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Hi,

I wonder if someone who has a Ranger (ours is a 2007 model) can just clarify how to run the fridge on 12V while towing? Basicially our fridge has 3 settings on a rotating dial, battery, mains or gas. When towing we know to switch this to the battery symbol but do we need to turn the main master power switch on or off? Unlike some vans our main control panel just has 4 buttons, one for the pump, one for the awning light, one for lights and then the master power switch.......this only has on / off as an option and not car / van, etc.

We assumed that you would leave this off which we think turns off all the electrics in the van from the leisure battery but aren't sure if this will still allow the fridge to run from the battery on the car while towing. Or should we leave this switch on?

Unfortunatly the Bailey Manual is not very clear on this so any pointers from other owners would be great!

Cheers

Darren 

• Switches the battery feed from the tow vehicle from feeding caravan 12 volt system to charging the battery


• Isolates the caravan battery from the caravan's 12 volt system


• supplies a feed to the fridge

Quote: Originally posted by Rune Caster on 11/9/2011

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After 1999 all caravans (should) have a habitation relay, this relay does the following when the tow vehicle's engine is running:

• Switches the battery feed from the tow vehicle from feeding caravan 12 volt system to charging the battery
  
• Isolates the caravan battery from the caravan's 12 volt system
  
• supplies a feed to the fridge

This is (should be) done independently of the position of any other switch in the caravan.

One of the problems with many manufactures is that they do not put a heavy enough feed to supply the fridge, this causes a voltage drop problem and the consequent loss of cooling on the fridge - unfortunately Bailey is one of the biggest culprits for this.

With a decent sized feed inside the caravan 12 volts will cool the fridge as well as 240 volt

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Thanks for this, so are we saying that it doesn't matter if the master switch is on or off when the car is connected? The Bailey Manual is useless for working this out!

Quote: Originally posted by phil76 on 11/9/2011

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Hi on our ranger we turn the fridge to the batt setting and leave the master switch in the off position. I'm glad you had a good first trip

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Thanks Phil, and I assume that you have found that this keeps it cool and runs fine then? As we only had a short trip last week to dorset it was hard to tell if it was working as we had left in on 240v the night before to get cold. On the same note is there meant to be a light in the fridge? I didn't see one in ours unless I am going mad.

First trip went really well thanks and our 8 month old slept better in the ranger than at home! Apart from the gales we didn't have any issues and so far have been really pleased with the Ranger as our first van!

Quote: Originally posted by CandP on 11/9/2011

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I thought the fridge when on the car, did not "cool" but maintained the temperature. As the current draw would be too high to have a true cooling effect.
That would solve the mystery I wondered why our fridge didn't freeze up again when on 12 v

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