Fridge question

Unless the fridge is cold before you leave the 12v setting won't cool the fridge at all its only designed to keep it cold once it is cold so you would be better to leave everything in a good cool bag with some ice blocks then put the fridge on gas fire a couple of hours when you arrive then switch to electric  (if you have it) once it's cold,  then transfer the food.

If it is already cold not knowing make of fridge or van I believe the 12v is fed from the engine so not sure it will make a difference what setting is set. Best thing would be to start the engine from a fully charged battery, put fridge on 12v and see if the 12v light comes on on each setting. Our Knaus only has 1 12v switch that we turn on no different cab or habitation setting.

Most of the modern fridges are 3 way. They decide which power source to use based on 1st 240v .. 2nd Gas .. 3rd 12v

If you plug the MH in to the mains you should be able to switch the fridge on and leave it to cool for 24 hours. If no mains then you can use gas to cool it before you leave. If it's wired correctly then it will switch to 12v as soon as you turn the engine on and if you stop on the way switch to gas. Some of the early ones need to be set manually.

A fridge should not be wired to run off the engine battery as it could discharge it very quickly.

There will be a relay that is switched on by the alternator to provide the 12v

when traveling to a site we want  to cool the fridge down ,on the control panel do I switch the "Vechicle " battery on or the " hab battery" , I know the fridge will need to be switched to 12volt 

Assuming it's the same as it was in my last caravan, that switch is purely to select which battery you're using when parked up ... nothing to do with fridge operation.

Most of the modern fridges are 3 way. They decide which power source to use based on 1st 240v .. 2nd Gas .. 3rd 12v

If you plug the MH in to the mains you should be able to switch the fridge on and leave it to cool for 24 hours. If no mains then you can use gas to cool it before you leave. If it's wired correctly then it will switch to 12v as soon as you turn the engine on and if you stop on the way switch to gas. Some of the early ones need to be set manually.

A fridge should not be wired to run off the engine battery as it could discharge it very quickly.

There will be a relay that is switched on by the alternator to provide the 12v

Write your comments here...Thats only for an AES fridge, most of them you have to choose the power source!

Certainly have to choose in our 2012 Lunar. I never select 12 volt as I am able to cool and stock the fridge prior to leaving on our tours. So for what is seldom more than a 4 hour journey the fridge is itself an excellent cool box.

looks like i'll just plug it in when i get there

Do you store at home Husky? 

No,at my parents and it not possible to plug it in to the mains from where it is parked, but it's only a 4 hour journey, so not a huge issue

husky, to test it at your parents place, start the engine, then turn the fridge to 12v....the power will be coming from the alrernator, not directly from the cab, or hab, battery.

i guess there will be a panel on the fridge with an indicator light, hopefully showint green if its working ok on 12v.

weve always found fridges to be sufficiently effective on 12v to give a reasonable degree of cooling whilst travelling.

at your destination, the fridge should be cold, if all working fine.

Many moons ago up to 25 years ago our fridge was gas only. We would load it up with ice packs when towing up to 6 hours to Highlands. Did the job for us then.