Problems of fridge on 12 v

Mona Owner

Mona Owner

Joined
Oct 2, 2020
Posts
171
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177
Location
Woking, Surrey
Funster No
76,495
MH
Autotrail Apache 634
Exp
Since 2020
I have a Dometic 3 power sources fridge. Being new to this MoHo thing, I was wondering about running it on 12v.
The thing works well on 240v hook up and on gas. But when we are either stationary engine off in a carpark etc. or on the move, the 12v led flashes, red triangle flashes and beeper sounds. So it's not working on12v.
All other 12v stuff works and leisure battery shows 12v and vehicle battery shows 12.5v.
Not sure what to look for next.
Many thanks for your time.
AlC
 
Greetings peeps welcome from Bexley
 
You need to run your fridge on gas or mains when camping. The 12v would flatten your battery in a very short time as the fridge is power hungry.
So gas or 240v hookup for the fridge.
Your 12v is while your travelling & nothing else.
 
ambulancekidd said:
You need to run your fridge on gas or mains when camping. The 12v would flatten your battery in a very short time as the fridge is power hungry.
So gas or 240v hookup for the fridge.
Your 12v is while your travelling & nothing else.
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Yes, but the fridge isn't working when the vehicle is on the move.
 
We leave ours on automatic that way you don’t need to worry what source you are using as 12v will only cut in when engine is running😊

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If it’s like mine (2003 auto trail) then the 12v only works when the engine is running to maintain temp while on the move. I understand they are quite a draw on the 12v system otherwise. They aren’t quite the same as 12v fridges in smaller vehicles. Some have fitted inverters off big battery banks and huge solar (modern fridges take the surplus solar via AES system). Could be that the flashing is to tell you to choose a different power sources (ehu or gas). If it’s not working when on the move it could be a relay somewhere. Someone with more knowledge of your era van will be along soon I’m sure. 12v charge in the leisure battery might indicate that there is not much capacity in the batteries? Perhaps only 25%. Good luck
 
On my van there is a 20 amp fuse near the engine battery, I seem to remember when my fridge wasn't working with the engine running this fuse was the problem.
 
Thanks Eggs The only other thing I can think of is a blown 12v fridge element, not an uncommon fault..
 
ambulancekidd said:
Thanks Eggs The only other thing I can think of is a blown 12v fridge element, not an uncommon fault..
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I just hope I've remembered correctly, the more I think about I'm fairly certain I was messing with fuses on the fridge control board at the same time.

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There is a trouble shooting guide in the fridge instruction manual. It gives the meaning of the different sequence of beeps. Might help to find the cause.

If you haven’t got the manual, post the sequence and number of beeps and I, or somebody will look it up for you.
 
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Some motorhomes have a fuse block under the bonnet. The fuse used is often close to the running current and consequently gets hot, and this in turn weakens the fuse base making it fail. If this is found to be the case there may be a spare fuse base that you could use. You will need to move the corresponding wires to this position. It may also help to use a marginally higher fuse rating but this must be a considered action as the fuse is a safety device.
 
Potty said:
The OP hasn’t said it isn’t working when travelling.
The fridge is working exactly as it is meant to. When you are ready to travel, select 12v, it will beep until you start the engine when it will be powered by the alternator via a relay. When you stop it will beep, then select gas or 240v.
12v from the leisure battery is only used for the control panel and the internal light.
A read through of the fridge’s instruction book will confirm this.

When stopped for fuel, do not switch over to gas but then your gas should be turned off for travelling anyway.
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Are you sure the OP didn't say 'on the move'?
 
If yours is a manual operated fridge (MES) the Dometic manual shows that a flashing battery sign and triangle and bleeping = 12v not available or voltage too low.
Remedy = Check 12v connection , on-board battery , fuse.
 
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Eggs said:
Yes he did, 'stationary or on the move'.
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Must have been edited then before I read it?😊 But you are correct my bad🙄🙄
 
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So,to clarify,the fridge doesn’t work on 12v on the move. Correct.

Probably a fuse. Please tell us when you’ve carefully checked your fuses.
 
