3 way fridge gas shut-down problem

[DiverRichard]

Just had a 3-way fridge installed to enable running off-grid for up to a week (music festivals mainly). Apparently, it won't run on gas without a 12v supply to power the flame-out cut-off. If - or rather when - the leisure battery drops below 12v (as it invariably does after a couple days using lights, phone chargers etc) - the gas flame shuts down. Rather gives lie to the 'go completely off-grid with a three-way fridge' claim doesn't it? Anyone got any solutions to this? I already have a 100W solar array, but that can't keep the leisure battery above 12v even on a sunny day.

 

[rolosroller]

Have done 10 days plus .With only 100w solar + gas never had a problem. even watch tv for 2 hours plus at night.
Maybe your battery is on its way out.

 

[bigtwin]

Apparently, it won't run on gas without a 12v supply to power the flame-out cut-off.

No, it needs 12V to run the control side of the fridge. It doesn’t use 12V for power.

If - or rather when - the leisure battery drops below 12v (as it invariably does after a couple days using lights, phone chargers etc) - the gas flame shuts down.

Yes, that’s a safety feature. If your leisure battery voltage is dropping too low then the problem doesn’t lie with the fridge it lies with your poor battery performance; you should be aiming to fix that.

Rather gives lie to the 'go completely off-grid with a three-way fridge' claim doesn't it?

Not at all, it’s just highlighting that you have an inadequate off-grid set up (either a battery that’s on its way out or too small a battery bank.

Anyone got any solutions to this?

As above.

However, if your fridge has only recently been installed then it’s possible that the wiring to the fridge is too thin and is causing a voltage drop along the wire such that the voltage is too low to sustain fridge operation. In this case you would need to fit fatter wiring. To find out if this is the case, you need to measure the battery voltage (at the battery terminals) and measure the voltage at the back of the fridge. If there is much of a difference, that may be your problem.

Ian

 

[DiverRichard]

Yes, thanks for that Ian. Was assured by fridge fitter that leisure battery ok when they checked it. It certainly isn't now, so looking to replace that, cos they don't recover from being dropped below 50%. Will check with the fitter to see if wiring adequate - I wouldn't know what thickness to look for. I had a three-way in my old T2 - worked fine with no electrical connection at all - just a piezo igniter and a passive thermo-couple to shut it down if the flame went out. I've since done some research and nowhere in any of the promotional blurb for three-way fridges, nor any explanatory web pages does it mention the need for a continuous 12v supply.

 

[Jimbohorlicks]

Best to buy a lithium battery. They don't go below 12v unless knackered.