Our Eagle camper had a 3-way 90L Dometic fridge in it. I would cool it down on power the afternoon before we left. My wife added three frozen water bottles in a couple of shelves & that would keep the fridge cold (the freezer still frozen) after a 700Km drive eg to Rockhampton, Emerald. Milk never went off.
We have just bought a Jayco Discovery Outback & friends have suggested that we run the fridge as we drive. The fridge is a larger 150L model. My second battery in the Patrol charged by a Cetek 20A DC-DC charger. This battery feeds power to my 60L Trailblazer fridge & the CB, as well as going to the Anderson plug where the new van's fridge will plug in.
How much power does a larger 3-way fridge draw on DC? I've heard that it is quite high. I'm prepared to leave the Trailblazer home but I'm afraid I don't entirely trust 3-way fridges in the heat. We're heading back to Victoria/ACT/NSW & back home again again soon & there is often some hot weather somewhere. At some stage, I'll modify the fridge by adding fans top & bottom (as I did in the Eagle).
So my question is will it work? Or will the second battery run out of puff? What do other people do?
Another question - where does one get a schematic drawing of a Jayco van these days? The camper had one in the hand book.
Warren
PS - some "magical" things happen in wiring forms in the A frame!!
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Warren
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If you don't get it done today, there's always tomorrow!
The manual for my RM7401 fridge of 97 litres capacity says
Quote 12 volt operation DC The refrigerator should only be used while the motor is running, otherwise the on-board-battery would be discharged within a few hours Unquote
The above is also what elliemike is saying
In regards to the schematic drawing If you do manage to get one from Jayco, then will you please put up exactly where you got it from, as I would like one for my Jayco Conquest model FD 22 2
We turn the fridge on at home on AC 2 days before we leave home and start loading the fridge the day before we leave , Run the fridge on DC while the motor is run while traveling and turn the fridge while stop for any long break , When staying in a free camp turn fridge to Gas . This has work for us in the last 10 years .
As stated above, the 12 V absorption fridge operation should only be used when the tugs motor is operating. The following diagram is an indication of how they should be connected.
And before the usual rabble come on and say "but my diesel does not have ignition points" this is just a general indication of what should be done and those qualified to do the job will know how to interoperate it.
Take the Trailblazer - great fridge. Have had one for 20 something years with bugger all issues.
Your alternator will produce plenty of grunt to run the 3 way and Trailblazer whilst driving. Just disconnect the Anderson plug when you pull up for stops.
The 3 way will not run off the house battery in the Jayco so switch to gas when stopped for the night, or extended lunch breaks etc.
Thanks to the members who have offered positive info.
Regarding the Eagle, we have only once run the fridge while it was connected to the car. It is a fire hazard to start with as the front bed covers the top vent & I have covers over the exterior vents to prevent dust entry. I used the 90L fridge as an esky & it proved to be a good one too! I never stated I ran the fridge off the internal battery. It never ran at all but kept very cold over a day's travel which in most cases was approx 400-700Kms just by having a few frozen water bottles in it & not opening until we got to our destination.
As a former telecommunications technician, I do know a bit about batteries & how to treat them. A 3way fridge is not kind to batteries without some significant charge going in. Regarding my Trail Blazer, I bought it after Expo in Brisbane & had the power pack replaced about 6 years ago. It is definitely not as good as the old pack was as the current draw is heavier (may be due to the more modern refrigerant).
Cheers, Warren
PS - The schematic? Jayco here in Townsville cannot get one!
__________________
Warren
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If you don't get it done today, there's always tomorrow!
Warren, I reckon that the way you've been doing it up till now will keep the 3 way cooler than running it solely off 12V while you're travelling mate. Ours is a much better esky than a 12V fridge! Its excellent on gas & pretty good on 240V, but not near as good on 12V.
I like to ramp it up while we're stopped & its running on gas, just shy of freezing the lettuce lol! The cooler contents help keep it cool while we're travelling the next day. The 12V doesn't have to do it on its own.
I've run a 3 way Waeco in the back of the Ute off the alternator & it was no better.
We take a compressor fridge with us in the car these days, even towing the van.
Thinking about changing the 3 way in the van for a small inverter bar fridge & run it off a battery under the bed.
Our Eagle camper had a 3-way 90L Dometic fridge in it. I would cool it down on power the afternoon before we left. My wife added three frozen water bottles in a couple of shelves & that would keep the fridge cold (the freezer still frozen) after a 700Km drive eg to Rockhampton, Emerald. Milk never went off.
We have just bought a Jayco Discovery Outback & friends have suggested that we run the fridge as we drive. The fridge is a larger 150L model. My second battery in the Patrol charged by a Cetek 20A DC-DC charger. This battery feeds power to my 60L Trailblazer fridge & the CB, as well as going to the Anderson plug where the new van's fridge will plug in.
How much power does a larger 3-way fridge draw on DC? I've heard that it is quite high. I'm prepared to leave the Trailblazer home but I'm afraid I don't entirely trust 3-way fridges in the heat. We're heading back to Victoria/ACT/NSW & back home again again soon & there is often some hot weather somewhere. At some stage, I'll modify the fridge by adding fans top & bottom (as I did in the Eagle).
