Unless you have a 2nd battery, I can�t imagine why one would want the
fridge to operate off the battery without the alternator charging. Except
for extended driving, I do not even see any reason to use the 12 volt
function at all. But anyway, you are doing it the hard way. Just move the
fridge connection  to the 2 wires on the other side of that relay and your
job will done. A single pole double throw switch will allow you to change
modes at will.

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
neil N
Sent: Tuesday, July 24, 2007 6:31 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: FRIDGE MOD. 12V electrical idea + question

Hi all.

I'm pretty sure the wiring aspect of this would work. Please advise if
not.

Possibly useful for people that have a Dometic fridge with fridge
relay installed on fridge itself (1980-81 Westies) but want fridge to
run on 12V, engine NOT running.

Refer to "Camper 1980-1981". P 97.32b in Bentley.

Disconnect blue wire that runs from term 61 of connector under dash to
fridge relay. Install a #20 jumper wire from term. 30 to term. 85 of
fridge relay.

Stock configuration:

switched to "12V" at fridge switch, supply goes from switched
connection, through grey wire to term. 30 of relay. This does nothing
until engine is running. When engine running, 12V is sent from a blue
wire from under dash, via connectors, to term. 85 of relay. This
activates relay so switch inside closes and allows 12V to go to
heating element.

Engine on: relay on. Engine off: relay off.

When blue wire disconected, jumper installed, engine OFF and fridge
switch set to "12V", supply sent to term 30, is also sent to term 85
which activates relay.

Curious if fridge switch will handle the extra (albeit small) load.

Anyone know if it will?

Many thanks,

Neil

--
Neil Nicholson. 1981 Air Cooled Westfalia.

http://web.mac.com/tubaneil