3-Way Fridge Help - runs only when truck is on

[rockandroll]

My Dometic 3 way fridge only operates when the truck is running. When it's running everything seems to be working great! But, I can't so much as get an indicator light on when the truck is off--strangest thing. Even with the camper plugged into 120AC, no luck. I've even plugged the fridge in directly to an outlet and can't get it working.

Any ideas on what can cause this?

 

[Scoutman]

do you have a battery in the camper or do you just run off the truck battery? I'm pretty sure that the fridge has to have a 12v dc power source to run the control panel and then the 110v AC is only for the heating element. I downloaded the manual for my fridge so you should be able to get it off their site if you need it.

 

[rockandroll]

do you have a battery in the camper or do you just run off the truck battery? I'm pretty sure that the fridge has to have a 12v dc power source to run the control panel and then the 110v AC is only for the heating element. I downloaded the manual for my fridge so you should be able to get it off their site if you need it.

I do have a battery in the camper. The connection between the camper battery and the fridge control panel has to be the issue. But, I just can't fathom what the issue could be when the fridge runs fine with the truck on! Both the 12v feed from the truck and the camper battery are run through the same converter/fuse box.

 

[offroadcamperguy]

Refrigerator fix, hopefully

Hi, Rob at Coyote RV here. We don't actually "fix" the appliances here, we have a mobile service take care of our local customers and any big dealer for out of state folks...

But, I have a pretty good idea about what might be going on here. The person with the previous post is correct, most of these refrigerators won't work on any mode if they loose 12v power. So, since you have a batter in the camper, the whole system between your truck and camper must be set up for the truck to send 12v CHARGE power to the camper when the truck's ignition switch is in the "run" position, or while the truck is running, then in order to ISOLATE the camper from the truck' power system while camping, the curcuit from the truck to camper is cut or turned off whenever the ignition key is turned off.

So, it sounds like your refrigerator is somehow connected to the truck's in-coming ISOLATED 12v battery charging curcuit only.... and NOT connected to the main power curcuit coming to the camper from it's own built in camper battery.

I would locate the 12v+ wire that is connected at the refrigerator, then trace it into the camper and follow it to see where it finally meets up to power. If this wire is indeed getting it's power from the truck's isolated charging power, then I would disconnect it and tap it into a main 12v+ wire coming from the camper's own battery. Then you will have power all the time!

IMPORTANT: And you probably know this, but these refrigerators us A LOT of amps while running on the 12v mode, so use it on 12v ONLY while actually driving. Sometimes folks find that they are not really getting any battery charge at all while the refrigerator is running on 12v, so they choose not to use the 12v mode at all.... just some thoughts.

Hope this is helpful. have fun out there!

 

[rockandroll]

Hi, Rob at Coyote RV here. We don't actually "fix" the appliances here, we have a mobile service take care of our local customers and any big dealer for out of state folks...

But, I have a pretty good idea about what might be going on here. The person with the previous post is correct, most of these refrigerators won't work on any mode if they loose 12v power. So, since you have a batter in the camper, the whole system between your truck and camper must be set up for the truck to send 12v CHARGE power to the camper when the truck's ignition switch is in the "run" position, or while the truck is running, then in order to ISOLATE the camper from the truck' power system while camping, the curcuit from the truck to camper is cut or turned off whenever the ignition key is turned off.

So, it sounds like your refrigerator is somehow connected to the truck's in-coming ISOLATED 12v battery charging curcuit only.... and NOT connected to the main power curcuit coming to the camper from it's own built in camper battery.

I would locate the 12v+ wire that is connected at the refrigerator, then trace it into the camper and follow it to see where it finally meets up to power. If this wire is indeed getting it's power from the truck's isolated charging power, then I would disconnect it and tap it into a main 12v+ wire coming from the camper's own battery. Then you will have power all the time!

IMPORTANT: And you probably know this, but these refrigerators us A LOT of amps while running on the 12v mode, so use it on 12v ONLY while actually driving. Sometimes folks find that they are not really getting any battery charge at all while the refrigerator is running on 12v, so they choose not to use the 12v mode at all.... just some thoughts.

Hope this is helpful. have fun out there!

This is very helpful. Thank you. I'm attempting to fix the issue today.