Fridge runs from main battery? (1 Viewer)

[Dorwyn]

The manual for my new Trigano Tribute states that the 3-way fridge runs in 12v mode from the main battery. I am planning to install a solar panel, which it makes sense to me to connect to the leisure battery. It also suggests that the 2 batteries are connected under certain circs. If I do connect to the LB, will this top up the main battery? It's a Nordelec controller system.

 

[Mikeco]

It will only run from the vehicle battery when the engine is running, there will be a relay that kicks in to feed the fridge. Not sure about charging up from the solar panel but I don't believe that it will.

 

[Lenny HB]

It will only run from the vehicle battery when the engine is running, there will be a relay that kicks in to feed the fridge. Not sure about charging up from the solar panel but I don't believe that it will.

Depends how it's wired on Hymers when there is no gas, mains or engine feed it switches to the leisure battery, I've pulled the fuse on both Hymers I have had to stop it doing it.

Ref: Solar you will need either a dual output solar regulator or a solar split charge relay to charge the engine battery as well.

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[peterc10]

Depends how it's wired on Hymers when there is no gas, mains or engine feed it switches to the leisure battery, I've pulled the fuse on both Hymers I have had to stop it doing it.
.

Lenny are you sure? The fridge on my B678 doesn't appear to do that - if there is no gas or electric and the engine is not running it just flashes an alarm (if it is switched on).

 

[Lenny HB]

Lenny are you sure? The fridge on my B678 doesn't appear to do that - if there is no gas or electric and the engine is not running it just flashes an alarm (if it is switched on).

Have a look on your Elektroblock and see if the AES/Kompressor fuse is fitted, if it's not it will do as you describe. Hymer have been wiring them this way since about 2008. Dealers sometimes remove this fuse before delivery.

 

[peterc10]

Have a look on your Elektroblock and see if the AES/Kompressor fuse is fitted, if it's not it will do as you describe. Hymer have been wiring them this way since about 2008. Dealers sometimes remove this fuse before delivery.

I know that fuse well since some idiot (the dealer) had put one in to my previous Adria motorhome and I wondered why the battery was going flat when stopped. However that motorhome did not have an AES fridge. The Hymer has an AES fridge and I am sure that it works as I have said, and does not work on the 12V leisure batteries. It can be made to work direct from solar, but that is a different matter.

However I will go out and try it later to make sure.

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[DBK]

The manual for my new Trigano Tribute states that the 3-way fridge runs in 12v mode from the main battery. I am planning to install a solar panel, which it makes sense to me to connect to the leisure battery. It also suggests that the 2 batteries are connected under certain circs. If I do connect to the LB, will this top up the main battery? It's a Nordelec controller system.

Just in case it isn't clear from the above the 12v option is for use when driving. When you stop use gas or 240v if on EHU. The 12v will take more power than your solar can provide but perhaps more importantly the cooling effect is limited on 12 volts.

 

[John & Joan]

I have a split regulator on my Solar. I have set it to charge 90% leisure and 10% vehicle battery. It can also be set to 50:50 charge. It is a Morningstar SunSaver Duo.

 

[peterc10]

Have a look on your Elektroblock and see if the AES/Kompressor fuse is fitted, if it's not it will do as you describe. Hymer have been wiring them this way since about 2008. Dealers sometimes remove this fuse before delivery.

OK, just checked the manuals - both Dometic's and Hymer's. If you use the fridge on automatic, as we always do, it will NOT run on the leisure battery and will only run on 12V if the engine is running (alternator signal D+) - both manuals say that. On the other hand if you switch it to manual operation and then choose 12V it will run only off the leisure batteries, according to Hymer's manual. My guess is that this is to enable people with lots of solar power or batteries to run the fridge using them.

We always use it in AES mode (no need to worry about anything then) so we have no problems with this.

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[Lenny HB]

I'll try putting my fuse back in an see what happens as I probably tested it in manual mode, never read the instructions "Real men don't read instructions"

 

[peterc10]

I think the 12V running off the leisure battery is Hymer's idea rather than Schaudt or Dometic. Thinking about it with the Adria it was the starter battery that ran down with the AES fuse in, to the point that once or twice I had trouble starting it. Maybe that is Hymer's way of making sure you can always start the engine?

