Absorption Fridge 12V Switch Tripped Shore Power Breaker

[FirsTimeNewbieCoach]

I know it’s not any good and will eventually get a 12v only fridge - but when I attempted to flip a switch just to see if anything came on a while back in 12v mode the AC voltage or main shore power tripped the whole thing - the main breaker feeding the rig. how does low voltage side trip all the power ?

 

[8Muddypaws]

The brand & model of the refrigerator would be helpful.

 

[Gary RV_Wizard]

Need to know fridge make & model and what switch was flipped. I suspect you misunderstand the power sources your fridge depends upon. Very few absorption fridges have a 12v-only mode and use a small amount of 12v power for control purposes plus either 120vac electric or a propane burner to drive the cooling process.

It's not that absorption fridges are "no good", but they do give up some capability so they can run with very minimal electric power by burning propane. If you have a generous supply of electric power at all times, you can enjoy the benefits of a compressor-driven fridge.

 

[Larry N.]

Very few absorption fridges have a 12v-only mode and use a small amount of 12v power for control purposes plus either 120vac electric or a propane burner to drive the cooling process.

Those few that do have a 12V mode tend to draw a LOT of juice, too, so battery life gets short...

 

[Kirk]

Since the subject is "Absorption Fridge" I suspect that you were trying to get it to operate from shore-power or 120V. It does require 12V to operate the control system but if you select AC it then connects the electrical heating element in place of a propane flame. If that is the case and it tripped a 120V circuit breaker, I would be pretty sure that you have a shorted heating element. They are not difficult to troubleshoot or to replace.

 

[RayIN]

I know it’s not any good and will eventually get a 12v only fridge - but when I attempted to flip a switch just to see if anything came on a while back in 12v mode the AC voltage or main shore power tripped the whole thing - the main breaker feeding the rig. how does low voltage side trip all the power ?

Every OEM 12V absorbtion RV refrigerator I know only works when the engine is running to supply enough amperage.
That however does not explain what you said happened.