Home

   Log in or Register



Insurance Quotes
forums Campsite Search Comp Directory tips virtual brochure Profile
Tent and Awning Reviews Competitions Caravans and Motorhomes For Sale Shopping Diary Advent Calendar

Advertisement

Message Forums
Welcome Guest Register Login Search The Forum Posts Since Last Visit
 Reception - All Forums
  Motorhomes and Campervans 		Share   Post on X / Twitter  Share on Facebook  Email  Printer Friendly Version Print
Subject Topic: Fridge in campervan conversion Post Reply Post New Topic
PersonSusan Forster
via mobile 13/6/2021 at 9:26am
 Location: 
 Outfit: None Entered View Susan Forster's Profile View Profile   Reply to Susan Forster Reply   Quote Susan Forster Quote  
Joined: 02/4/2021

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   6
Site Reviews Total: 0
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
My campervan has a two way fridge 240/12v I'm confused as to how it works off 12v when all threads I've read say you cant run fridge off 12v off grid, it has an invertor fitted in van so does that have to be on for fridge to work? I thought I've been running it from 12v whilst travelling but now I'm not so sure as the switch I flick to travel is actually running the invertor?? I'm so confused so would appreciate any advice as I am going away with no EHU and need to know my fridge will stay cold with no mains!


Personsaxo1
via mobile 13/6/2021 at 9:56am
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: None Entered View saxo1's Profile View Profile   Reply to saxo1 Reply   Quote saxo1 Quote  
Joined: 29/10/2005

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   4485
Site Reviews Total: 0
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
Running the fridge from your battery will flatten you battery in no time, if you run it on 230V from the inverter it is even worse as the inverter uses power to convert 12V to 230V
Saxo1


Campervan and Motorhome Insurance - Special Discount for UKCampsite.co.uk members
Caravan Guard Special Discount for UKCampsite.co.uk members on Campervan and Motorhome Insurance. Get 5 star rated cover and big savings - for a quote simply click Online Quotation

Personfleck2
via mobile 13/6/2021 at 10:33am
 Location: Derbyshire
 Outfit: Elddis accordo Motorhome View fleck2's Profile View Profile   Reply to fleck2 Reply   Quote fleck2 Quote  
Joined: 27/4/2006

Platinum Member
Platinum Member

Forum Posts:   1168
Site Reviews Total: 8
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
It works off mains when on hook up or 12v from the van's alternator when travelling.

Inverter is nothing to do with it.

That's the usual arrangement anyway 😊


PersonCapt Lightning
13/6/2021 at 11:44am
 Location: Turriff Aberdeenshi
 Outfit: Romahome R30 Dimens View Capt Lightning's Profile View Profile   Reply to Capt Lightning Reply   Quote Capt Lightning Quote  
Joined: 17/8/2006

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   2376
Site Reviews Total: 45
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 2  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 2  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 5  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 5
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 6
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 5
Fleck2 is correct - assuming it's an absorption type fridge (ie not a compressor fridge).
The 12 Volt should come through a relay from the vehicle alternator. Non compressor fridges must not be run directly from the leisure battery or they will quickly flatten it. A compressor fridge is different and draw less current so can be run for short periods from a battery.

The 240Volt is from the EHU.

Be careful about the use of an inverter - they are not always very efficient and can quickly drain your battery. OK for small appliances, but not bigger ones like kettles.

-------------
Two drifters off to see the world.

I'm tired of reality, so I'm off to look for a good fantasy.


PersonSusan Forster
via mobile 14/6/2021 at 7:07pm
 Location: 
 Outfit: None Entered View Susan Forster's Profile View Profile   Reply to Susan Forster Reply   Quote Susan Forster Quote  
Joined: 02/4/2021

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   6
Site Reviews Total: 0
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
Thanks for your replies although it hasn't helped me much at all, I understand when connecting to EHU its 240v but are you saying my fridge will not run off battery for 2 days whilst away with no EHU? What is the point of it being 12v then? And why is it fitted with invertor if they dont do anything?


Advertisement



PersonFrancais
14/6/2021 at 7:25pm
 Location: 
 Outfit:  View Francais's Profile View Profile   Reply to Francais Reply   Quote Francais Quote  
Joined: 29/6/2008

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   12115
Tent Reviews:   1
Site Reviews Total: 4
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 1  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 14
Site Nights 2018: 0
Yep for off grid use you need to think about using a gas fridge or better still a compressor fridge.

Also it’s not a good idea to run your battery to below 50% capacity, to help prevent this I use a Aili capacity meter, £28 from eBay, and it gives me a constant reading of were the capacity of my 120Ah battery is at.

Just as an indication, I can run my compressor fridge for 5 days straight before the battery is down to 50%. although the fridge is only a tiny Waeco CF25 but it does a great job.


Personspiritburner
14/6/2021 at 7:31pm
 Location: NE England
 Outfit: Citroen Dispatch Campervan plus tents View spiritburner's Profile View Profile   Reply to spiritburner Reply   Quote spiritburner Quote  
Joined: 02/8/2004

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   1625
Site Reviews Total: 21
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 1  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 2  
Site Reviews 2019: 1  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 2
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 2
Site Nights 2019: 6
Site Nights 2018: 0
Quote: Originally posted by Susan Forster on 14/6/2021
Thanks for your replies although it hasn't helped me much at all, I understand when connecting to EHU its 240v but are you saying my fridge will not run off battery for 2 days whilst away with no EHU? What is the point of it being 12v then? And why is it fitted with invertor if they dont do anything?


