Power source for fridge whist travelling?
34 replies
Paolo Imberino replied on 22/07/2017 08:50
Posted on 21/07/2017 17:33 by Paolo ImberinoI've a Motorhome Bolero 714SB with 2 habitation batterys. When travelling on a 5 hour trip to our destination should I run the fridge on habitation batterys or gas? On arrival we're always hooked up to electric. Your thoughts please..
Posted on 22/07/2017 08:50
Thanks to one and all. Mostly everyone says use engine battery whilst driving. The handbook says
"When using 12V (from the towing
vehicle / motorhome alternator) to power
the fridge, the fridge will only maintain its
temperature, and will not ‘cool’ further. 230V or
Gas power should be used for a sufficient time
to cool the fridge prior to using 12V power".
So you have to use gas/electric prior to departure then vehicle battery to retain the reached temperature knowing the vehicle battery will not cool any further.
My fridge has an auto function. We bring vehicle home night before to load. Fridge only switched on when travelling to destination. Knowing now that the vehicle battery doesn't cool explains why my chocolate mouse is warm on arrival! Here on I'll pre-
chill fridge with gas then auto mode will switch to vehicle battery on route.
Thanks everyone. Another aspect of my learning curve now sorted.
Spriddler replied on 22/07/2017 09:35
Posted on 22/07/2017 09:35
You've got it, Paolo, except that you need to erase all thoughts of a 'battery' being involved. There is no connection between any battery and the fridge (except on some models the habitation 12V battery powers the fridge igniter).
When the engine is running the fridge is powered directly from the engine's alternator and there is no battery involved at all. The fridge never runs from a battery (any battery) at any time.
Yes, cool the fridge before putting food inside either by mains hook-up or by gas, then your 'auto' function will do the rest.
SteveL replied on 22/07/2017 09:41
Posted on 22/07/2017 09:35 by SpriddlerYou've got it, Paolo, except that you need to erase all thoughts of a 'battery' being involved. There is no connection between any battery and the fridge (except on some models the habitation 12V battery powers the fridge igniter).
When the engine is running the fridge is powered directly from the engine's alternator and there is no battery involved at all. The fridge never runs from a battery (any battery) at any time.
Yes, cool the fridge before putting food inside either by mains hook-up or by gas, then your 'auto' function will do the rest.
ABM replied on 22/07/2017 14:44
Posted on 22/07/2017 09:35 by SpriddlerYou've got it, Paolo, except that you need to erase all thoughts of a 'battery' being involved. There is no connection between any battery and the fridge (except on some models the habitation 12V battery powers the fridge igniter).
When the engine is running the fridge is powered directly from the engine's alternator and there is no battery involved at all. The fridge never runs from a battery (any battery) at any time.
Yes, cool the fridge before putting food inside either by mains hook-up or by gas, then your 'auto' function will do the rest.
Posted on 22/07/2017 14:44
Sorry, Spriddler, it will depend on the TYPE of fridge == mine is a Compressor fridge & only works on electrickery, and with a twin prod of my index finger I can power mine up, from the habitation battery, anywhere even in the car park outside my favourite M & S Foodhall !!
hitchglitch replied on 22/07/2017 15:02
Posted on 22/07/2017 08:39 by ThornsettWithout knowing anything about Paolo's fridge, I can't help him other than to say our fridge has an automatic selection button and we tend to switch that on and leave the fridge to find the best source of power.
If you have the Truma crash protection cut off, then you can travel with the gas on. We've been travelling with the gas on most of the time since 2000 when our van had an approved system. There are places where the gas/ignition should be off such as fuel stations and tunnels. Many motorhomers travel with the gas on and, it seems, at least as many insist on it being switched off.
Posted on 22/07/2017 15:02
With the Truma cut-out you can travel with the gas on and, in fact, with AutoSleepers the LPG tank is left permanently on except on Eurotunnel, however, when the engine is started you can't use the heating as far as I know. Haven't tried the fridge but on auto it switches to 12 volts anyway.
Cyberyaught, Gaslight clip-on connectors have an isolating lever in the connector.
replied on 22/07/2017 15:12
Posted on 22/07/2017 14:44 by ABMSorry, Spriddler, it will depend on the TYPE of fridge == mine is a Compressor fridge & only works on electrickery, and with a twin prod of my index finger I can power mine up, from the habitation battery, anywhere even in the car park outside my favourite M & S Foodhall !!
ABM replied on 22/07/2017 15:16
Spriddler replied on 22/07/2017 16:38
Posted on 22/07/2017 14:44 by ABMSorry, Spriddler, it will depend on the TYPE of fridge == mine is a Compressor fridge & only works on electrickery, and with a twin prod of my index finger I can power mine up, from the habitation battery, anywhere even in the car park outside my favourite M & S Foodhall !!
Posted on 22/07/2017 16:38
It's the KISS Response, ABM. I gave Paolo to a link to his fridge Users Manual and even told him what page to look at. Paolo hasn't got your fridge.
I could have written a half page treatise to cover all fridge options and possibilities (and to demonstrate how clever I am. 
).
Randomcamper replied on 22/07/2017 17:18
Posted on 22/07/2017 17:18
Even the CEGB
Ahh.....that takes me back to the good old days, my dad worked for them, and after an RTC with his Triumph 2000 Estate he borrowed one of their orange Transit vans to tow our caravan on a family holiday.....
As kids we were so chuffed, and I can still remember the smell of oily tools in the back.......
Happy days.....
Spriddler replied on 22/07/2017 20:54
Posted on 22/07/2017 14:44 by ABMSorry, Spriddler, it will depend on the TYPE of fridge == mine is a Compressor fridge & only works on electrickery, and with a twin prod of my index finger I can power mine up, from the habitation battery, anywhere even in the car park outside my favourite M & S Foodhall !!
Posted on 22/07/2017 20:54
Following my previous reply I've just re-read my 'there's no battery' post.
You have a point in that some fridges can be run from a battery so maybe I should've been more specific and written each time: 'your' fridge instead of 'the' fridge.
I was trying hard to stay focused and comment strictly and only on Paolo's situation and to give as unambiguous a reply as possible as so many subjects seem to drift off topic into irrelevance and confusion!
Paolo Imberino
Motorhomer