connected to the inverter output, that's what I did on mine.

 

[cookie]

Rewire the fridge mains connection direct to the the consumer unit so it's not connected to the inverter output, that's what I did on mine.

If the inverter is connected to the vans sockets and fridge via the mains consumer unit how to separate the fridge power?

 

[pappajohn]

how to separate the fridge power?

If it's in a 3 pin socket, unplug it which is what I said in post 4.
If it's hard wired to the socket circuit move it to the water heater or similar in the fuse box.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[LithiumConvert]

How to separate the fridge power?

If you need to ask, then you probably need an electrician to do it safely.

It may well depend on the quality of the job done by the person who wired it up.
Unlikely to have been Autotrail.

 

[cookie]

If it's in a 3 pin socket, unplug it which is what I said in post 4.
If it's hard wired to the socket circuit move it to the water heater or similar in the fuse box.

I'll have a look and see where the fridge is wired into

If it's in a 3 pin socket, unplug it which is what I said in post 4.
If it's hard wired to the socket circuit move it to the water heater or similar in the fuse box.

Easier than thought. Fridge, 12v charger, water heater, all on same mcb so only need to turn this off while travelling or off grid.

 

[cookie]

If you need to ask, then you probably need an electrician to do it safely.

It may well depend on the quality of the job done by the person who wired it up.
Unlikely to have been Autotrail.

Only thinking aloud, I'm quite competent