Fridge question (1 Viewer)

[mustaphapint]

I've read that running a fridge when the van is not level can be detrimental to the life of the fridge. I also understand that the fridge uses different technology to run on gas, mains or 12 volt. If I have to leave the van parked where I cannot get it level does it make any difference if I leave the fridge running on mains or 12 volt?
Our van is wired so I can do either and I can keep the battery topped up with the mains supply.

 

[Lenny HB]

The fridge uses the same technology regardless of energy type, it uses either gas burner, a 12v heating element or a 240v heating element to heat the refrigerant.
I have heard some say it shortens the life if not level but I've never seen any evidence of it. If not level the refrigerant does not circulate properly, some fridges are more tolerant than others we have found the large Dometic fridge freezers very tolerant of angle had them running OK on quite steep slopes.

 

[icantremember]

Unless you have a special fridge you will not be able to run it on 12v without the engine running (ie while parked up)

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[Lenny HB]

Unless you have a special fridge you will not be able to run it on 12v without the engine running (ie while parked up)

Depends on how your van is wired, you can on Hymers but batteries don't last long.

 

[mustaphapint]

Unless you have a special fridge you will not be able to run it on 12v without the engine running (ie while parked up)

Depends on how your van is wired, you can on Hymers but batteries don't last long.

Our van is wired so the fridge can run on 12 volts anytime. We frequently leave it on for short periods (up to a couple of hours). In this case I'm parked on a sloping drive and I could leave the fridge on battery while still connected to the mains indefinitely. However according to Lenny's explanation there isn't any point. I thought I'd read somewhere that 12v uses a different cooling method to 240v (absorption or something) but apparently not.

 

[icantremember]

Depends on how your van is wired, you can on Hymers but batteries don't last long.

I've got a Hymer and don't think the fridge will run on 12v ... but there again I haven't tried it.

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[Lenny HB]

I've got a Hymer and don't think the fridge will run on 12v ... but there again I haven't tried it.

What year? Happens from about 2008
I pulled the AES fuse on my 2008 Hymer, on my 2014 only happens it you select 12 v manually, I still pulled the fuse.

 

[icantremember]

What year?

2015 .. I will check next time we are out in it.

 

[DBK]

Our van is wired so the fridge can run on 12 volts anytime. We frequently leave it on for short periods (up to a couple of hours). In this case I'm parked on a sloping drive and I could leave the fridge on battery while still connected to the mains indefinitely. However according to Lenny's explanation there isn't any point. I thought I'd read somewhere that 12v uses a different cooling method to 240v (absorption or something) but apparently not.

You might be half remembering something about 12 volt compressor refrigerators. The vast majority of caravan and MH 'fridges are absorption types which run on 12 volt, 240 volt or gas but as mentioned, the only difference is how they heat the fairy dust which circulates around the gubbins inside.
12 volt compressor' fridges work like a typical domestic 'fridge in that they have an electrically driven compressor moving the fairy dust around. These type of' fridge work well at high ambient temperature, use much less electrical power and can be installed without external vents. But of course if working off grid without solar or in winter the batteries will be run down as there no gas alternative.

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