Knaus electrics

The purpose referred to is towability and compliance with road vehicle construction and use regulations, and that doesn't include use of a refrigerator while on the move.

As another Starclass 695 owner, I can confirm that Knaus do not connect the fridge for 12v supply whilst towing.

It seems the 12v fridge supply on the Schaudt control unit is not rated high enough to adequately supply the 170w Dometic fridge. That is obviously why Knaus don’t connect it though it begs the question why Knaus build and supply a van with incompatible components! 

I am sure KnausCol (another Starclass 695 owner) will be along before long to explain the lengthy investigations he has had done by his dealer, including bringing in a '12v electrical expert' to investigate the problem he had with his.  It has been resolved by by-passing the Schaudt unit and wiring the fridge directly to the car supply. So it's nothing to do with smart alternators or the like.

I'm leaving ours as it is for the moment because, even after towing on a hot day for 3 or 4 hours, we haven't had a problem with the freezer defrosting - it just acts like a big cool box and is fine for that sort of period - but it may be an issue if you are contemplating lengthy trips in Europe in the summer.

 

Just as an aside, creekseacaravaner - if you are not aware, there is a Knaus Caravans Group on Facebook on which this topic has been discussed at length - and many others - and is a useful source of information for us Knaus owners. Well worth joining

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They will if the wiring has been modified  to the caravan to fool the "smart ?"alternator that the fridge needs power as well as the tow vehicle 

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Checked circuit diagrams no sign of 12v supply to fridge I wished I had known this before I bought the van just assumed as it was built for UK market it would have a 12v supply whist towing. Have checked cars socket with meter and is okay and the car is registered as a commercial vehicle so should be man enough

Thanks for all the info

CSC - I was of the same opinion - but as I have said - in practice, it hasn't presented us with a problem which is why I've not bothered to do anything about it.  We always have the fridge/freezer on for two or three days before we go away, so it's well down to temperature before we set off and three or four hours without any power to it hasn't had any discernable effect.

I assume the Knaus caravan is fitted with a standard caravan 3 way fridge despite no wiring for the 12v heater, if so, it should just be a case of adding a few feet of cable to the back of the fridge from where the cable enters the front of the caravan (& maybe adding the 12v heater)