as we look at next year to finally get back on the road after 12 months I am wanting to ask the question, how well do Dometic 3 way fridges operate on 12volt. I have it all wired from the Aux battery in the tug via a motion detector to disconnect when stopped. Due to the circumstances that we found our selves in we never really got to test it out so I guess I find myself asking the question. We are planning to head for WA next year sometime and it would be better I feel if the fridge could operate on the 12 volt supply as we travel. Any thoughts or comments would be much appreciated. I will post this on Tech page as well
thanking you in advance
briche
-- Edited by briche on Thursday 4th of December 2014 11:47:15 AM
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You only live once, but if you live it right, once is enough !!!!!!
A 3 way will operate quite well on 12v as long as the wiring for the supply the power is adequate for the load, but you do need to start with the fridge already cold, this also assumes that the fridge has been correctly installed.
Cheers
David
I have read someplace that the 12V only keeps the fridge cold and will not brig it down from a hot condition, also read that it draws a lot of current and could flatten a battery depending on its condition.
Thats doesnt mean you cant use it, for me I put on the gas soon after the stabilizers go down, then again its only running off the tug battery.
I guess I like the gas better as it cools on a hot day where 12V may struggle.
Safe travels
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P B Crockart EX RAAF Electrician,
Aircraft Avionics tech. Senior high school teacher.
A 3 way running on 12v, without the car running will quickly flatten your battery,3 ways should not be connected to the van battery, but have there own wiring directly back to the towing vehicle. Running the fridge on gas is probably the most efficient, but not worth the extra expense if 240v available.
Cheers
David
I guess I should have dropped this info in but just forgot. I am an electrician and all the points raised are covered. The only thing that did not know was how well a job it does on the road as I have not yet put it to the test so I thought I would ask before we try it ourselves. Sorry for the confusion
briche
__________________
You only live once, but if you live it right, once is enough !!!!!!
as we look at next year to finally get back on the road after 12 months I am wanting to ask the question, how well do Dometic 3 way fridges operate on 12volt. I have it all wired from the Aux battery in the tug via a motion detector to disconnect when stopped. Due to the circumstances that we found our selves in we never really got to test it out so I guess I find myself asking the question. We are planning to head for WA next year sometime and it would be better I feel if the fridge could operate on the 12 volt supply as we travel. Any thoughts or comments would be much appreciated. I will post this on Tech page as well
thanking you in advance
briche
-- Edited by briche on Thursday 4th of December 2014 11:47:15 AM
HI Briche
I hope you have lots of battery capacity & a means of recharging them quickly when needed!
A 3way fridge depending on model, will draw from 15A up to around 25A when running on 12V
Many draw that current every second they are connected[no thermostat control on 12V]
If connected to the house battery they will also limit the ablity of the Alternator to get anywhere near full charge into the house battery
THere IS only ONE way to correctly connect a 3way to 12V
Connect it via a motion switch with it's OWN HEAVY cables direct to the tug battery
MOdel Number is always a help, some do have an inbuit isolator IF WIRED to maker's instructions
with a motion switch it will only work when you are moving so it all depends on how long you drive for and the numbers of stops you make during the day.
I don't recall you mentioning what type of auxiliary battery you are running. Presumeably your wiring to the fridge is via 6 B & S cable and connected to the towing vehicle via an anderson plug. Your aux Battery should be of the deep cycle type and connected to your charging system through a smart solenoid. This would allow you to run your fridge all day on the road including meal breaks,sightseeing excursions and shopping expeditions without having it disconnect at every stop and still maintain almost a fully charged aux battery. There are numerous dual Battery systems and deep cycle information on the internetcheck some of them out..You really don't need that switch and you CAN run the fridge all day while on the road. Our ice-cream is always solid and the beer icy cold. Cheers
