Just purchased my first caravan, a 2007 Bailey Senator Louisiana Series 5 and checking everything works :)
The only thing causing confusion is running the DOMETIC REFRIGERATOR MODEL RM 8550L in 12V mode. I'm parked up and connected to 240V mains and not connected to the car. The fridge works fine when switched to 240V, but doesn't work when switched to 12V.
I know fridge draws a lot of current so just wondering if it is designed to only work when connected to the car and motor running? If so then it doesn't make sense, for when connected to 240V the van battery is automatically charging in this van.
NB: all fuses are sound and all trip switches are on, as is 12V Master Switch.
I do have the manual but it doesn't help in this matter. Any help you goirng folk can give would be must appreciate.
Thanks, John Kennedy
aussie_paul said
11:12 AM Oct 22, 2015
Hi John, fridge from 12 volt is usually only run when connected to tug AND engine running.
Aussie Paul.
banjo said
11:32 AM Oct 22, 2015
More than likely the 12v element blown, a very common item on these fridges, another reason I would never have another 3 way fridge.
We went through 2 elements in the last van with one of these inefficient dinosaur tech things. Wont call it a fridge, more a cool box. )
oldtrack123 said
10:12 PM Oct 22, 2015
HI John
Have you read the user manual??7 UNDERSTAND THE CONTROL SWITCH FUNCTIONS
That model has an auto energy select mode
If 240v is available it will run on that
If no 240v available AND IF IT IS WIRED CORRECTLY, it will only run on 12V when the battery is receiving a charge from the vehicle alternator
It should NOT run on 12v from the house battery with just the mains charger connected,the 12v operation is for on the move use
This is to PROTECT the battery from over discharging
It will go to gas if neither 240v or 12V is available
However to do all those functions it also needs a permanent 12V supply from the van /house battery, for the control system
I very much doubt that the 12V element has failed, so do not waste your money racing out & buying one.
They usually have loooong lives, although that cannot be said about some of the 240V elements
-- Edited by oldtrack123 on Thursday 22nd of October 2015 10:19:50 PM
PeterD said
10:24 PM Oct 22, 2015
John, from the handbook it appears that your fridge is a 110 litre MES (manual energy select) model. If the van has been wired correctly you can not run your fridge off the house battery. If you wish to run the fridge from 12 V it the van needs to be connected to the tug. Don't run the fridge for long without the motor running, you can flatten the starting battery in less than an hour in some vehicles.
-- Edited by PeterD on Thursday 22nd of October 2015 10:28:09 PM
Oldtrack123: I have read the manual (and you don't need to SHOUT at me thank you).
My caravan (Bailey Senator Louisiana Series 5) DOES NOT have auto power select on the fridge. It is a purely manual process to switch between power sources. Thank you for you help (!)
kesa32 said
09:19 AM Oct 23, 2015
Hi John , we have a Bailey as well , and yes , as others have mentioned , 12v is only for towing , otherwise you'd kill the house battery over time
l found they're a pretty good fridge , and work as intended ( we run an esky etc for cold beers etc when there's more than 2 of us :) )
Cheers Ken
Footprints said
10:58 AM Oct 23, 2015
Is JRK short for JERK i don't think you were being shouted at, the important things were being highlighted so that we all can learn from the post that is all. Cheers.
oldtrack123 said
11:09 AM Oct 23, 2015
Footprints wrote:
Is JRK short for JERK i don't think you were being shouted at, the important things were being highlighted so that we all can learn from the post that is all. Cheers.
Hi
Thanks for understanding
jrk36 said
02:30 PM Oct 23, 2015
I'm too old for this, I'll just leave the group, for you obviously have a very warped method of communication. The convention is CAPITALS are shouting.
-- Edited by jrk36 on Friday 23rd of October 2015 06:06:47 PM
Vince said
03:52 PM Oct 23, 2015
Sometime ya got to shout at me because I'm near DEAF
Just purchased my first caravan, a 2007 Bailey Senator Louisiana Series 5 and checking everything works :)
The only thing causing confusion is running the DOMETIC REFRIGERATOR MODEL RM 8550L in 12V mode. I'm parked up and connected to 240V mains and not connected to the car. The fridge works fine when switched to 240V, but doesn't work when switched to 12V.
I know fridge draws a lot of current so just wondering if it is designed to only work when connected to the car and motor running? If so then it doesn't make sense, for when connected to 240V the van battery is automatically charging in this van.
NB: all fuses are sound and all trip switches are on, as is 12V Master Switch.
I do have the manual but it doesn't help in this matter. Any help you goirng folk can give would be must appreciate.
Thanks, John Kennedy
Hi John, fridge from 12 volt is usually only run when connected to tug AND engine running.
Aussie Paul.
We went through 2 elements in the last van with one of these inefficient dinosaur tech things. Wont call it a fridge, more a cool box.
HI John
Have you read the user manual??7 UNDERSTAND THE CONTROL SWITCH FUNCTIONS
That model has an auto energy select mode
If 240v is available it will run on that
If no 240v available AND IF IT IS WIRED CORRECTLY, it will only run on 12V when the battery is receiving a charge from the vehicle alternator
It should NOT run on 12v from the house battery with just the mains charger connected,the 12v operation is for on the move use
This is to PROTECT the battery from over discharging
It will go to gas if neither 240v or 12V is available
However to do all those functions it also needs a permanent 12V supply from the van /house battery, for the control system
I very much doubt that the 12V element has failed, so do not waste your money racing out & buying one.
They usually have loooong lives, although that cannot be said about some of the 240V elements
-- Edited by oldtrack123 on Thursday 22nd of October 2015 10:19:50 PM
John, from the handbook it appears that your fridge is a 110 litre MES (manual energy select) model. If the van has been wired correctly you can not run your fridge off the house battery. If you wish to run the fridge from 12 V it the van needs to be connected to the tug. Don't run the fridge for long without the motor running, you can flatten the starting battery in less than an hour in some vehicles.
-- Edited by PeterD on Thursday 22nd of October 2015 10:28:09 PM
Hi John , we have a Bailey as well , and yes , as others have mentioned , 12v is only for towing , otherwise you'd kill the house battery over time
l found they're a pretty good fridge , and work as intended ( we run an esky etc for cold beers etc when there's more than 2 of us :) )
Cheers Ken
Is JRK short for JERK i don't think you were being shouted at, the important things were being highlighted so that we all can learn from the post that is all. Cheers.
Hi
Thanks for understanding

I'm too old for this, I'll just leave the group, for you obviously have a very warped method of communication. The convention is CAPITALS are shouting.
-- Edited by jrk36 on Friday 23rd of October 2015 06:06:47 PM