Alan Cousins said:
I have a Dometic 3 power sources fridge. Being new to this MoHo thing, I was wondering about running it on 12v.
The thing works well on 240v hook up and on gas. But when we are either stationary engine off in a carpark etc. or on the move, the 12v led flashes, red triangle flashes and beeper sounds. So it's not working on12v.
All other 12v stuff works and leisure battery shows 12v and vehicle battery shows 12.5v.
Not sure what to look for next.
Many thanks for your time.
AlC
Click to expand...
Thinking back to when we had our 2013 Autotrail Tracker FB, we took a trip up to Orkney and on our way up we wilded for a couple of nights and had that exact problem, however we bought a cool box fo emergency use but found that when we eventually hooked up and recharged batteries fully everything worked again as it should and could only assume the batteries were not charged enough to power fridge.🤔 Never had that happen again as it taught me to keep an eye on state of charge of batteries 😊
 
GeoffnDee said:
If yours is a manual operated fridge (MES) the Dometic manual shows that a flashing battery sign and triangle and bleeping = 12v not available or voltage too low.
Remedy = Check 12v connection , on-board battery , fuse.
Click to expand...
There also may be a Fridge D+ fuse in the Sargent PSU fuse board and will cause your problem with the engine running if faulty/blown and, as has been said it should not operate on 12v when not running anyway, but will flash and bleep as a warning to switch to gas or 230v when parked.
 
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Podney said:
So,to clarify,the fridge doesn’t work on 12v on the move. Correct.

Probably a fuse. Please tell us when you’ve carefully checked your fuses.
Click to expand...
So yes to clarify no operation on 12v on the move.
But just amazing that everyone is so very helpful. This is clearly the best website for us newbies. Thanks to everyone.
 
Eggs said:
Alan Cousins have you checked the fuses?
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Hi Eggs
I have checked 2 fuses marked Fridge and Fridge D+ located behind driver's seat in a unit called an EM40 Interface Unit. Both ok.
So all 12 volt stuff is working i.e. lights etc. But fridge not working on the move.
I will start looking for any more fuses I guess.
But thanks for you continued assistance.

In the middle of a field in very windy Wiltshire at the mo, so may need to do more when back home.
AlanC

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Alan Cousins said:
Hi Eggs
I have checked 2 fuses marked Fridge and Fridge D+ located behind driver's seat in a unit called an EM40 Interface Unit. Both ok.
So all 12 volt stuff is working i.e. lights etc. But fridge not working on the move.
I will start looking for any more fuses I guess.
But thanks for you continued assistance.

In the middle of a field in very windy Wiltshire at the mo, so may need to do more when back home.
AlanC
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12v element failed?, after that I'm snookered. Oh, hang on, my mate had this problem, one of the wires had come adrift at the rear of the fridge. We got at it by removing the bottom vent from outside.
 
If anyone is still here and you haven't given up the will to live with my incessant questions - I have seen there is an 8 x AA 1.5v battery box, if I pull out the entire fridge control unit. This has no batteries in it at all. Likely to be relevant?
Eggs said:
12v element failed?, after that I'm snookered. Oh, hang on, my mate had this problem, one of the wires had come adrift at the rear of the fridge. We got at it by removing the bottom vent from outside.
Click to expand...
I will give it a looksie if and when this storm passes! Many thanks.
 
Alan Cousins said:
If anyone is still here and you haven't given up the will to live with my incessant questions - I have seen there is an 8 x AA 1.5v battery box, if I pull out the entire fridge control unit. This has no batteries in it at all. Likely to be relevant?

I will give it a looksie if and when this storm passes! Many thanks.
Click to expand...
I've never had a fridge with the AA batteries so not sure, I believe they are for the manual ignition. I'm sure someone who has a similar set up will be along soon.
 
If your fridge is the same as mine,or similar, Dometic RMS8401, the manual states that if the 12v element is defective the battery and temperature level display will flash + an acoustic signal , The fault code that you are getting shows that 12v is not available or too low. Perhaps a poor connection ? or a faulty relay.
The battery box is normally not used when another source of power (Motorhome batteries) is present. It can , when required, be used as a self contained power supply for the fridge electronics, but should not be needed in your case.
 
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Alan Cousins if you put @ in front of the persons forum name it will aler them to your reply and show blue on your pos without the @😊

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