GoRV - Digital Magazine Issue #85 | Page 53

RV FEATURE
The first thing to check is to ensure you have a good positive and earth connection . Check the battery terminals are tight and clean . The fridge may also be earthed to some part of the vehicle . Try to follow where the power leads go . Some will trace back to the negative battery terminal but others will terminate on the vehicle chassis .
In the case of a car fridge , it will probably be near the fridge itself . On a caravan , it may be outside on a chassis rail , near where the fridge is installed . Either way , they should be easy to find . Look for signs of rust or a loose connection and fix as necessary .
If your fridge is powered by a cigarette lighter plug , this will be the likely source of the issue . These plugs are convenient but they are very unreliable . Remove the plug from the socket and give it a thorough inspection . If you notice any melting of the plug itself , it ’ s a sign that it has not been making a proper connection , causing a resistance that generates heat . If this happens , you will need to replace the plug .
If the plug looks okay , it may have a blown fuse inside . Taking these plugs apart varies but the majority will unscrew at the tip to reveal the fuse .
If the fuse is intact , it is likely the plug and the socket are not fitting correctly . You can try re-seating the plug into the socket , which may fix the issue , but you ’ ll need to check it regularly .
If you ’ re having power issues , it ’ s a good idea to check that the battery terminals are tight and free of corrosion .
LED lights are generally very reliable but any flashing indicates there is too much current being drawn by another device on the same circuit .
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