Plymouth to Santander Ferry - is EHU available for Fridge/Freezer ?

[Dorwyn]

I inadvertently left the fridge on gas. When I remembered they would not let me back into the hold. Luckily no big explosions and the ship didn't sink.

 

[busby]

O

They didn't even check that with us. All customs wanted to know about was pets, no pets = on our way. I really think the sandwich thing was a media stunt.

It was,Apparently the driver in question was a regular and knew the Dutch customs..It was done as a joke.BUSBY.

 

[Lenny HB]

Thought 12 volt only worked when ignition is on. The 12 volt supply is from the vehicle battery not the leisure..BUSBY.

Every van we have had if you select 12v manually it runs from the hab battery.

 

[cmcardle75]

Every van we have had if you select 12v manually it runs from the hab battery.

Strange! I've never seen a 3 way fridge that wasn't wired for the 12V element (not the control electronics/light etc) to only operate with the engine running (or at least the ignition on) and presumably directly wired to the cab side (I guess it could be to the hab side, but the split charge relay would be connected, so a bit of a moot point). I've never had a fancy AES fridge, though. I guess they surmise that if you switch manually you know what you're doing.

In any case, I would not want to use 12V on a 3 way fridge from the hab battery. The elements are typically 8A. They would use more than you'd it want to from a typical standard 110A leisure battery in about 8 hours. Even if it was thermostatically controlled (sometimes no thermostat for 12V), you'd have a flat battery when you got to Spain.

 

[Lenny HB]

Strange! I've never seen a 3 way fridge that wasn't wired for the 12V element (not the control electronics/light etc) to only operate with the engine running (or at least the ignition on) and presumably directly wired to the cab side (I guess it could be to the hab side, but the split charge relay would be connected, so a bit of a moot point). I've never had a fancy AES fridge, though. I guess they surmise that if you switch manually you know what you're doing.

In any case, I would not want to use 12V on a 3 way fridge from the hab battery. The elements are typically 8A. They would use more than you'd it want to from a typical standard 110A leisure battery in about 8 hours. Even if it was thermostatically controlled (sometimes no thermostat for 12V), you'd have a flat battery when you got to Spain.

Fairly standard on German van's, if it doesn't work off the hab battery how you going to run it on 12v when you have plenty of solar.
When my batteries are charged and there is plenty of solar output, my regulator sends a signal to the fridge telling it to switch to 12v.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[2657]

Fairly standard on German van's, if it doesn't work off the hab battery how you going to run it on 12v when you have plenty of solar.
When my batteries are charged and there is plenty of solar output, my regulator sends a signal to the fridge telling it to switch to 12v.

Not standard on our Globecar, no soIar, only works on 12v when the engine is running.
I have no idea which battery is used doesn't matter when the engine is running and both being charged.

 

[jongood]

Fairly standard on German van's, if it doesn't work off the hab battery how you going to run it on 12v when you have plenty of solar.
When my batteries are charged and there is plenty of solar output, my regulator sends a signal to the fridge telling it to switch to 12v.

Would that work on a ferry? My Votronic relies on elevated battery voltage ( asfaik)

 

[royandsharont]

Interesting replies. We did the same re frozen milk etc to keep cold on the NSF overnight route Hull to Zeebrugge & the fridge was always ok after 17 hours off. New van will have a compressor fridge so that should be even better reading some of the replies.
Re the food I understood it that only meat & dairy were not allowed so if you had marked & intact provable frozen vegan foods or salads, vegetables & the like these were all okay. Some seem to be suggesting otherwise on here. Anyone done it & know for certain what the border staff are saying upon arrival would be helpful.

 

[Barclaybasher]

4 weeks ago, not checked at Plymouth or Santander, flew back from Spain a week ago with a whole Chorizo in my hand luggage - scanned at Palma airport and East Midlands - not asked to open case either time

 

[busby]

Every van we have had if you select 12v manually it runs from the hab battery.

Not on any van I have owned Lenny but have only had one brand new one,,Trigano,it didn't on that.Probably only available on really posh vans BUSBY.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[DelMar]

Fridge will only run on battery when the engine is running. No ehu available on the Pont Aven.

