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Hi all, we are getting the overnight ferry from hull to zeebruge tomorrow and  i just wanted to know? if i should unplug the power lead from the van to the car to stop the van drawing power from it, or will the van automatically draw power from the leisure battery and not the car like i think? i know its a dumb question but i just want to make sure.

cheers tarry

Your fridge only draws power from the car when the car's engine is running. It does not draw any power from the caravan battery at any time.

If you have a 3-way switch in your van, then when on Van, it will draw power from the caravan battery to power lights/loo/water pump. It will draw power from the car for the same items, when the 3-way switch is on Car.

If you have any concerns about the circuits in your van, then set the 3-way switch to the middle, cutting all power from either the car or the van, for the duration of the ferry crossing.

Quote: Originally posted by LobeyDosser on 27/7/2012

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Your fridge only draws power from the car when the car's engine is running. It does not draw any power from the caravan battery at any time.

If you have a 3-way switch in your van, then when on Van, it will draw power from the caravan battery to power lights/loo/water pump. It will draw power from the car for the same items, when the 3-way switch is on Car.

If you have any concerns about the circuits in your van, then set the 3-way switch to the middle, cutting all power from either the car or the van, for the duration of the ferry crossing.

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Battery=Car

Main= Hook up

Gas=Gas

The 3 way switch that controls whether car or van is seperate and not on the fridege itself. It will be a rocker switch labelled car on 1 side & van on the other. When set to the middle that is the off position. Some caravans do this automatically though and don't have a switch. If in doubt just unplug the leads from your car for the journey. Im catching the IOW ferry in the morning and this is what I'm going to do.

Quote: Originally posted by LobeyDosser on 27/7/2012

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Your fridge only draws power from the car when the car's engine is running. It does not draw any power from the caravan battery at any time.

If you have a 3-way switch in your van, then when on Van, it will draw power from the caravan battery to power lights/loo/water pump. It will draw power from the car for the same items, when the 3-way switch is on Car.

If you have any concerns about the circuits in your van, then set the 3-way switch to the middle, cutting all power from either the car or the van, for the duration of the ferry crossing.

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Quote: Originally posted by tarry1150 on 27/7/2012

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Hhmmmm, now am really conserned as the wifes just stocked the freezer in the van and its a 13hr crossing so should i turn to gas?

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Quote: Originally posted by Chalkie56 on 27/7/2012

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It will be frowned upon if you switch you fridge on to gas when on the boat. Really if I was you I would get a 2 litre plastic bottle fill it with squash then freeze it and just before you leave your house put the frozen squash bottle in the fridge and keep the door closed. Trust me that will last for hours and keep the fridge cool.

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I have to agree with the above which basically your fridge is acting just like a giant cooler box. As there is no means of other power whilst on the ferry probably this is the safest alternative to keep the food cold.

Quote: Originally posted by tarry1150 on 27/7/2012

Quote: Originally posted by LobeyDosser on 27/7/2012

Your fridge only draws power from the car when the car's engine is running. It does not draw any power from the caravan battery at any time.

If you have a 3-way switch in your van, then when on Van, it will draw power from the caravan battery to power lights/loo/water pump. It will draw power from the car for the same items, when the 3-way switch is on Car.

If you have any concerns about the circuits in your van, then set the 3-way switch to the middle, cutting all power from either the car or the van, for the duration of the ferry crossing.

Hhmmmm, now am really conserned as the wifes just stocked the freezer in the van and its a 13hr crossing so should i turn to gas?

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Put an Iceberg lettuce in the fridge....problem solved!

Or if you see one whilst on deck, ask the captain to steer towards it so you can take a slice and chuck it in the fridge.