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I think it's the car battery that runs the fridge while you are towing, I don't think the onboard battery has a connection to the fridge.

At least that's how I read my wiring schematic.

It would be unusual for the fridge 12v to come from the on-board battery, but I have heard of ones wired that way.

It would flatten the battery in a very short space of time!

Glen

  If I can hijack the thread slightly, but with relevant question....

   I've just had my first caravanning experience last weekend, the only puzzle was when I hitched up to drive off, the car displayed a 'low battery, start engine to charge' the car ran OK, showing 'charging battery' for five minutes. I wondered if it was referring to charging the leisure battery, to which I assume it's connected, as I would have taken some charge out when using the mover.

Just to clarify a point. 

No purpose built caravan fridge runs off of a battery.  The only connection to the caravan battery will be for any warning light, interior light or gas ignition.

The fridge will only operate on 12 volts when it is connected to the towing vehicle AND the engine is running at normal operating speed ( ie not just idling )

On site the fridge will only run off 230/240 volts mains or gas.

Red Mick:  Similarly, I would not have thought your car would be indicating the charge available in the leisure battery.  I don't know but would have thought that it is more than likely to be low voltage on the car's battery.

DaveS1

Quote: Originally posted by DaveS1 on 22/2/2012

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Red Mick:  Similarly, I would not have thought your car would be indicating the charge available in the leisure battery.  I don't know but would have thought that it is more than likely to be low voltage on the car's battery.

DaveS1

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For red Mick (and others)

Most modern cars will have an 'economy mode' for the electrics when engine not running but with electrical consumers in use, so:

You may have had the ignition on/engine off to check lights? even just the driver door or tailagate open/ajar for 5 minutes may trigger this economy mode, use of electric windows, wipers, interior lamps may be shutdown until the cars computer sees a suitable voltage (charging voltage 13.5 -14.5 volts apoprox)

It's to conserve battery power for start up (high current draw required to start an engine), it's totally normal, but it is good practice to only use/test electrics with engine running as it keeps all electics 'online'.

'Economy mode' may also be refferred to as 'limited strategy mode' and 'electrical consumer shutdown', amongst others,

Defininition = I am stopping you using the electrical accessories because otherwise the engine won't start, start me up now please.

If you see a red battery warning symbol or 'charging fault-visit workshop' or similar, there's an issue you need to sort before setting off - towing or otherwise.

Hope this helps someone.