 

[Lenny HB]

Fridge will only run on battery when the engine is running. No ehu available on the Pont Aven.

Depends on the van.

 

[Sapper520]

My fridge works without engine running, no 12v switched on and no EHU.

From the user manual the compressor fridge on my van is powered via the leisure batteries without the need for the 12v system to be switched on.

When the van is running vehicle and leisure get charged.

EHU charges the leisure side with a float charge for the vehicle battery.

Our 130w solar system is set 70% leisure / 30% vehicle.

Hopefully that’s all charging bases covered.

 

[nicholsong]

My fridge works without engine running, no 12v switched on and no EHU.

From the user manual the compressor fridge on my van is powered via the leisure batteries without the need for the 12v system to be switched on.

When the van is running vehicle and leisure get charged.

EHU charges the leisure side with a float charge for the vehicle battery.

Our 130w solar system is set 70% leisure / 30% vehicle.

Hopefully that’s all charging bases covered.

Now all you need to explain is how the solar will work underneath the vehicle deck on the ferry.

 

[Googlebot]

Now all you need to explain is how the solar will work underneath the vehicle deck on the ferry.

I use a big torch running off the hab batteries.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Chris]

Our booked crossing is a two nighter, so our fridge will be empty.

What , no beer?

 

[Lenny HB]

Would that work on a ferry? My Votronic relies on elevated battery voltage ( asfaik)

Not unless you are on an open deck.

 

[Barclaybasher]

Not unless you are on an open deck.

not happening ..... most ferries are running almost empty...... and the crew still want you to park inches away from the vehicle in front...

 

[Lenny HB]

not happening ..... most ferries are running almost empty...... and the crew still want you to park inches away from the vehicle in front...

Never worked out why they do that, you would think they would want to distribute the load.

 

[sciac2001]

What , no beer?

What was I thinking?
Although Spanish shops sell exactly the beers that I like, but yes, a risky strategy in case it goes pear shaped!,
Thanks for the sobering hint!

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Lenny HB]

Lidl sell English Real ale in Spain.

 

[royandsharont]

not happening ..... most ferries are running almost empty...... and the crew still want you to park inches away from the vehicle in front...

Never worked out why they do that, you would think they would want to distribute the load.

I believe it is so that if a vehicle breaks loose then the distance & momentum it can generate is restricted so as to reduce overall damage and keep ship’s stability as best it can

 

[Sapper520]

Now all you need to explain is how the solar will work underneath the vehicle deck on the ferry.

Night time (power saving mode) setting on the fridge, 2 x 110 batteries fully charged by the journey to the ferry…..think they’ll last 20 hours.

 

[Chris]

What was I thinking?
Although Spanish shops sell exactly the beers that I like, but yes, a risky strategy in case it goes pear shaped!,
Thanks for the sobering hint!

Based on experience sadly.

Take lots of beer

 

[Clive Bishop]

We are booked on the Plymouth to Santander ferry ( Brittany ferries Pont Aven ship ) and wondered if anyone knows whether there is mains hook-up available or can you run the fridge freezer on gas during the crossing to keep it cold during the 20+ hrs crossing ?

I have done Portsmouth to Spain on various ferries with American Rvs and have always left my fridge working on gas and never been asked to turn them off.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Lenny HB]

I have done Portsmouth to Spain on various ferries with American Rvs and have always left my fridge working on gas and never been asked to turn them off.

Very dangerous and against maritime regulations.

 

[BrianHHill]

We've done that crossing many times. Never had a problem with defrosting. In the summer we might put some freezer blocks in the fridge to help.

 

[Midnightflyer]

No hook up only 440 Volt for truck fridges

 

[Vanderek]

I have done Portsmouth to Spain on various ferries with American Rvs and have always left my fridge working on gas and never been asked to turn them off.

Brittany Ferries web site states..

We carry both Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) and Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) vehicles on board all our vessels providing the vehicle is a recognised manufactured model with standard specification. The gas cylinder MUST be switched off prior to embarkation

 

[Jonno1103]

Never had a fridge issue using the Spanish ferries even in the days of Pride of Bilbao which did the route at a snails pace. Loads of European supermarkets out there without height barriers too.

Nothing to worry about.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}