Can you tell us what make/model it is?   We have EHU capability in our converted campervan but never used it.   Off-grid our fridge runs off the 12v leisure battery backed by solar - we've only gone 3 days at a time so far without moving & had plenty of juice in the battery. Not sure how long it would run without the solar topping it up.

We don't have an invertor but many vans have them for folk who want to run 240v appliances. We don't. I don't think the invertor will be for your fridge. It would drain the battery in no time off-grid.


PersonJax365
04/7/2021 at 11:04am
 Location: south cheshire
 Outfit: VW Caddy Maxi View Jax365's Profile View Profile   Reply to Jax365 Reply   Quote Jax365 Quote  
Joined: 07/9/2007

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   4034
Site Reviews Total: 7
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 1  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 7
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
Is this a two way gas and 12v fridge? If so, you only use the 12v to keep food cool while on the move, with your engine running. When you're on a site, you use the gas settings.

-------------


PersonColin21
04/7/2021 at 2:13pm
 Location: East Herts
 Outfit: 1992 Elddis Wisp 450CT + X Trail View Colin21's Profile View Profile   Reply to Colin21 Reply   Quote Colin21 Quote  
Joined: 05/11/2013

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   6270
Site Reviews Total: 18
Site Reviews 2024: 1  
Site Reviews 2023: 1  
Site Reviews 2022: 2  
Site Reviews 2021: 2  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 2  
Site Reviews 2018: 3  
Site Nights 2024: 7
Site Nights 2023: 8
Site Nights 2022: 12
Site Nights 2021: 18
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 21
Site Nights 2018: 18
If the fridge is just 12volt/240volt working, it probably is a compressor fridge, but if it has a gas connection it definitely isn't. Compressor fridges can be run from a 12 volt supply for a while, whereas 3 way (including gas) can't. How long you can run a compressor fridge off a battery will depend on how big the battery is, how good it is, and what else you run off it. The function of an inverter is to convert 12 volts DC to 240 volts AC (mains voltage) but they take quite a bit of power out of a battery simply to run themselves. I wouldn't use one for long or for anything that used a lot of power.

If the fridge is a compressor one it is almost certainly a 12 volt fridge and will run off the battery without needing the inverter.


-------------
Best Regards,
Colin


Personmartin734
04/7/2021 at 5:48pm
 Location: 
 Outfit:  View martin734's Profile View Profile   Reply to martin734 Reply   Quote martin734 Quote  
Joined: 23/1/2019

Gold Member
Gold Member

Forum Posts:   203
Site Reviews Total: 2
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 1  
Site Reviews 2021: 1  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 2
Site Nights 2021: 5
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
We have a similarly awkward fridge in our Bongo camper. Our fridge is a compressor type but 12v only. What I have done is to permanently fix a battery charger into the van wired into the 240v circuit so that when we are on EHU the leisure battery is constantly being charged. When driving the split charge system allows us to run the fridge.


Advertisement



PersonElizabeth McCarthy
13/7/2021 at 1:23pm
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: Eldiss 100 Motorhome Peugeot Boxer 2l View Elizabeth McCarthy's Profile View Profile   Reply to Elizabeth McCarthy Reply   Quote Elizabeth McCarthy Quote  
Joined: 13/7/2021

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   1
Site Reviews Total: 1
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 1  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 2
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
Hi folks,

My husband and I have just bought an Eldiss motorhome with a 3 way fridge. We can operate it on EHU and travelling on the vehicle battery but we cannot get the system to work on the gas when we are static. Gas is coming through ok but the peizo lighter does not spark. Before we take it to (no doubt) an expensive caravan repair shop does anyone have any advice for us that might help?

Thanks in advance

Sorry, I'm new to this forum and this should appear under my threads and not Susan's but I don't know how to move it!!!

Post last edited on 13/07/2021 13:29:40


PersonCapt Lightning
13/7/2021 at 4:25pm
 Location: Turriff Aberdeenshi
 Outfit: Romahome R30 Dimens View Capt Lightning's Profile View Profile   Reply to Capt Lightning Reply   Quote Capt Lightning Quote  
Joined: 17/8/2006

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   2376
Site Reviews Total: 45
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 2  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 2  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 5  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 5
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 6
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 5
Does it have a peizo ie a push button that goes 'click'? If so, it's not actually easy to see the spark through the 'window'. If it definitely isn't sparking, then you can replace the peizo. A genuine Electrolux (Dometic) is a tad expensive, but you can buy a generic one for around £10 that should do the trick.

-------------
Two drifters off to see the world.

I'm tired of reality, so I'm off to look for a good fantasy.



In order to post a reply you will need to register, or if already registered please log in here

Prev       Next
Quick Links - All Forums - Motorhomes and Campervans - Top of Page

Printer Friendly Version Printable version      Share   Post on X / Twitter  Share on Facebook  Email


Latest News, Discounts and Competitions  see all...

6389 Visitors online !

Free UKCampsite.co.uk Window Sticker  -  Recommend to Friend  -  Add a Missing Campsite

[Message Forums]  [Caravan Sites & Camping]  [Company Listings]  [Features / Advice]  [Virtual Brochure]  [Shop!]
[Reception]  [Competitions]  [Caravans & Motorhomes For Sale]  [Event Diary]  [Contact Us]  [Tent Reviews] 



Please note we are not responsible for the content of external sites & any reviews represent the author's personal view only. Please report any error here. You may view our privacy and cookie policy and terms and conditions here. All copyrights & other intellectual property rights in the design and content of this web site are reserved to the UKCampsite.co.uk © 1999 - 2024


Advertisement
Advertisement


UKCampsite.co.uk
2024 Advent Calendar

Advent Calendar

24 Daily Prizes PLUS a Christmas Day Star Prize worth £999

Request a Reminder