Compressor fridge only works on 240v - is it wired wrong?

SpiderBaby · Newbie

Compressor fridge only works on 240v - is it wired wrong?

Whenarewethere · Guru

Have you tested with a multimeter?

Have you removed & replaced the fuse/s. One in the fridge cable & one in car?

Have you simply connected the fridge directly to the battery. Bypass everything to rule out issues with the fridge?

PeterInSa · Guru

Re (My guess is that it is not wired to the battery correctly but that seems a strange thing to do. )

If the 12v Battery is not connected to the frig connection point as shown 20 sec into the vid below, to me the frig will not work.

www.youtube.com/watch

Not knowing how the previous owner connected 240v to the frig (and the use of that 12v Relay?) it would be best to get an electrician to sort out the issue.

gerlin · Member

Hi
thats not a junction box its a relay (as per Guru)

If you cant do the testing yourself, then its a case of finding someone who can

If you could follow the cables and draw up a mud map of where they go the repost I am sure more help will be forthcoming

Gerry

SpiderBaby · Newbie

My experience with electrics is limited so if its not a fuse then it looks like I'll need an electrician as you suggest.

Was hoping to eliminate the possible simple causes before doing that - I've checked the fuses in the panel but could there be an inline fridge fuse for the 12v as well, and if so where is that likely to be?

TimTim · Senior Member

If you have checked with a multimeter and you are not getting any power then take a look close to your battery for a fuse as that is the most likely place it will be. Also what other components do you have in your van?

Cuppa · Guru

SpiderBaby wrote:
My experience with electrics is limited so if its not a fuse then it looks like I'll need an electrician as you suggest.

Was hoping to eliminate the possible simple causes before doing that - I've checked the fuses in the panel but could there be an inline fridge fuse for the 12v as well, and if so where is that likely to be?

1. Check the 12v plug is plugged into the fridge (As per Peter's linked video above)

2. If so unplug it & check for voltage at the plug with a multimeter.

3. If no voltage trace the wire from the plug until you find a fuse.

4. Check fuse is OK, for continuity with multimeter, or by substituting a known good fuse. (Could be an inline fuse as well as one on a distribution board). Check both if so.

5. If no fuse, there should be - manual says 15 amp.

6. Re-check for power at the 12v fridge plug once fuse checks ok.

7. If still no power at plug, check connection at battery is clean & tight. Take it off, don't just look at it.

8. If still no power at plug trace wire looking for damage.

9. If there is power at the plug & is not too low - should be at least 12.0v but preferably higher & the fridge still doesn't work then there is a problem with the fridge.

If you don't have a multimeter it is worth getting one & learning how to use it's basic functions. Not hard. Never leave home without it. But if you are averse to this & take the vehicle to an electrician, all I have described above wont take them long, so shouldn't be too expensive.

Another thing to try before lots of wire tracing, only because it is easy & accessible is The 'junction box' in your pic (is not a junction box it's a relay).

My guess given it's location & the extra fan , is that it has been used to switch the fan on when the fridge runs, if so, those wires will be power to the fridge & to the fan. It is possible if so that the relay has failed. You could check this by working out which wires go to the fridge & to the battery from the relay, & then just pull them off the relay & join them together temporarily to see if that fires up the fridge. If so you just need a new relay. Good luck.

SpiderBaby · Newbie

Cheers, I'll do some investigating as suggested.

Craig1 · Guru

Check " continuity " on 12v plug end.