12v electrics whilst van travelling (1 Viewer)

[ronidog1]

Hello,

My 12v electrics turns off when the van is in motion and therefore the Waeco condenser fridge stops working. Its a brand new autotrail jazz panel van. The fridge works perfectly when stationary with the 12v power on. Any ideas on what I may be doing wrong?

 

[EssexBoy]

I don't know definitively, but I believe many British vans automatically turn off the hab electrics when on the move... It's a "feature", I believe...

I would of thought the fridge would work though...

 

[motorhomer]

With an absorption type of fridge, vans are usually wired so that the fridge is on a separate 12v circuit that is only live when the engine is running. Most of the remaining 12v circuits in the van are switched off automatically when the engine runs. When stationary they are either mains or gas.

A motorhome compressor fridge, which I believe the waeco is, is 12v and has an optional mains adaptor. I believe the jazz is fitted with the mains adaptor so when stationary you can run the fridge on mains. Was it connected to mains when it was working? If it was maybe there is a switch to switch it over to 12v,

Otherwise, if it is not working when the engine runs I would take it back to the dealer. It cannot be right as it is!

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[sedge]

Well ours is a Dometic so has an A setting - so that it automatically transfers to whatever is available, so when moving it looks for 12v and works on that - it isn't hooked up to mains, the gas is turned off, so that's it's only option. It is on a separate wiring circuit to the normal 12v sockets etc in the hab area.

But even so, it does sometimes lose it's way, so normally just after we start off, I sneak into the rear of the van and check it's on 12v - if not, I press the appropriate buttons to make it manually. (I don't do it whilst stationary on the drive, because I'm the woman checking the traffic as Pete backs out)

If it won't go onto 12v at all when the engine is running , then yes you do have a problem with wiring.

 

[Kool Kroozer]

we have a Auto Cruise Rythm and our fridge stays on whilst on the move - unless we switch it off manually

 

[Lenny HB]

I would expect a condenser fridge to run off the habitation ion battery when parked up and off the engine battery when driving, sounds like a change over relay has failed or the van has been incorrectly wired.

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[hilldweller]

I don't know definitively, but I believe many British vans automatically turn off the hab electrics when on the move... It's a "feature", I believe...

Spot on. Some trade agreement of what is right with no legal basis. Johnny Foreigner does nothing so daft.

Many blighted Brits just alter the relay to keep the power on all the time. Some Googling will show the way.

 

[Lenny HB]

Spot on. Some trade agreement of what is right with no legal basis. Johnny Foreigner does nothing so daft.

A hang over from caravans like a lot of the layouts and poor construction.

 

[Minxy]

Your Autocruise Jazz (not Autotrail) should NOT have the fridge linked directly to the control panel - it should work whether you are stationary (ie engine off) or when travelling so something is wrong with the installation if this isn't the case - you need to contact your dealer and get it sorted out.

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[pappajohn]

Spot on. Some trade agreement of what is right with no legal basis. Johnny Foreigner does nothing so daft.

A hang over from caravans like a lot of the layouts and poor construction.

Its a requirement of the British organisation, the caravan council, for getting caravan council certification/recognition.
no legal clout in the slightest.

 

[Lenny HB]

Its a requirement of the British organisation, the caravan council, for getting caravan council certification/recognition.
no legal clout in the slightest.

It was an easy get out when EMC rules came in, turn off the caravan electrics rather than redesign them so that they don't cause interference with the car electrics. Typical British manufacturers attitude can't be bothered to do the job properly.

 

[ronidog1]

Thanks all it looks like a trip to the dealer a dealer then....

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