We were on just our third trip in our new van, and were in a powered site. We habitually kept checking that the fridge was working, which it was....but, two or three times everyday it would change between 240v and gas? Is this normal? I'd wake in the middle of the night for secret men's business, and while up I'd check the fridge only to find it had changed to gas. I'd tell the missus in the morning, and wgen she checked it was back on 240v?
3-way fridge
- Thread starter Tuppy
- Start date
You don't say what model fridge but definitely not normal for a fridge to change as you described. Maybe check the 240 v plug and make sure it's secure.
If the park wasn't having blackouts then I would check your power points and 240 connection, the gas will fire up in a couple of seconds of power drop off, try changing the socket for the fridge power as the switch itself could be dodgy, the rocker on/off switch on the power point do break and it could be that shorting out.
There were no power outages at the park. It's a Thetford 190 litre (or thereabouts). I'll get them to check the wiring, cos on the last morning we heard a beep beep, and the power seemed to temporarily cut from the exhaust fan above the stove cos the clock went back to zero and recommenced.
the power at the park may not have gone off completely, but a surge or a spike would be enough for the fridge to do that
one of my mates (HV Electrician) had a machine that you hooked up to the Park power (a load meter)
the complete inconsistency of the power supply was amazing, up and down like a yoyo
he made me give it back, eventually, but a great toy to play with
one of my mates (HV Electrician) had a machine that you hooked up to the Park power (a load meter)
the complete inconsistency of the power supply was amazing, up and down like a yoyo
he made me give it back, eventually, but a great toy to play with
Caravan parks are renowned for spikes and surges. We were in a caravan park with the aircon on overnight and we must have had a power surge at 3am which blew the fuse. We didn't realise it was just a fuse as hubby checked the fuses and all looked good. So when we got home we got an an electrician to have a look at it and apparently it was the fuse inside the aircon that had blown. An expensive fuse, cost us $100!
Hi,
I wouldn't be surprised by the quality of the power supplies at various caravan parks..
I suspect that Jayco / Setec must have had a lot of trouble with spikes on the mains.
Currently, if you look at the current Jayco models, well at least the Camper Trailers. The Setec unit is plugged into the mains via a spike suppressor. It has been there on all the models we looked at prior to purchasing last year in November.
cheers
Mike
I wouldn't be surprised by the quality of the power supplies at various caravan parks..
I suspect that Jayco / Setec must have had a lot of trouble with spikes on the mains.
Currently, if you look at the current Jayco models, well at least the Camper Trailers. The Setec unit is plugged into the mains via a spike suppressor. It has been there on all the models we looked at prior to purchasing last year in November.
cheers
Mike
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Thanks Mike I must go out and check that tomoro. We have a 2016 20.64 Jayco Expanda so if that is the case then we should have a spike suppressor installed. Wonder if we do actually have one though as that should have suppressed the spike. Our thoughts were to purchase a surge protector before heading off at the end of next month after the aircon episode.
Thanks for the advice.
Pauline
Thanks for the advice.
Pauline
I had one of these.......... 15A surge protector when I had the Flamingo, neat, petite and sweet
unfortunately, I think I left it in it when we sold it, as I cannot find anywhere
cannot even remember where I got it (about 10yrs ago)
unfortunately, I think I left it in it when we sold it, as I cannot find anywhere
cannot even remember where I got it (about 10yrs ago)
That would be a fantastic option. OK @bigcol thinking cap on, need to remember, cause I want one now
Out of interest, I was crawling around behind the Setec charger the other day, and noticed that Jayco have a plug in surge protector that the 240v plug for the setec plugs into, so its protected.
I'd much rather see it on the entire incoming supply.
After a bit of research I have been advised to use an ampfibian. They have an overload protector built in, 10A power plug to 15A load socket cost $149
http://ampfibian.com.au/store/
http://ampfibian.com.au/store/
You would only want to use the amphibian to connect your van to a normal 10A power point for when you want to connect the van up at home.
You wouldn't want to use one of these for normal use in a van park, as they are designed to reduce the current down to 10A instead of supplying the full 15A you need.
I have one for plugging in at home.
They don't have surge protection either.
Hi @Pauline,
the Ampfibian would be ok as long as you are sure you won't be drawing more than 2,400w in your van. Since you have an air conditioner you probably won't be able to run much else otherwise you will trip the ampfibian.
Jugs, hot water system, toaster, hairdryer, electric hotplate are all power hungry.
Normally, you would have 15A, which gives you 3,600W before tripping the internal circuit breaker.
Is it possible yo get a 15A version of the ampfibian?
cheers
Mike
Hi @Bellbirdweb,
as per your previous post, it doesn't have surge or spike suppression.
So, it won't be a solution to the problem.
Jaycar sell something similar to what is supplied by Jayco to protect the Setec unit for $9.95 (or 7.95 if you have an ABN number and sign up).
https://www.jaycar.com.au/mains-surge-protector-double-outlet/p/MS4015
It might be worth putting one of them on each appliance in the van. They have two outlets.
cheers
Mike
Thanks Mike,
Yep I've got a Jaycar trade card, my 2nd home.
I could use the plug in ones, but I want to do it neatly and protect things like the aircon.
If the easy in line option isn't there then I'll put one in next to the RCD.
The Amphibian doesn't convert anything...................all it does is put a 10 amp circuit breaker between your caravan and the house 10 amp circuit, if you overload the circuit by running a HWS, Jug ,AC etc all at once instead of blowing a fuse or circuit breaker in the house the Amphibian will trip, it doesn't do anything else, its a waterproof expensive circuit breaker/fuse, you only need one if you turn too much on in van, use a bit of thought and they aren't needed...........like in your house you should have a surge protector on your fridge, TV, computer, washing machine etc in fact anything that has a circuit board this applies in your van as well, my old 2009 Tardis had one on the Setek so I assume most would have them you don't need to spend 100's of $$$ either, seperate units are better though.
I have seen people using Amphibian's in caravan parks, to protect their vans, get narky when you point out the problem but whinge about the park power when it trips as they power up the AC, what happens when you listen to sales reps.
I have seen people using Amphibian's in caravan parks, to protect their vans, get narky when you point out the problem but whinge about the park power when it trips as they power up the AC, what happens when you listen to sales reps.
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Thanks for all your comments. From my understanding from your comments is that the Ampfibian is only for use at home in case too many appliances are used at once. Wondering though if it's worthwhile if you are free camping and using the generator, would it provide any protection for the AC if only the AC is on at the time and the fridge on gas so no other appliances could cause too much power to be drawn. Would that give any protection from any spikes with the gen?
No added value at all really.
The caravan has an inbuilt circuit breaker and safety switch, and most good generators also have circuit breakers.
Some people recommend Residual Voltage Detectors, especially if using unearthed supplies such as generators, although I've never actually seen one installed.
https://www.rvdsafe.com.au/vehicle-rv/