Another fridge stupid question (there's no such thing as a ...) (1 Viewer)

[LMJ34]

Hi all,

I've got my first trip out starting tomorrow in the van and am thinking about the practicalities of our dometic 3 way on any given day.

Loading the van and preparing to leave, it will be on gas to cool it.

When driving, the vehicle battery will help maintain its temperature.

Overnight, we'll be back on gas as no ehu on site.

But what happens daytime when we're sightseeing, alternating between driving and being parked up. Will I need to run it on gas when we're away from the van for a few hours having lunch in a pub say? Or what about if it's only an hour or so? I'm imagining which season it is might make a difference?

Thanks in advance for what I'm sure will just be a common sense answer

 

[TheBig1]

If it's a modern fridge, set it to AES and it will select the source available. It will switch to 12v when driving, but then wait 15 minutes when you stop before lighting the gas, as it waits in case you are at a petrol station. If it detects electric hook up, it will choose that over gas

Otherwise, so long as you don't open the door, the fridge is good for a few hours, like on a ferry

 

[LMJ34]

If it's a modern fridge, set it to AES and it will select the source available. It will switch to 12v when driving, but then wait 15 minutes when you stop before lighting the gas, as it waits in case you are at a petrol station. If it detects electric hook up, it will choose that over gas

Otherwise, so long as you don't open the door, the fridge is good for a few hours, like on a ferry

Thank you. So no need to switch off the gas at the cylinder when on the move, because it will auto run on 12v and isolate the supply?

I was imagining having to turn off the gas from a safety perspective...

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[Jimbohorlicks]

If your fridge has an "auto" setting ,it will select the most appropriate energy source.
If its not automatic you will have to select the energy source manually.
When your driving set to 12v. When you stop for a longer period, ie pitching up etc ,then switch to gas if not on ehu.its best to turn off your gas when driving if you don't have an automatic cut off.asxfor example you don't want the fridge switching to gas when your filling up with fuel or lpg..
Hope that helps.

 

[LMJ34]

Thanks both. Worth mentioning that my MH manual seems to suggest more than once that gas should be left on when travelling only if using en route heating.

Which leaves me very confused!

 

[TheBig1]

The only times we turn off at the bottle is when refilling the gas, on a ferry, in the tunnel or if the van is laid up over winter

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[TheBig1]

Thanks both. Worth mentioning that my MH manual seems to suggest more than once that gas should be left on when travelling only if using en route heating.

Which leaves me very confused!

You are not alone being confused by the manual. If it is safe to run the heating on the move, it will have a crash sensor at the regulator like nearly all newer vans

 

[LMJ34]

Would add fridge manual mentions I have "tank stop mode" blocking gas operation for 15 mins after engine stops

 

[Jimbohorlicks]

I always turn my gas off when travelling. I don't have a crash sensor and it only takes a couple of mins to turn it on if needed.its always off when we fill up with lpg or diesel.

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[TheBig1]

Would add fridge manual mentions I have "tank stop mode" blocking gas operation for 15 mins after engine stops

exactly what I described above. you have an AES automatic energy sensing fridge

 

[LMJ34]

Crikey, now I'm reading further, am thinking it might be safe to leave on but if I do I should isolate the individual supplies to other gas appliances I.e. cooker in my case.

Certainly not clear-cut or even straightforward it would seem!

 

[PaulOH]

So, if in doubt and because it seems it'll be on the 12V when driving, just make it easy on your nerves by turning off the gas at the tank! This was the age-old advice when driving before the fancier sensors and cut-off devices came in and - not dissing these in any way - isn't it better to know you have a secured cylinder/tank if you aren't sure? Just my tuppenceworth!

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[LMJ34]

So, if in doubt and because it seems it'll be on the 12V when driving, just make it easy on your nerves by turning off the gas at the tank! This was the age-old advice when driving before the fancier sensors and cut-off devices came in and - not dissing these in any way - isn't it better to know you have a secured cylinder/tank if you aren't sure? Just my tuppenceworth!

Very fair advice, think we may just end up doing that, thanks Paul!

 

[bigwood]

This talk of fridges reminds me of a silly moment on our part. We bought ice creams to have with our tea. On the move with the fridge on 12 volt no problem but when we stopped at lunch time we forgot to swap the fridge to gas. By tea time the ice cream was mush.

 

[dunnah01]

Do you have an electric switch in the van to turn off the gas supply. If you do then you're quite likely to have a crash isolator solenoid valve fitted which turns the gas off if you drive into a hedge upside down. This means it's safe to travel with the gas left turned on at the bottle(s). If you don't have the electronic switch in the van then I'd check for a crash valve near the regulator and if not there you really need to turn the gas off when travelling.

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