The 12 volt element is NOT using the tstat control.... When you switch to DC, the 12 volt current is applied direct to the element and not thru the tstat control system.
Hi Doug,
According to the schematic it appears that 12V DOES go through the tstat. See link in my original post for schematic. Do you know if there is a newer schematic for this unit that shows the direct 12V application you speak of?
As far as the wires go, the 12V supply for the fridge is directly from the coach battery, is very close to the fridge, about 3 feet as it is woven, and is fused at the fridge, NOT at the converter or distribution panel. . I didn't measure their gauge, but the conductors look to be 8-10 ga. See here.
Heater wiring Further, at 15 Amp current flow, if these wires were at all inadequate, they would heat up and possibly melt. This has not been the case.
The charging system in the motorhome is such that when the vehicle is running, BOTH the coach (house) battery as well as the chassis battery is being charged from the vehicle's alternator. When the vehicle is NOT running, the chassis battery is isolated from the coach/house battery.
I was not aware that there were "pockets" for the heaters welded on to the boiler portion of the fridge. I have never been inside the boiler area. That is good to know. I can't seem to find any diagrams of the refrigeration unit. Probably because there is not much servicing that can be done to it.
