Residential Fridge didn't cool while traveling

lizst · 06-08-2021, 07:14 AM

Have a 2021 North Point. We made a 7 hour trip and when we arrived our refrigerator was on but not cooling. When we hooked up electric it started cooling again.

Marine71-76 · 06-08-2021, 07:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lizst

Have a 2021 North Point. We made a 7 hour trip and when we arrived our refrigerator was on but not cooling. When we hooked up electric it started cooling again.

What type of refrigerator? Did you turn on the inverter?

TxLoser · 06-08-2021, 07:47 AM

I think if the voltage gets low enough the inverter cuts out. That could cause the fridge to cycle on and off therefor not cooling. Maybe your TV was not keeping up with battery drain. I may be way off base, but that’s my first thought. Considering it was on, that tells me the inverter was working. But not cooling tells me power was an issue along the way.

What’s your battery setup, and we’re they charged prior to departure? Also, was the fridge cooled off prior to departure?

Marine71-76 · 06-08-2021, 07:55 AM

Just FYI - DW turned on the inverter while the unit was still on shore power. The inverter started throwing codes when I unplugged it & DW just happened to hear it while walking by checking the unit. She now waits until unplugged from shore power.

RipinSC · 06-08-2021, 10:27 AM

That should not make a difference to turn on the inverter when plugged in to shore power. The easiest thing to do is just leave it on all the time.

TxLoser · 06-08-2021, 10:33 AM

Agree. We leaves our on from departure to cleanup at the end of the trip.

Edutron · 06-08-2021, 11:18 AM

2020 Pinnacle - make sure inverter is off in storage (if that is where it is - ceiling) Use remote on wall to turn inverter on and off. Before leaving, turn inverter on in coach using remote if you have a remote. Factory inverters especially the 1200 watt will have about 120 watt draw from fridge (new residentials are very energy efficient) so with a low coach battery, the towing vehicle will supply enough current to coach battery for the inverter to feed the fridge. On shore power the inverter allows AC current to by-pass inverter for 110v to fridge even if inverter is on.

Kahoneys · 06-08-2021, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marine71-76

Just FYI - DW turned on the inverter while the unit was still on shore power. The inverter started throwing codes when I unplugged it & DW just happened to hear it while walking by checking the unit. She now waits until unplugged from shore power.

We have had the same issue. Half the time it throws and E05 code and doesn't work, the other half works fine when we turn it on prior to disconnecting the shore power. Have never thrown a code if turning on after disconnecting the shore power.

Edutron · 06-08-2021, 11:49 AM

get your inverter manual out and on the remote you should have load sensing OFF that will mess you up because it will shutoff when fridge compressor turns on (10 amp startup) afterwards it goes to 1 amp or less run. I do everything from remote, make sure inverter is off and control from remote. I think I have my power save timer OFF as well.
(Xantrex Freedom X Inverter 1200 watts)

GHen · 06-08-2021, 12:37 PM

I agree, 7 hours may be just too long for the batteries to keep the inverter running.

I suggest some ice packs in the fridge during travel to protect the food. With the door closed it will stay cold enough until your next stop. We do that if we don’t get the fridge completely cooled down prior to travel.

lizst · 06-08-2021, 03:27 PM

Thank you everyone, looks like inverter not working, we have been in touch with the company going to tackle it tomorrow as we had plans today. Love all the helpful hints will try them.

lizst · 06-08-2021, 03:29 PM

EDURTON: This is the same inverter you have. Will check out what you said about remote. I assume when you say remote you mean the one inside the camper under control panel.

Radar57 · 06-08-2021, 09:08 PM

I have had a similar issue/concern about battery life to run inverter during travel to keep fridge cold, especially in the hot summer months. Long term solution will be to install a 40 Amp DC to DC charge. This should supply more than enough electrical power to charge the batteries and run the inverter while traveling.

Edutron · 06-09-2021, 01:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lizst

Have a 2021 North Point. We made a 7 hour trip and when we arrived our refrigerator was on but not cooling. When we hooked up electric it started cooling again.

Correct

merrittbtjc · 06-19-2021, 12:13 PM

problem could be caused by removing hose without shutting off valve. reattach hose and turn of valve. If this doesn't work. Use this info to further explore problem. I was about to replace valve pressure regulator and the above was the problem. Merritt

Hemi-707 · 06-21-2021, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Edutron

2020 Pinnacle - make sure inverter is off in storage (if that is where it is - ceiling) Use remote on wall to turn inverter on and off. Before leaving, turn inverter on in coach using remote if you have a remote. Factory inverters especially the 1200 watt will have about 120 watt draw from fridge (new residentials are very energy efficient) so with a low coach battery, the towing vehicle will supply enough current to coach battery for the inverter to feed the fridge. On shore power the inverter allows AC current to by-pass inverter for 110v to fridge even if inverter is on.

I have a Jayco 2019 Northpoint 381FLWS and have noticed that the coach will not have any 12v power if the coach battery is disconnected and the trailer is connected to my Truck. Also if the coach battery is disconnected and even plugged into shore power nothing in the trailer functions, not even lights. Anyone else experience this as well? I have had multiple trailers and this is the first one that will not run anything 12v until battery is hooked up.

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