Jayco Fridge

Stolzy.
What voltage (dc) do you have at the fridge when connected to the car with the engine running?Wim

I take it the fridge uses 12volts when driving....get an auto electrician to make sure the wiring is up to scratch to and for satisfacory operation.Richard

Hi Stolzy.
Make sure that the wiring from your battery to the caravan is heavy enough to carry the heavy current load that the fridge requires. When we owned a Jacyo we added a fan to the back of the fridge to improve the performance and also when stopped for lunch would run the fridge on gas for the hour we were stopped, the same if we stopped and went exploring.
Ray
No using 12 volt fridge instead of three waywanderin' in retirement. victor 2010

Stolzy you need a minimum of 10mm2 wire from your battery to your fridge. The connection between your vehicle and caravan needs to be made with a 50 amp Anderson plug. We normally use twin sheathed 6mm2 cable to do the job as it is easier to fit and more flexible. A 30 amp blade type fuse should be fitted from the positive on the battery to the lead. You need to run the earth wire as well to the negative terminal of the battery. You need to fit a Bosch type 30 amp relay to the ignition circuit so the fridge is only powered while the engine is running. A manual overide switch if you are stopping for lunch for an hour or going shopping at the supermarket is not a bad idea. A low voltage cutout is only $20 and a worthwhile fitment so if you do forget to turn it off or get delayed while shopping you will not flatten your vehicle battery. Absorbtion fridges depending on model take between 10 and 15 amps.

Hi Stolzy,
I have run a complete seperate cable to run my three way fridge which is independant of any other wiring but don't forget to install a relay so that you do not draw current when your engine is turned off

Stolzy
It is a very common problem with a 3-way.
Basically agree with pretty much all of the above
Check the voltage AT the frig (should be above 12) AND the amperage drawn. (most good multimeters have a 10Amp setting. It should draw a minimum of 10 amps- you only need to check this for a second or two. A half decent multimeter will only cost you about $30 from DickSmiths and is really essential)

If wiring and voltage are good, but amps are low, then maybe you have a dud element.
I had a new Dometic frig last year and was so unhappy with it I sold it in the trading post and went to a Danfoss powered 12v frig which is beeuuttiiffuull. (draws a maximum of 3.5 amps for typically only 30-50% duty cycle- depending on temp)
Good luck.

Yep to all of the above, but keep in mind the 12 volt will never get to the gas / 240 performance. I see it more as maintenance mode, in between gas and/or 240 runs (gas when camped - 240 at home is pick - 12 only while mobile). Have just put in a 12 volt fan into the rear section - will try it in the car soon).Love the bush - stuck in the city - help.

Stolzy all the above applies but also for the fridge to work well on ANY power supply it must be ABSOLUTELY DEAD LEVEL in a moving vehicle this is almost never the case while travelling,
Result it can never operate at maximun cooling while travelling regardless of power supply.

they can work their optimun when level and stationary only regardless of power supply.

Have to agree with all the above especially wiring size as does not take much to voltage drop on 12 volt with the travel to the towing vehicle, would have thought that with the refrigitant slossing around with towing it should be just as efficient any thoughts on this???
Tom the pom

They must be very level when stationary.
When moving it doesn't matter as the continual movement keeps the refridgerant moving also. Must have GOOD 12VOLT supply- separate leads.
However, Dometic are CRAP in my opinion. Hav had 3 over the years and never again! They promise the world but don't deliver.
Now have 12VOLT compressor friges X2 (1 upright, 1 chest) both danfoss comp- they're the ducks guts- you can have 3 way 'cos I won't ever hav another.
See Ya

martin your reply is unnecessarily severe search the archives and other recent replys many others agree the fridge must be level to work efficiently,guess you must have had a hard day.happy travelling.