Refrigerator auto switch

[dlenloe]

I have the AS on auto for the fridge do it will automatically switch from shore power to propane once we unhook and are ready to move on. I notice that when we start out the auto light is on. After driving for several hours, I notice the auto light is not on even though the ON/OFF button is in the "on" position. Is this normal?

[HiJoeSilver]

Mine stays on unless I push it to select gas. Check your battery voltage when it goes out before plugging into shore power. Is it possible it's dropping below the voltage required for the fridge?

[dlenloe]

Oh had not thought of that. The battery reading is 13.6 while on shore power. I will check battery level once we disconnect. Thanks for that info.

[HiJoeSilver]

I would think the tow vehicle would keep the voltage up, but I'm not sure how the refrigerator is wired, how use/store switch might come into play, etc. but since it sounds like the problem is when it's on primarily battery for 12v that that's a route to explore. If it was the flame going out then the check light would come on, but not if 12v is the issue.

[Bobbo]

Originally Posted by HiJoeSilver

how use/store switch might come into play

Since you mention this, while towing, if the USE/STORE switch is in STORE mode, there will be no 12v to the refrig control board so it will not function. Be sure that the USE/STORE switch is in USE mode.

[OTRA15]

Ditto to these two points:

-- Use/Store switch must be on Use
-- Batteries must be good, and you have to wait one hour after disconnecting from shore power to read the battery voltage on the monitor panel.

For everyone's info, what year and model AS do you have, and what fridge? When you are off shore power, are all the 12-volt functions working correctly? [pump, lights, radio, water heater on LP, etc.]

On our 2014 FC20 Dometic fridge, if we are not on shore power, we always toggle on the gas switch on the fridge, as I don't trust the Auto switch to migrate from shore power to propane. Doing this intentionally each time also helps with one's awareness of all systems in the trailer IMO. FWIW.

Good luck,

Peter

[dlenloe]

Thank you Peter. Our AS FC23FB is a 2016. The fridge is a Dometic but not sure which model right now. I do not have my user manual handy.
But, I now have a sense that the 12v batteries may be my issue.
Being newbies, we had it plugged into shore power for about 3 months and apparently the water boiled out. Did not realize this would happen on shore power. So now, I guess I will have to buy new batteries??? Dealership did not warn us of that issue. Well, live and learn.
Thanks so much to everyone who has given me valuable info.

[OTRA15]

Yup that will happen with the basic charger supplied by AS. Most folks upgrade to 4-stage charger, and get new batteries. If your AS is still under warranty, you could take the batteries to an Interstate dealer (assuming this is the correct brand of battery) and have them tested. They may be toast or salvageable. You might want to read your AS owner's manual also, as some preventative maintenance can forestall problems like this.

Good general reading: http://www.batteriesnorthwest.com/ba...hool.cfm?TID=0

Lots of threads on battery failure issues.

Battery forum: http://www.airforums.com/forums/f449/

Threads:
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f382...ay-169288.html
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f449...ud-165144.html
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f382...or-170703.html
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f37/...es-170411.html
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f540...es-170571.html
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f516...on-169925.html
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f449...lp-169693.html
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f317...ge-170153.html
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f449...or-170148.html
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f449...ns-170201.html


That should be enough reading material for the night!



Good luck,

Peter

[Bobbo]

Originally Posted by OTRA15

Yup that will happen with basic charger supplied by AS. Most folks upgrade to 4-stage charger, and get new batteries.

Good general reading: http://www.batteriesnorthwest.com/ba...hool.cfm?TID=0

Lots of threads on battery failure issues. Stand by for links.

Battery forum: http://www.airforums.com/forums/f449/

Threads:
links coming

What OTRA15 said!

The one I swapped to is Progressive Dynamics 4655V

I had a single stage converter boil batteries dry on a previous RV that we owned. I swapped this one out before we ever took it out camping. As a matter of fact, I had the replacement converter in the garage about 2 weeks before we took delivery of the TT.