Thread: Fridges in Vans

I looked at a similar problem I was told that when driving the pilot light gets blown out with the vents for the fridge

If you charge your batteries when driving your car and also run a fridge in the car at the same time why cannot you do it for your van. I will be.

The main reason I understand you cannot run your your fridge on gas when driving is because the breeze (gale at 100kph) will blow your pilot light out and turn off your fridge - remembering no pilot light means gas switches off.

Garry

it must not be a big problem,,

I've read about lots of people that do it,, if windage was that big a drama I'd understand.

so what happens to the gas when the pilot light blows out?

Originally Posted by Pedro_The_Swift

it must not be a big problem,,

I've read about lots of people that do it,, if windage was that big a drama I'd understand.

so what happens to the gas when the pilot light blows out?

There is a little thermo couple that switches the gas off when it cools. That is why when lighting the fridge you have to keep the gas button pushed for about 20 to 30 secs until the pilot light has heated the thermocouple up enough so the gas stays on by itself. If the pilot light goes off with the gas still on, gas continues to flow until the thermocouple cools - in reality is almost instantaneous.

Garry

The gas should shut off when the pilot goes out, but if it didnt that could be a problem

I am towing it to Brizzy on Saturday,,
I might test it out,,,

But But But,, All the Caravaners I've talked to online say they NEVER charge from the tow car. They say its impossible to charge batteries AND run a fridge---

I think a lot of caravanners don't know much about modern electrics and may be living in the past time of 30amp alternators.

If you run a large enough wire and earth to prevent voltage drop through an anderson plug you could do it, or run one of those 12v/12v chargers . How many caravans do you see with a couple of Gauge 4 wires connected by an Anderson plug. Very few IMHO.

My 130Watt headlights drag 260watts or 20 amps or so and the battery doesn't go flat at night.
Regards Philip A

I have a two door 3 way fridge in my van. On the move it runs on 12v I have a dedicated anderson plug for the fridge. I also have 2 80w solar panels these have no chance of keeping up with the fridge by themselves. There are 2 100amphr batteries on the van as well.

I have never had an issue with the fridge not being cold enough when travelling. I only use gas when we are parked. My fridge has an auto pilot light so the gas would restart if it went out anyway.