12V Only Frig Question

High Desert · 11-24-2019, 07:27 PM

A friend of mine just purchased a new 2020 Forester MBS 2401W and called me tonight with a question I could not answer, as having previously owned a 2017 Sprinter. His unit has the 12V only Magic Chef frig, and he cannot find a "on / off" switch anywhere. Is there any way to turn this unit off without completely cutting power to the coach? I really wasn't aware that the move was towards 12V only units now. Thx

DaveJordan · 11-25-2019, 08:43 AM

Are you sure he's got a Magic Chef RV refrigerator? I've poked around the net for a while and can find no sign of such a unit, let alone a 12-volt only version. Magic Chef does seem to have small (dorm type) 120-volt units. I did find a couple of 12-volt only units, including this new one from Furrion:

https://rv-pro.com/news/furrion-unve...v-refrigerator

Anyway, it might help to know exactly what model refrigerator he's got...

Dave

High Desert · 11-25-2019, 08:48 AM

Thx Dave. I went through the same exercise last night looking through the web for the type of frig he said he had and could find nothing on a 12 v Magic Chef unit. I am going to call him today and gave him confirm what the brand and model is in his rig.

5picker · 11-25-2019, 08:51 AM

It may not have one.

There have been a few reports about the new EverChill 12v refrigerator having no on/off button, only an adjustable temperature control.

If it really is a Magic Chef, I've not heard of a 12v model but they may rebrand the EverChill with their name.

BehindBars · 11-25-2019, 09:04 AM

At a local dealer two days ago, I observed in the two 2020 E-450 based Sunseeker models they had, that FR had switched to using 12 volt refrigerators branded as Magic Chef. I attached a picture of the refrigerator label from a Sunseeker 3050S. Note on the label that the rated voltage is 12 volts DC. This may not be the exact size/model used in the MBS line, but I think we can stop questioning the OP’s statement that his/her friends unit actually had a Magic Chef branded refrigerator. The next step is to find the operator manual for it.

I looked at Forest River’s owner support page for a 2020 MBS, but they are not (yet) listing a manual for a Magic Chef refrigerator. https://forestriverinc.help/#/forest...B-374BE6B97636. Perhaps a call directly to Forest River is the next step.

upflying · 11-25-2019, 09:12 AM

Interesting a brand new RV would have a fridge that operates only on 12 volts. Seems to me the heating element necesssry to operate an ammonia absorption system would quickly drain the house battery.
Perhaps it runs on propane or 110volts and the 12 volts is only used for the interior light and the piezio (spelling?) ignition?

**KyDan** · 11-25-2019, 09:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by upflying

....snip...
Perhaps it runs on propane or 110volts and the 12 volts is only used for the interior light and the piezio (spelling?) ignition?

If it's like the schematic pictured it's a 12v compressor fridge.
And since it's a small model much like the under bar or dorm room models, it most likely is shut off by simply turning the thermostat all the way in the warmer direction to the off position.

upflying · 11-25-2019, 09:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KyDan

If it's like the schematic pictured it's a 12v compressor fridge.
And since it's a small model much like the under bar or dorm room models, it most likely is shut off by simply turning the thermostat all the way in the warmer direction to the off position.

Isnt a RV fridge equipped with 12 volt compressor likely to run a battery down? Just seems strange to me.

BehindBars · 11-25-2019, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by upflying

Interesting a brand new RV would have a fridge that operates only on 12 volts. Seems to me the heating element necesssry to operate an ammonia absorption system would quickly drain the house battery.
Perhaps it runs on propane or 110volts and the 12 volts is only used for the interior light and the piezio (spelling?) ignition?

The Magic Chef branded refrigerator I saw at the dealer was not an absorption type. The unit used 12 volts only - no 120 VAC or propane. It had a compressor. Also, the typical outside wall and roof refrigerator vents were missing from the motorhome as they are apparently unnecessary for this compressor type refrigerator.

