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oneovernone's avatar
oneovernone
Explorer
Feb 15, 2014

Fridge & Thermostat suddenly not working

I just drove my 1984 Rockwood RV from Massachusetts to California with very few problems. The thermostat and fridge worked great the entire time. The aux battery needed to be recharged a few times to keep up if we werent running for a few days and the fridge stayed on.

Now that we've been in California, I've been plugged in and not using my aux battery. All the lights work great and the heat was working per usual but suddenly the thermostat wont kick on whatsoever and neither with the fridge. Theres no fan noise, no beeping from the fridge, just totally dead as if it weren't connected to anything at all.

The overhead lights and plug outlets all still work though. I've unplugged the shore power to see if maybe it would just run with the aux battery like before but still nothing. Any suggestions?? Thanks.

4 Replies

  • Thank you everyone for your help, unfortunately I just made a rookie move and didnt check the fuse box. All fixed! Thanks!
  • j-d's avatar
    j-d
    Explorer II
    It at least was (we had a 1984 Coach) common to have the converter power 12-volt things like lights and fans, while the fridge's logic board was always powered by the battery. If the battery was not being recharged, the fridge would shut down. That happens to us, because the charger part of the converter (correctly called Converter/Charger) had failed.
    If in your case the logic boards for both fridge and furnace were wired to always be battery powered, the coach/house battery going low would keep those two appliances from working.
    As noted, a Digital Volt Ohm Meter (DVOM) is essential. Those cheap/free Harbor Fright ones are excellent to carry along. I try to have one at home, in the RV, in the boat, and in each vehicle. Shop at all at HF and you'll have a box of them on hand before long.
    OH, Why Direct to Battery? Because the converter made a "dirty" or "noisy" 12VDC. Plenty good for light bulbs and brush-style motors but possibly interfering or damaging to solid state circuits. A battery is an excellent "filter" so having it in circuit kept things cleaner electricity-wise.
  • Try Harbor Freight nearby for the DMM. Closest I think is in:

    SAN RAFAEL, CA #00386 (13.3 mi)
    863 EAST FRANCISCO BLVD
    SAN RAFAEL, CA 94901
    415-721-0792

    I just got another 7 function DMM free with the coupon.

    As far as your problem get the meter or a test light and then see if your circuit breaker has tripped and all the other things mentioned earlier.
  • Check voltage at the battery-- your converter may be bad or not getting 120 VAC.

    Digital voltmeters start under $20 are are a MUST in an RV.

    Let us know what you find.

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