A fridge running on 12 volt can this overheat with roof down while travelling?

The Twelve Volt fridge is a three way I assume and will be vented to the outside so wouldn't be a problem.

If it is a twelve volt compressor type then I travel with mine closed down under a hard cover on the twin cab ute and it is no problem.

The fridge is vented to the outside and is fine to run on 12v while travelling.

I assume you have a dual battery system? If not, you will need a battery isolator if running off the car battery, to automatically disconnect when you stop because those fridges draw a lot of power and will flatten a battery super quick.

Also, because they draw a lot of power, the wiring needs to be up to the job!

One way to keep the fridge chilled is to use those blue freezer blocks when travelling. We find if the fridge is cold overnight, it doesn't loose too much cold during the day as long as you dont open it.

The problem we keep having is while running it on gas it gets too cold and freezes the vege's.

Although the fridge is vented to the outside it is also vented at the top which when the roof is down rests on top of the fridge vent. Too risky for me. Your experience with the lights is not an uncommon mistake by Swan owners usually resulting in considerable and sometimes terminal damage. If you run your fridge on 240 AC for a couple of days before leaving and then pack the freezer section with already frozen items and the fridge section with already chilled items, then the fridge can remain off and closed for 4-5 hrs in moderate conditions whilst travelling. A bit of experimenting by you will confirm how efficient the insulation on your fridge is. Should act just like a big esky.

dembury
When I move on to another site my fridge is OFF , all day , OFF and if I happen to drive until 7pm or later I hook up the power, turn on the lights and fetch frozen meat from the freezer section and nice icy cold milk , I ask you why do you need to run the fridge on 12 volt , things will stay ok all day ,

Doug

I used to own a Finch and initially had the same reservations as you, however, I eventually gathered the courage to give it a go. Nothing untoward happened and I eventually felt confident enough to run it whenever we were travelling. Mind you, it barely helps in hot weather and you do need to remember to disconnect when stationary for any length of time so you don't flatten the battery. I have not of campers coming to grief due to the fridge running on 12 volt, however, I too have heard a number of reports of fire caused by leaving the internal lights on. In later models there should be a reed switch under the lip of the roof near the door which is supposed to automatically isolate the lights when the roof is down.

Cheers
Gerry

Hi , I have a Jayco eagle , and I always run it on 12v when driving ,
the one thing they told me was to put some thiing between the sink and the plastic windows when it is down,( i have a 2ltr plastic milk bottle cut off and put a teatowel on the top where it comes in contact with the window plastic, and make sure the curtains are back as well), my fridge it under the sink drain board which gets warm but not uncomfortable,
another thing is make sure the lights are off , there is a switch which cuts the power when the top is down , but have heard of malfunctions , the dome lights will scorch the canvas.
I put my spacer in when running the fridge on 240 before we leave.
Cheers Des.

The Jayco owners manual for the Flamingo specificaly states that it is OK to travel with 12volt power on because the bed base protects the side walls . There should be some reference in the Swan manual .

You won't have any problems runnig the fridge as you drive along. The biggest risk is for your Swan of this age is from the lights - BOTH the 12 and 240volt. Plenty of camper owners have learnt the hard way!

Undo the shade from the light fittings and have a look and see if you have the smaller 12volt lights fitted. If you do, its worthwhile making sure these are off after you hook up the van by sticking your head back inside the van door with the car hooked up and running. OR you can simply remove the small bulb and refit it when you know you want to use it.

With regard to the automatic cut off switch for the roof - have a look up on the inside of the roof frame about half way along on the road/drivers side just outside the sink. That is the place Jayco fit them. They always seem to give problems by not consistently working. They work on the same principle as the switch on your car door. Unless you fit one yourself or refurbish this one don't trust it. I found it easier to remove the small bulbs for the 12volt for now as I do not use them. I am planning on fitting a small lamp near the front lights so if its on I will see it from the car mirror and I know that the lights are on in the van. CHEERS