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Jayco Penguin

Submitted: Wednesday, Nov 04, 2009 at 09:30

JaycoJohnT

Hi All,

Just purchased a Jayco Penguin 2003. I have been told that this is the only Jayco model that you can't travel top down with the fridge on.

Can someone please verify or advise if we can get around this situation.


Regards,
John
ThreadID: 73515 Replies: 7
Views: 439 FollowUps: 3
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AnswerID: 389931   Submitted: Wednesday, Nov 04, 2009 at 09:44

Michael ( Moss Vale NSW) replied:

I used to own a Dove, I covered the vent on the benchtop when driving and fitted a 12 volt element and it was fine. I had a switch on the drawbar and when i stopped for short breaks, i would turn the switch and isolate as to not flatten the battery (had a car at the time) and because no air circulation when not moving.. No you cant use with gas When moving...... Michael
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Reply 1 of 7
FollowupID: 657674   Submitted: Wednesday, Nov 04, 2009 at 09:45

Michael ( Moss Vale NSW) posted:

It was along time ago but from memory, it draws about 7 amps running on 12volts. Michael
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FollowUp 1 of 1
AnswerID: 389932   Submitted: Wednesday, Nov 04, 2009 at 09:46

MDV505 replied:

If it is the same as the Flamingo, then you can't run the fridge on gas when the top is down as it generartes too much heat with a fire risk. I understand it is OK on 12V, but the fridge must already be cold as the 12V system is only designed to maintain the temperature.

Be carefull if stopped for a long time and the fridge on 12V as it will run down your car battery.

Michael



Reply 2 of 7
AnswerID: 389955   Submitted: Wednesday, Nov 04, 2009 at 12:45

Karen & Geoff replied:

Hi John, dont know if you know but Jayco have a forum on their website too, and you can get some very useful tips and info on there. Might be helpful if you cant get info on here. Someone on there would have to ahve the same model as yours, or maybe a jayco dealer might have an answet too.
Good luck with it.
Karen

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Reply 3 of 7
AnswerID: 389963   Submitted: Wednesday, Nov 04, 2009 at 13:31

skeety replied:

Hey John. Just come back from trip with 2005 Jayco Dove.Used fridge on 12volt no wurries but made sure fridge was cold on 240volt before departing.
Suggest you get relay fitted to ignition to shut off 12volt when stopping that way you don't have remember to turn off swich or disconnect lead. Cheers
Reply 4 of 7
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AnswerID: 389966   Submitted: Wednesday, Nov 04, 2009 at 14:06

Grinner replied:

I believe the issue is that the Penguin does not have the pull-out beds. With the other Jayco models the base of the bed sits over the inside fridge vent. With the Penguin I suppose that the canvas will sit on top of the fridge vent. I wonder if you could make a plywood lid to sit on the Penguin fridge, rasied up to allow some ventilation?

Jason
Reply 5 of 7
FollowupID: 657703   Submitted: Wednesday, Nov 04, 2009 at 14:48

Member - Terry W (ACT) posted:

The Penguin already has a raised timber cover over the top vent.

You can run the Penguin fridge on 12 volts all day as long as the tow vehicle is running, but it will flatten the start battery in around 30 to 40 minutes if you leave it connected with the engine off. How do I know? We did it during a lunch stop on the Hay Plains, and immediately afterwards had the tow vehicle wiring modified so that power to the fridge wire switched off automatically when the ingnition was off. (Fortunately we had an Outback Penguin and were able to remove the on board battery to jump start the tow vehicle or we would have been in strife).

You must not use the fridge on gas when closed up.

FollowUp 1 of 1
AnswerID: 389973   Submitted: Wednesday, Nov 04, 2009 at 14:43

Rangiephil replied:

Surely nobody uses gas when moving in any type of van.

That is what 12Volt is for.

Isn't it illegal ?

If you are using 12v , as long as there is some type of venting space above it would be OK.
Regards Philip A
Reply 6 of 7
FollowupID: 657751   Submitted: Wednesday, Nov 04, 2009 at 18:16

disco driver posted:

Hi Phil,
If you read some of the earlier posts on this subject, it would appear that there are a fair few people who leave the the fridge running on gas while travelling.

One even asked to be shown where it said it was illegal.
He also admitted that the instruction book for his fridge said "Do not run fridge on gas while travelling". Still did it!!!

Common sense would say that it's not a good idea, even in a "normal " caravan.

12 volt will maintain the fridge at a safe temp while travelling, but as others have said Disconnect while the motor is not running.

Disco.
FollowUp 1 of 1
AnswerID: 390008   Submitted: Wednesday, Nov 04, 2009 at 19:11

JaycoJohnT replied:

Thanks for all your feedback guys.

It was incredibly helpful.

All the best.



John
Reply 7 of 7

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