So my question is will it work? Or will the second battery run out of puff? What do other people do?
Another question - where does one get a schematic drawing of a Jayco van these days? The camper had one in the hand book.
Warren
PS - some "magical" things happen in wiring forms in the A frame!!
Getting back to one of your orignal question how much power do they use on 12 volt, by memory 17.2 amps, our frig had a plate just inside the door with all the information on it, we really enjoyed our 150 litre, we power up a couple of days before leaving then running 12 volt between stops, gas while stopped, very impressed no soft ice cream, all good.
Now have a 185 litre, with this size frig what concerns both of us is we will never store that much food into this bigger frig and as they do work better when loaded, but thats the way it come, no choice. we may fill it up with water bottles or while cask.
We have a three way in this van. run on mains/battery,
and gas when out in bush.
Only as a fridge.
80ltr Waeco in Ute rear runs off the two batt's in tray ,
charged by Alt when running. 40a Charger when on mains or genny.
with 80w panel on ute plus 200w panel on roof of van through anderson
when during daytime
The Danfoss compressor fridges are that much better
in efficiency and running. than 3 way.
This raises a question for me as well perhaps for PeterD. The element in our fridge has gone bung and sitting at .01 ohms. Now thats a lot of amps, so 12V has been disconnected.
Question, if I run the inverter output to the fridge (which draws about 1 to 2 amps on AC) am I breaking any rules? I can see nothing but a practical solution with travel during the day, the solar topping up the batts etc.
What are your thoughts PeterD?
__________________
Ex RAAF, now retired. EX Electrician/Teacher.
Homebase is Murray Bridge Tourist Park (in a cabin). New Horse.. 2020 Ford Everest Titanium, Jayco swan for touring.
Thanks to the members who have offered positive info.
Regarding the Eagle, we have only once run the fridge while it was connected to the car. It is a fire hazard to start with as the front bed covers the top vent & I have covers over the exterior vents to prevent dust entry. I used the 90L fridge as an esky & it proved to be a good one too! I never stated I ran the fridge off the internal battery. It never ran at all but kept very cold over a day's travel which in most cases was approx 400-700Kms just by having a few frozen water bottles in it & not opening until we got to our destination.
As a former telecommunications technician, I do know a bit about batteries & how to treat them. A 3way fridge is not kind to batteries without some significant charge going in. Regarding my Trail Blazer, I bought it after Expo in Brisbane & had the power pack replaced about 6 years ago. It is definitely not as good as the old pack was as the current draw is heavier (may be due to the more modern refrigerant).
Cheers, Warren
PS - The schematic? Jayco here in Townsville cannot get one!
RE "The Schematic"
As an ex Tech you have the skills to trace out the wiring & draw up one for yourself, just like I did for my Westport.
This will be a lot quicker than trying to get one from Jayco & it will give you a good understanding of how it all works.
As for operating the fridge I cool it down for up to a week before starting on a trip, alternating between 240v & Gas. just to make sure that both are working.
I use several frozen water bottles & load it up a day or so before leaving. I refreeze them in CP camp kitchens.
When on the road I hold the temp with 12v from the tug. changing to gas when stopping for anything more than a few minutes.
I would rather not run my inverter when we are traveling BUT a 2 liter container or 2 frozen in the fridge cabinet would do the trick to keep it cool when on the road. Then when we set up back on gas or 240V.
Thanks mate, great idea.
__________________
Ex RAAF, now retired. EX Electrician/Teacher.
Homebase is Murray Bridge Tourist Park (in a cabin). New Horse.. 2020 Ford Everest Titanium, Jayco swan for touring.
Again thanks to all of the replies. We will be trying out the van in a couple of weekend's time as I have a VIP farewell to attend in Cairns.
For the members who wished to obtain a schematic diagram of their van's wiring, I'll attempt to scan one that our Jayco Eagle camper has soon. The drawing number is CAMPELECT-02 dated 11/09/02.
The plumbing diagram is CVANWATERSERV - dated 13/03/2003.
From what I can see, they cover many caravans.
My handbook is "Revised July 2004". I have kept a copy of the particular drawings for our Discovery.
Does Jayco have a link to ASIO?
Warren
__________________
Warren
----------------
If you don't get it done today, there's always tomorrow!
This raises a question for me as well perhaps for PeterD. The element in our fridge has gone bung and sitting at .01 ohms. Now thats a lot of amps, so 12V has been disconnected.
Question, if I run the inverter output to the fridge (which draws about 1 to 2 amps on AC) am I breaking any rules? I can see nothing but a practical solution with travel during the day, the solar topping up the batts etc.
What are your thoughts PeterD?
The 1 -2 amps you quote is for the output (240V) side of your inverter. This is for your fridge load. However, if you recalculate the power formula for 12V (The real supply) at 1-2 amps, this become 20 - 40A draw from the battery. You cant magic up energy unfortunately and so when using inverters on house batteries you should always multiply the current at 240V by a factor of 20. (240 /12 = 20)
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Landrover Discovery 4 towing a New Age Manta Ray MR19E