FrankH35 · 11-25-2019, 09:37 AM

I have one of these in my Wildwood 19DBXL. Some of the newer versions of this fridge come with an actual on/off switch on the side of the unit itself. Mine does not have this. I wish it did. I've found that it is absolutely crucial that you engage the battery disconnect immediately when your trailer is not in use--even if only for a day or so. Otherwise it will drain your battery. They claim it only uses 3 amps once it's down to temp but I am not taking any chances.

**KyDan** · 11-25-2019, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by upflying

Isnt a RV fridge equipped with 12 volt compressor likely to run a battery down? Just seems strange to me.

Anything 12v will run down your batteries eventually.
If this 12v fridge is in a motor coach with large house batteries and/or a generator/and or the house batteries are charged by the engine when running- it could work very well.
Not everyone boondocks for days at a time. Many folks never do.

5picker · 11-25-2019, 09:50 AM

12v COMPRESSOR type refrigerators are not a new concept but they seem to be making a splash recently in the R/V sector.

BehindBars · 11-25-2019, 09:58 AM

Looking at a higher resolution version of the photo I attached to post #5, the Magic Chef refrigerator schematic on the label does not show an on-off switch or a temperature preference control. It does show a Display PCBA, but doesn’t show that the display includes controls. Perhaps the refrigerator manufacturer left it to the RV manufacturer to add a power switch. If this is the case, and if Forest River did not include a power switch, it seems that the customer adding a power switch would be top priority.

**Bama Rambler** · 11-25-2019, 09:59 AM

This fridge is the EverChill fridge. If you look it even has the same model and mfg. numbers. The only way to turn it off is to disconnect it from 12 volt power. They'll probably have to pull a fuse in the power center.

I'd look at adding a switch in a convenient location if I was going to need to turn it off regularly.

DaveJordan · 11-25-2019, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bama Rambler

This fridge is the EverChill fridge. If you look it even has the same model and mfg. numbers. The only way to turn it off is to disconnect it from 12 volt power. They'll probably have to pull a fuse in the power center.

I'd look at adding a switch in a convenient location if I was going to need to turn it off regularly.

Yup, it's the same as the EverChill with the same model number. I was able to track down a minimal owner's manual for it here:

https://manuals.heartlandowners.org/...ator/Everchill

It does not appear to have a power switch - maybe the warmest thermostat setting is off? Otherwise, I think you'd need an external switch or circuit breaker...

Dave

5picker · 11-25-2019, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaveJordan

Yup, it's the same as the EverChill with the same model number. I was able to track down a minimal owner's manual for it here:

https://manuals.heartlandowners.org/...ator/Everchill

It does not appear to have a power switch - maybe the warmest thermostat setting is off? Otherwise, I think you'd need an external switch or circuit breaker...

Dave

That is not what has been reported by EverChill owners as I mentioned in post #4.

No on/off button/control.

BehindBars · 11-25-2019, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaveJordan

Yup, it's the same as the EverChill with the same model number. I was able to track down a minimal owner's manual for it here:

https://manuals.heartlandowners.org/...ator/Everchill

It does not appear to have a power switch - maybe the warmest thermostat setting is off? Otherwise, I think you'd need an external switch or circuit breaker...

Dave

Yep, that looks like the same refrigerator. The manual is not very helpful. It says for vacation time, remove all food and unplug the electrical cord from the wall outlet.

**KyDan** · 11-25-2019, 11:07 AM

A fridge with no control over temp would not appeal to me.

DaveJordan · 11-25-2019, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KyDan

A fridge with no control over temp would not appeal to me.

No - it's got an adjustable thermostat. Well, actually, two - one for the fridge and one for the freezer. Just doesn't have a way to turn it completely off.

madatme · 11-25-2019, 12:22 PM

I have a Vibe with the everchill frig, to my knowledge there is no on/off switch. I just turn the controls to off and it's done. The only thing on is the led light inside, how long will the battery last with that on dont know. I wouldn't worry to much about that light because sooner than later your going to disconnect anyway to keep other stuff from drawing down the battery, by the way the everchill frig works very well

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