Drawer Fridge Query

[yorksbob]

We have a 12V Dometic drawer fridge in the Bongo. It seems to work well until I connect to a 240V EHU on site and then it switches off. Is this normal? I presume the fridge works off the leisure battery, which itself is kept topped up on site via the EHU. But I don't understand why connecting the EHU would affect the working of the fridge.

Anybody have any suggestions?

Thanks

Bob

[g8dhe]

Is the fridge meant to be a 12/240 volt fridge? I'm wondering if when the 240volts is present they relay that disconnects the 12 volt side is operating but that the 240volt system is faulty, hence the loss of cooling ?
If its a 12 volt system only then it might be more complicated.
What make and model of fridge is it, most of the manuals are available on the web with a bit of digging ?

[yorksbob]

It's a WAECO CoolFun CD-30.

In the technical data section of the user manual it only mentions a connection voltage of 12V or 24V D.C. - no mention of 240V.

Thanks

[g8dhe]

Yup its 12v only so the next question is what setup do you have on the EHU side ?
Is its a Zig if so what version CF8 or CF9 or Marque1, or perhaps a PMS3 unit ?
Are there any switches you change when on EHU on the control unit?

[yorksbob]

It's a Zig CF9. We've been told when the EHU is connected to switch two switches down for the mains charger and switch two switches down for the 12V (left hand side of Zig as you look at it) , presumably to switch from car battery to leisure battery? Hope this helps, my automotive electrical knowledge is very limited.

Thanks

[g8dhe]

Argh another CF9 bodge, sorry they are beginning to irritate me! They should carry a warning not to be used in motorhomes, they are intended for Car and Caravan

When your using EHU every switch should be pressed in on the down position, so that the Charger unit is ON-SITE, the Mains is ON and the Lesiure Battery (Caravan) is SELECTED and ON.

Do you have a Split Charge Relay under the bonnet for charging? If not then you will have to operate the far right switch to Towing manually when your driving, BUT you must put it back to ON-SITE when you stop otherwise you will flatten the Starter battery.

If they didn't provide you with the manual then there is one here;
http://www.g8dhe.net/bongo_images/zig/Z ... al.org.pdf

[yorksbob]

I don't know if I have a split charge relay Geoff - can you give me some idea what it looks like and I will check?

I definitely am using the Zig with the all four switches down when using EHU. Is any of this pointing to why the fridge stops working when on EHU?

Cheers

Bob

[tanglefoot]

Hi Bob...I have a CF9 and am on site right now (on EHU) with all 4 switches down and fridge is running fine....Also works ok when driving, with last switch up for towing and charging both batteries. Fridge is Vitrifrigo 12v.

[yorksbob]

I think there must be a wiring problem with my set-up then as with all fours switches down and on mains hook-up, the fridge isn't working.

Thanks

Bob

[tanglefoot]

Not really sure but are all the fuses ok?

[yorksbob]

Do you mean all the fuses in the Zig or all the fuses in the van?

[tanglefoot]

In the Zig mate.....also do all your internal lights come on when on hook up? I am only learning myself, but I would check all the fuses in the Zig are ok first....cos I reckon if the fridge works ok on battery but not hook up then it must be a fault with the power being tranfered through the Zig?

[yorksbob]

I checked the fridge fuse in the Zig and it was intact. I didn't check any of the others though. I'll check the rest now.

Thanks for the advice.

Bob

[yorksbob]

Ok. All the fuses in the Zig are fine. The internal lights worked this week when we were hooked up on site. One thing though, whilst in the van checking the fuses jus now, I switched on the internal lights and they were ok until I switched on the "charger" switch on the far right of the unit and the three internal lights went out - but bear in mind the EHU isn't connected at the moment so that might account for the lights going out (???) I don't know if yours would do the same with the EHU disconnected.

[g8dhe]

If you have a Split Charge Relay, then there will be a hefty cable with an in-line fuse running from each battery +ve terminal to a module mounted normally under the bonnet (but not always sometimes else where!) the module is the relay.