Smart Alternator Technology etc.

Jeepman replied on 14/02/2017 17:27

Jeepman

Posted on 14/02/2017 17:27

I tow my Unicorn 3 Vigo with a 63 plate Ford Kuga. I have found that on all journeys the van fridge defrosts by the time I arrive at my destination. The cause is the smart alternator technology on the car, which turns the output off when the car's battery is fully charged. This also turns off the direct circuit to the van fridge.

I only noticed this as the fridge is a large one and more susceptible to losing cooling than the smaller ones in my previous Unicorn and Pegasus vans.

No solution from Ford, or my dealer who has carried out circuit testing on the car at Ford's behest.

Although I don't have it, a stop/start system does the same thing as on starting again the circuit to the fridge remains switched off.

Anybody else experienced this or has a solution?

The National Caravan Council issued a paper on this in December 2016.

1 person likes this

39 replies

Vulcan replied on 22/02/2017 21:40

Member

Vulcan

Posted on 22/02/2017 21:25 by davetommo

I have a freelander 2 and the same problems with my fridge. Buying a land rover is not the answer

Posted on 22/02/2017 21:40

I had two Freelander 2's with LR fitted tow bar and wiring, never had a problem with fridge power.

davetommo replied on 22/02/2017 21:53

Member

davetommo

Motorhomer

Posted on 22/02/2017 21:53

Mine was fitted at Land Rover dealer Vulcan . Does yours have stop start technology.

Fozzie replied on 22/02/2017 22:26

Member

Fozzie

Posted on 22/02/2017 22:26

Perhaps we can ask the club's technical dept for an solution to why the same car can have different voltage outputs to the fridge whilst towing.

What does surprise me with all this,that when you think of all the caravanners who tow regularly,why this is has not been flagged up more often.

Vulcan replied on 22/02/2017 22:29

Member

Vulcan

Posted on 22/02/2017 21:53 by davetommo

Mine was fitted at Land Rover dealer Vulcan . Does yours have stop start technology.

Posted on 22/02/2017 22:29

Neither of the Freelanders had stop start however my current RR Sport has but still no problem with fridge power.

JVB66 replied on 22/02/2017 22:51

Member

JVB66

Campervanner

Posted on 22/02/2017 21:40 by Vulcan

I had two Freelander 2's with LR fitted tow bar and wiring, never had a problem with fridge power.

Posted on 22/02/2017 22:51

Well according to all i spoke to today its a well know problem,maybe a look at what power is required for the latest model of fridge,is that what Dometic are looking at

Metheven replied on 22/02/2017 22:53

Member

Metheven

Caravanner

Posted on 22/02/2017 22:53

I have the Freelander 2 SD4 automatic and the fridge works perfectly. Of course it does not have start/stop but the FL2's that have, will automatically have this disabled when towing if the correct Canbus loom was used so it cannot be blamed on that for this car.

MDD10 replied on 23/02/2017 08:10

MDD10

Caravanner

Posted on 23/02/2017 08:10

I wonder if the difference is whether the vehicle specific wiring kit was used as opposed to the wiring being spliced into circuits

Jeepman replied on 12/03/2017 16:51

Member

Jeepman

Caravanner

Posted on 14/02/2017 17:27 by Jeepman

I tow my Unicorn 3 Vigo with a 63 plate Ford Kuga. I have found that on all journeys the van fridge defrosts by the time I arrive at my destination. The cause is the smart alternator technology on the car, which turns the output off when the car's battery is fully charged. This also turns off the direct circuit to the van fridge.

I only noticed this as the fridge is a large one and more susceptible to losing cooling than the smaller ones in my previous Unicorn and Pegasus vans.

No solution from Ford, or my dealer who has carried out circuit testing on the car at Ford's behest.

Although I don't have it, a stop/start system does the same thing as on starting again the circuit to the fridge remains switched off.

Anybody else experienced this or has a solution?

The National Caravan Council issued a paper on this in December 2016.

Posted on 12/03/2017 16:51

Having started this discussion, I am now able to report on my various findings.

This week my car dealer has told me that the problem is universal for all car makes fitted with smart alternator technology!! If you can turn off the stop/start function this helps, until the car battery is fully charged, as that is when the technology stops output from the alternator.

I understand that the form of wiring kit makes no difference.

A couple of weeks ago I towed 200 miles to Norfolk and kept the headlights on all the way. At South Mims services, about 90 miles in, I removed the lower grill to the fridge and almost burned my fingers on the exposed end of the 12v element. The fridge circuit was working.

I understand that the NCC has stated that the fridge manufacturers are looking into modified fridge circuit boards to deal with the issue of a low voltage.