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
   Caravans and Caravanning -  Caravan Repairs, Servicing and Maintenance 		Share   Post on X / Twitter  Share on Facebook  Email  Printer Friendly Version Print
Subject Topic: 12v wiring Post Reply Post New Topic
Persondrcrump
13/3/2014 at 8:15pm
 Location: lincolnshire
 Outfit: Mustang View drcrump's Profile View Profile   Reply to drcrump Reply   Quote drcrump Quote  
Joined: 31/12/2013

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   11
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
I am currently renovating a classic Mustang caravan and as part of the renovation i am renewing and updating alot of the wiring.
I am installing a Zig control unit that will allow me to select between car or caravan battery and also switch on/off the pump, lights & aux. This is all working fine but i cannot get the feed to go through my habitation relay to power the fridge. I have a 12v feed from my battery up to the car/caravan switch this then goes down to my relay, wire 6 (red) from my car wiring also goes into this relay so dependent on the voltage the relay it detects it switches automatically. Currently i can only use the caravan battery and this is fully charged (13v) but it does not switch over to power my fridge. Can anyone suggest why not?
Thanks in advance for any advice


Personmichell8
13/3/2014 at 8:43pm
 Location: 
 Outfit:  View michell8's Profile View Profile   Reply to michell8 Reply   Quote michell8 Quote  
Joined: 11/2/2014

Platinum Member
Platinum Member

Forum Posts:   1061
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
A caravan 3way fridge can only run on 12v while being towed by car with engine running, it cannot be run from caravan leisure battery while on site, if thats what you mean. The high current draw at 12v means it can only be run from car battery while towing.


Persondrcrump
13/3/2014 at 8:46pm
 Location: lincolnshire
 Outfit: Mustang View drcrump's Profile View Profile   Reply to drcrump Reply   Quote drcrump Quote  
Joined: 31/12/2013

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   11
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
Safari as I can see it is only gas or 12v as the van has an add on 240v system
Would I only be able to use gas on site then?


Personmichell8
13/3/2014 at 8:50pm
 Location: 
 Outfit:  View michell8's Profile View Profile   Reply to michell8 Reply   Quote michell8 Quote  
Joined: 11/2/2014

Platinum Member
Platinum Member

Forum Posts:   1061
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
A caravan fridge is 3way, ie it can run on gas or mains ehu on site & 12v while towing. If fridge is very old, ie 1970s I do recall there were 2way fridges then so then yes you would have to run it on gas on site if it has no 240v element. It might be an idea to fit a more modern fridge.


Personsheppma
21/3/2014 at 5:18pm
 Location: South Wales
 Outfit: Swift Celeste Mondeo 2.0l TDCI Zetec View sheppma's Profile View Profile   Reply to sheppma Reply   Quote sheppma Quote  
Joined: 01/5/2007

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   33
Site Reviews Total: 1
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
As stated normally the fridge is only supplied with 12v from the car when the engine is running, this is because the fridge will draw a lot of power on 12v and would quickly run the caravan battery flat.
You could bodge it to make the caravan battery supply the fridge but I wouldn't recommend it.

-------------
Wish it was summer all year


Advertisement



PersonColin21
21/3/2014 at 11:37pm
 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 you wanted to run the fridge off the caravan battery, you would need to change it for a compressor fridge, but then you couldn't run it on gas. Compressor fridges use much less battery power than absorption fridges popularly used in caravans. The one I had on my boat once ran for a week, because I accidentally left it switched on, and there was still plenty of power left in the battery because if there hadn't been the fridge would have switched off. It had a battery-voltage sensing device.

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



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 - Caravan Repairs, Servicing and Maintenance - Top of Page

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


Latest News, Discounts and Competitions  see all...

10809 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