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dometic fridge 12v failure

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dometic fridge 12v failure

in Anything Eriba-related Fri Aug 26, 2016 5:29 pm
by philipdick (deleted)

My Troll 540 Dometic fridge will not work on 12v when being towed and no light comes on the red switch. We have checked the car towbar electrics and they are fine. I have checked the five 15 amp fuses and they are fine. The fridge works perfectly from the electric hook up. Any ideas would be welcome.

RE: dometic fridge 12v failure

in Anything Eriba-related Fri Aug 26, 2016 6:21 pm
by Aaron Calder •

| 3.834 Posts

I don't know how old your Troll is but if it has a BIP unit, it will have a fridge relay fitted. Perhaps that is the problem?

P1000955.jpg - Bild entfernt (keine Rechte) P1010013.jpg - Bild entfernt (keine Rechte)

The fridge relay is the blue component to the right of the two switches in the picture. So far as I'm aware (I'm no expert), the relay operates when it detects a certain current from the car alternator allowing a 12v supply to the fridge element. If I'm wrong, someone will correct me.

You could check that all the connections to the relay are tight as they may have slackened due to vibration - but there must be a way to check that it is operating correctly.

Can anyone help with this?

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2003 Triton 420 and Audi A4 2.0Tfsi S-line SE Cabriolet

Last edited Sat Aug 05, 2017 10:04 pm | Scroll up

RE: dometic fridge 12v failure

in Anything Eriba-related Fri Aug 26, 2016 6:34 pm
by philipdick (deleted)

BIP unit? Where would that be sited? My Eriba is a 2011 Troll 540.

RE: dometic fridge 12v failure

in Anything Eriba-related Fri Aug 26, 2016 6:43 pm
by Aaron Calder •

| 3.834 Posts

In that case, things may well be different. The BIP is simply the name that Scheiber gave to their connection and fuse box �Boîtier d�interconnexions et de protections� and whatever is fitted in your van will be close to the EHU point, usually under one of the main seats. You have already been there if you have checked all the 12V fuses.

I'm hoping that someone with a van of a similar age to yours will be able to help out here.

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2003 Triton 420 and Audi A4 2.0Tfsi S-line SE Cabriolet

Last edited Sat Aug 05, 2017 10:04 pm | Scroll up

RE: dometic fridge 12v failure

in Anything Eriba-related Fri Aug 26, 2016 10:06 pm
by kevandnia (deleted)

We may have the same issue in our 2010 Troll 540. I'm assuming that as its controlled by a relay that the red light on the switch won't come on when immediately connected to car electrics but should it come on when the engine is then revved? Or does the relay take a while to kick in? Because the fridge was cold when we started towing and still reasonably cold when we arrive, because we've only done shortish 1.5 hour trips, I'm not sure if it's residual coldness or if the fridge has actually worked. The key is when does the relay switch over, I suppose.

RE: dometic fridge 12v failure

in Anything Eriba-related Fri Aug 26, 2016 11:16 pm
by Pepé Le Pew •

| 2.752 Posts

Quote: kevandnia wrote in post #5
We may have the same issue in our 2010 Troll 540. I'm assuming that as its controlled by a relay that the red light on the switch won't come on when immediately connected to car electrics but should it come on when the engine is then revved? Or does the relay take a while to kick in?

The switching relay is voltage-sensitive; i.e. it won't switch until the car's alternator is producing a sufficiently high voltage, something it may not do at idle.

.

yy-R56kh

RE: dometic fridge 12v failure

in Anything Eriba-related Fri Aug 26, 2016 11:54 pm
by Aaron Calder •

| 3.834 Posts

Pete's right; it should come on when you blip the throttle - although I think mine does work at idle.

It all depends on your idle speed, alternator output, resistances in cables and connections I suppose but give it some welly and see if it operates.

You may also hear a click as the relay operates. They usually do but I can't say that I've noticed with mine as it has always worked correctly.

Let us know how you get on.

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2003 Triton 420 and Audi A4 2.0Tfsi S-line SE Cabriolet

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RE: dometic fridge 12v failure

in Anything Eriba-related Sat Aug 27, 2016 9:07 am
by Poptop320 •

| 2.634 Posts

I don't know the age of your van, however some of the 2012 Eribas had an electrical problem. They were wired up incorrectly in the factory, they wouldn't charge up the leisure battery or work the fridge when connected to the car. It was an issue that was captured on another forum, my previous 2012 Familia 320 also had this problem and it was corrected under warranty...

When I go on holiday I like to pop my top!

Last edited Sat Aug 27, 2016 9:08 am | Scroll up

RE: dometic fridge 12v failure

in Anything Eriba-related Sat Aug 27, 2016 4:40 pm
by Deeps (deleted)

Quote: kevandnia wrote in post #5
I'm not sure if it's residual coldness or if the fridge has actually worked. The key is when does the relay switch over, I suppose.

I'm not expert either but one way of checking if the fridge is working is by placing your hand on the external grill which should feel quite warm.

#10

RE: dometic fridge 12v failure

in Anything Eriba-related Sat Aug 27, 2016 9:10 pm
by kevandnia (deleted)

Brilliant! Why didn't I think of that. Thanks.

Kevin

#11

RE: dometic fridge 12v failure

in Anything Eriba-related Sun Aug 28, 2016 6:34 pm
by Aaron Calder •

| 3.834 Posts

If the red light doesn't come on then it isn't working on 12V. If the red light does come on however, it doesn't necessarily mean that the heater element is working.

I've just realised that I've only ever checked my system on starting from cold at which point the engine will be running at a fast idle. When the engine is warm, the idle speed drops so perhaps my relay does cut out at idle?

I must remember to check this next time I hook up and report back.

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2003 Triton 420 and Audi A4 2.0Tfsi S-line SE Cabriolet

Last edited Sat Aug 05, 2017 10:05 pm | Scroll up

#12

RE: dometic fridge 12v failure

in Anything Eriba-related Sun Aug 28, 2016 8:09 pm
by kevandnia (deleted)

Next time I'm hooked up to the car I'll get Nia to rev the engine for a while just to see if the relay switches eventually. Last time we tried it she only blipped the throttle for a few seconds. I'm hoping that after a minute or so it will kick in.

I'll check the AL warranty as well as it's coming up to 3 months since we purchased the Troll. I might just email them to raise the issue.

#13

RE: dometic fridge 12v failure

in Anything Eriba-related Sun Aug 28, 2016 10:09 pm
by Julie Grafo •

| 3.563 Posts

Now I don't know if I've just learnt something or I'm very confused.
On our PuckL 225GT the green light didn't light up, I didn't know the green light could light until we got the Triton 420GT. Other PuckL owners confirmed that the green light didn't light up in their vans either. So as the fridge did get cold I assumed it was working ok.
So now we have a Triton with a glowing green light (isn't that annoying at night?) I am now worrying that the red light should light up. Do they all light up? Is mine defective?
We always hook up at home and cool the fridge down so I don't know if it's working off the car or not. The dealer assured me that we had the tow bar connection with the extra cable for the fridge.
Can life get anymore complicated?