 

[Lenny HB]

OK, just checked the manuals - both Dometic's and Hymer's. If you use the fridge on automatic, as we always do, it will NOT run on the leisure battery and will only run on 12V if the engine is running (alternator signal D+) - both manuals say that. On the other hand if you switch it to manual operation and then choose 12V it will run only off the leisure batteries, according to Hymer's manual. My guess is that this is to enable people with lots of solar power or batteries to run the fridge using them.

We always use it in AES mode (no need to worry about anything then) so we have no problems with this.

Well I've learnt something there, have put the fuse back in and run a few test it does indeed do that. Having in also looked at the manuals in the Dometic one there is a big warning about running on 12v but to me regardless of wether it is in AES or Manual mode if it's running from 12v it's running from 12v if you see my reasoning. I will still leave the fuse out, then I can't accidently flatten my batteries.

I had assumed it was the same as my last Hymer with a 7000 series fridge, my mate found out the hard way he had an identical van, gas ran out on AES one day came back to the van with flat batteries. When I investigate his van had the AES fuse fitted my didn't.

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[Jenben]

Interesting. Just tried ours (2016 Hymer Exsis I 150 l Thetford fridge) and it doesn't work off 12v on AES or manual unless D+ is live. Must have different logic to the Dometic one I suspect.

 

[peterc10]

Didn't know Hymer did a Thetford fridge. I have only seen them with a Dometic Tech Tower. Is the AES fuse in place on your Electrobloc?

 

[Dorwyn]

Just in case it isn't clear from the above the 12v option is for use when driving. When you stop use gas or 240v if on EHU. The 12v will take more power than your solar can provide but perhaps more importantly the cooling effect is limited on 12 volts.

Yes, I realize why it is set to run on the main battery. What confuses me is should I connect the solar to the LB or the main battery. I don't see the need for a second split charger, and of course I will use my excellent MPPT regulator. Since the control panel indicates that the two batteries are linked, for instance as they are at this moment while on 240v, for charging purposes, does this mean that the charge going into the LB will be shared with the main battery. i.e. as they are linked (I'm not sure that quite says what I am trying to say.)
I'm also not sure that 12v would not provide enough cooling effect, my last set up with 220 amp LB and 200 watt solar worked fine (compressor fridge). Also it worked on 12v just now, since I left the house without having time to start the fridge on mains up and cool it down, and when we got on site it was wonderfully cold, having only been running while driving.

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[Jenben]

Didn't know Hymer did a Thetford fridge. I have only seen them with a Dometic Tech Tower. Is the AES fuse in place on your Electrobloc?

I think the 150 litre fridge option is normally a Thetford, though depending on the van model the exterior vents are sometimes still Dometic (ours are but the I588 we looked at had the same fridge but Thetford vents.....no idea why?)

The AES fuse is in place in the Elecktoblok, a 20a one.

 

[peterc10]

I'm also not sure that 12v would not provide enough cooling effect, my last set up with 220 amp LB and 200 watt solar worked fine (compressor fridge). Also it worked on 12v just now, since I left the house without having time to start the fridge on mains up and cool it down, and when we got on site it was wonderfully cold, having only been running while driving.

I think that a compressor fridge uses less 12V than a 3 way "normal" one, but others can say if that is correct or not.

 

[Old Soldier]

Having an old van I also have an old fridge that works on Gas, Mains and in a limited fashion on 12v when the engine is running. HOWEVER I have an alternative way of keeping my beer cold ( apart from the coolboxes) When my wife gives me that ICY stare I quickly get out a beer and hold it in front of her for a second or two...works a treat! Best bit is that If I have more than 3 pints I get a constant Icy look so it keeps them all cold all evening!!.......Everyone's a winner, save on gas and lecky and it's constantly renewable energy!

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[Lenny HB]

Didn't know Hymer did a Thetford fridge. I have only seen them with a Dometic Tech Tower. Is the AES fuse in place on your Electrobloc?

Depends on model, a lot of their vans have had the Thetford fridges since around 2006 unless you opted for the TEC Tower option. E.g. Exsis's have Thetford as standard with the option of a Dometic TEC Tower.

 

[Dorwyn]

Having an old van I also have an old fridge that works on Gas, Mains and in a limited fashion on 12v when the engine is running. HOWEVER I have an alternative way of keeping my beer cold ( apart from the coolboxes) When my wife gives me that ICY stare I quickly get out a beer and hold it in front of her for a second or two...works a treat! Best bit is that If I have more than 3 pints I get a constant Icy look so it keeps them all cold all evening!!.......Everyone's a winner, save on gas and lecky and it's constantly renewable energy!

