Fridge power question

[Stevef]

when plugged into the mains our fridge ticks over nicely on 230v but when off grid in auto it will only go to gas as an alternative. When I try and manually switch to 12v it says "Warning refrigerator has no 12v battery supply. check 12 volt battery power or select different power source" (W06).
Am I missing something? apart from a clue (-:

Many thanks

Steve

 

[JockandRita]

The 12v power only operates once the engine is started, and the alternator D+ connection is made automatically.

Try starting the engine, then change over to 12v.

Edited..........If on the auto setting, it should go straight to 12v once the engine is running.

Cheers

Jock.

 

[Stevef]

Thanks Jock!

That was quick.

 

[Guigsy]

3 way fridges are really inefficient on electrical. They need about 200 watts of power, which would flatten most hab batteries very quickly. Hence for -many- vans (some German exceptions), 12v is only available when the engine is running so the alternator can provide enough juice. Thankfully they use very little gas...

 

[Richard n Ann]

Thankfully they use very little gas..

Depends on how you define little.
Ours used 12kg a month

If you want to use the battery Steve, you need a 12v compressor fridge and solar compliments that nicely too

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[Lenny HB]

Yours is a Brit built van so the fridge will only work on 12V with the engine running, with our German van you can select 12v when stationary.

 

[Guigsy]

Depends on how you define little.
Ours used 12kg a month

If you want to use the battery Steve, you need a 12v compressor fridge and solar compliments that nicely too

I guess it depends on your perspective. A month on one cylinder of gas. Or about 2.5 hours to flatten a full battery.

Compressor fridges are good. Less ventilation concerns. And they are great if you move a lot (so the alternator keeps the batteries charged) or you have a reasonable amount of solar panels. But in the spring and autumn when solar produces a quarter of the daily output, it can become a bit more difficult. And solar does almost nothing in the winter. Saying that... I'd go compressor fridge if I had the choice.