I have a 3 way Dometic fridge that wont switch off even with 240v disconnectEd, not connected to vehicle 12v, just operating on van battery now but still cant turn off. Has anyone replaced the on/off switch ? ( at top of fridge control panel ) it is operating normally on either gas, 240v or vehicle 12v. Tried reset to no avail. Any sugges would be greatly appreciated
Dick0 said
03:19 PM Jun 29, 2025
Welcome to the Forum.
Can't quite figure out what you want to turn off if the fridge is working ok on gas/240v/12v.
Is it a manual setting fridge or one with automatic energy sensing (AES).
Also, you should never operate these fridges from 12v auxiliary batteries.
Rodsvan said
03:42 AM Jun 30, 2025
It sounds to me as if the fridge has been wired in to the caravan battery for 12v operation. It is more common that 12v power for the fridge is provided from the tow vehicle either via one of the pins on your 12 pin trailer connection plug (no. 12 I think), or from an anderson plug. Either way there should be a relay so that power is only supplied while the engine is running.
If your fridge power selection switch has an off setting but it is not switching off, your switch may be faulty, or something could be wired up incorrectly. As the fridge power sources include 240v, I'd think that you'd need a licensed electrician for any repairs in that area.
Cupie said
03:36 PM Jun 30, 2025
As a temp fix just disconnect the van battery, but I suppose that you have already done that.
I have never looked at replacing my fridge battery but a check of the manufacturers web site might reveal a manual that may help.
If I were going down that path I would do two things
. Fit LEDs to show which power source is in use.
. Rewire or insert a switch or whatever to allow the removal of the van battery as a charge source.
In my case, I installed a larger cable from the fridge to an Anderson plug and two input Andersons ... one from the A frame to allow charging from the tow vehicle, and the other to the Van's 12v system.
Stevesandy50 said
06:42 PM Jun 30, 2025
Thanks Cupie, yes as you say I did disconnect the power wire to the fridge for the time being. But when we are on the road its not really an issue because the fridge is always on 24/7. I pulled the switch apart yesterday and I think its the circuit board there. $500 to replace ? Regards
Steve
Stevesandy50 said
06:45 PM Jun 30, 2025
Thanks Richard, yes as you say I did disconnect the power wire to the fridge for the time being. But when we are on the road its not really an issue because the fridge is always on 24/7. I pulled the switch apart yesterday and I think its the circuit board there. $500 to replace ? Regards Steve
Stevesandy50 said
06:47 PM Jun 30, 2025
Thanks Rod, Yes as you say its not a problem when we are on the road. But its just when we are home for a while. But when we are on the road its not really an issue because the fridge is always on 24/7. I pulled the switch apart yesterday and I think its the circuit board there. $500 to replace ? Regards
I have a 3 way Dometic fridge that wont switch off even with 240v disconnectEd, not connected to vehicle 12v, just operating on van battery now but still cant turn off. Has anyone replaced the on/off switch ? ( at top of fridge control panel ) it is operating normally on either gas, 240v or vehicle 12v. Tried reset to no avail. Any sugges would be greatly appreciated
Welcome to the Forum.
Can't quite figure out what you want to turn off if the fridge is working ok on gas/240v/12v.
Is it a manual setting fridge or one with automatic energy sensing (AES).
Also, you should never operate these fridges from 12v auxiliary batteries.
If your fridge power selection switch has an off setting but it is not switching off, your switch may be faulty, or something could be wired up incorrectly. As the fridge power sources include 240v, I'd think that you'd need a licensed electrician for any repairs in that area.
As a temp fix just disconnect the van battery, but I suppose that you have already done that.
I have never looked at replacing my fridge battery but a check of the manufacturers web site might reveal a manual that may help.
If I were going down that path I would do two things
. Fit LEDs to show which power source is in use.
. Rewire or insert a switch or whatever to allow the removal of the van battery as a charge source.
In my case, I installed a larger cable from the fridge to an Anderson plug and two input Andersons ... one from the A frame to allow charging from the tow vehicle, and the other to the Van's 12v system.
Steve
Thanks Richard, yes as you say I did disconnect the power wire to the fridge for the time being. But when we are on the road its not really an issue because the fridge is always on 24/7. I pulled the switch apart yesterday and I think its the circuit board there. $500 to replace ? Regards
Steve
Thanks Rod, Yes as you say its not a problem when we are on the road. But its just when we are home for a while. But when we are on the road its not really an issue because the fridge is always on 24/7. I pulled the switch apart yesterday and I think its the circuit board there. $500 to replace ? Regards
Steve