Wine's my poison, she's good with the icy looks and comments too. I just ride above it. Especially after the 2nd or 3rd glass.

 

[DBK]

Yes, I realize why it is set to run on the main battery. What confuses me is should I connect the solar to the LB or the main battery. I don't see the need for a second split charger, and of course I will use my excellent MPPT regulator. Since the control panel indicates that the two batteries are linked, for instance as they are at this moment while on 240v, for charging purposes, does this mean that the charge going into the LB will be shared with the main battery. i.e. as they are linked (I'm not sure that quite says what I am trying to say.)
I'm also not sure that 12v would not provide enough cooling effect, my last set up with 220 amp LB and 200 watt solar worked fine (compressor fridge). Also it worked on 12v just now, since I left the house without having time to start the fridge on mains up and cool it down, and when we got on site it was wonderfully cold, having only been running while driving.

If you are talking about compressor 'fridges then of course 12v is fine, that is what they run on but three way' fridges which is what I thought you were referring to, work very differently and generally their 12v performance is the weakest.

If you have solar then connect it to the leisure batteries, this is what everything runs off.

The link between the vehicle and leisure batteries varies. In many, possibly most MHs the vehicle battery is not charged when on EHU or from the on board solar unless you have a gadget called a battery master. Alternatively, some MHs have the ability to charge the vehicle battery built in at the flick of a switch.

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[Dorwyn]

It is certainly charging both batteries at the moment, judging by the voltage readout on the main controller. It was the Vanbitz battery master that I was thinking about, but this present unit seems to be working in the same way. I guess I could contact Eddie and see what he has to say. I was not keen to connect the solar panel up to the LB without knowing what was happening.

This is the first 3-way fridge I have had, previously I have had 12v compressor fridges running from the LB, which in some respects is more straightforward.

 

[busby]

I

Lenny are you sure? The fridge on my B678 doesn't appear to do that - if there is no gas or electric and the engine is not running it just flashes an alarm (if it is switched on).

Its only the later fridges that source alternative energy supplies automatically,,i think post 2006 or there abouts,,BUSBY,,,,

 

[Lenny HB]

Interesting. Just tried ours (2016 Hymer Exsis I 150 l Thetford fridge) and it doesn't work off 12v on AES or manual unless D+ is live. Must have different logic to the Dometic one I suspect.

Thetford have always been wired like that in Hymers, why they wire the Dometic ones differently is a mystery only Hymer can answer.

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[peterc10]

Thetford have always been wired like that in Hymers, why they wire the Dometic ones differently is a mystery only Hymer can answer.

Is the Thetford one an AES fridge? I thought the standard one fitted wasn't. That may explain the difference

 

[Lenny HB]

I think that a compressor fridge uses less 12V than a 3 way "normal" one, but others can say if that is correct or not.

I do think they are a bit more efficient, but more due to the fact they are only little fridges never seen a 150/160 Lt one for Motorhomes.

Is the Thetford one an AES fridge? I thought the standard one fitted wasn't. That may explain the difference

Haven't got a clue always had the Tec Tower option, I assumed it would be AES.

 

[TheCaller]

The 12v will take more power than your solar can provide but perhaps more importantly the cooling effect is limited on 12 volts.

It certainly used to be the case that 12v cooling in a three way fridge was pretty poor. But I think newer fridges have much better 12v performance. Mine cools pretty well on 12v - a 2hr journey is enough to take it from +15C down to below +5C.

I seem to remember reading that 12v & 230v performance was now pretty similar. I can't remember who it was that wrote that, but it was someone who would have known what they were talking about - @dave newell lvs possibly?

It is certainly true that a single solar panel won't provide enough power to run the 12v side of a three way fridge - not this far north of the equator anyway.

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[Jenben]

Is the Thetford one an AES fridge? I thought the standard one fitted wasn't. That may explain the difference

I don't know if the standard one for the Exsis (130litre) is, but our option one (150litre) is definitely AES.

As per @Lenny HB info, the Hymer manual does imply that the Thetford and Dometic fridges are different. I suspect the Hymer wiring is the same for both, but the Thetford internal logic only allows 12v operation with a D+ signal present in both Auto and Manual, where the Dometic doesn't care when in Manual mode.