Trillium 4500 fridge power - Fiberglass RV
Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×


Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 07-16-2020, 07:46 AM   #1
Member
 
Name: Vic
Trailer: Trillium
Ontario
Posts: 65
Trillium 4500 fridge power

I have a question regarding the power to operate the refrigerator in my Trillium 4500. Does the Converter switch need to be set to "Trans" when the trailer is hooked up to 120V. Does that mean the fridge is running on 12V. I mean is the Converter stepping the 120V down to 12V?
Vic Berger is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-16-2020, 08:02 AM   #2
Senior Member
 
Joe MacDonald's Avatar
 
Trailer: 1981 Trillium 5500
Posts: 1,158
depends on the fridge and converter, is it a 3 way fridge? could be 12v, 120v and propane.
when plugged into shore power, a three way runs from 120v. , 12v if only on batteries, or propane for either. need the model number from the fridge to determine
Joe
Joe MacDonald is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-16-2020, 08:08 AM   #3
Member
 
Name: Vic
Trailer: Trillium
Ontario
Posts: 65
Trillium fridge power

Joe
Can I reply directly from your email or do I have to go to Fibreglass RV?
Did you get my reply? I replied in my email program.
Anyway, It's a 3 way fridge Dometic RM360
Vic Berger is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-16-2020, 09:22 AM   #4
Senior Member
 
John in Michigan's Avatar
 
Name: John
Trailer: 1979 Boler 1700
Michigan
Posts: 2,048
Registry
Vic, I can tell you how the Trillium 4500 with the original (ancient) converter works because I have exactly the same equipment!

When you are plugged into shore power (110 VAC), the converter should be switched to TRANS, i.e., the 12 VDC transformer is powered on. In shore power/TRANS mode, the fridge should be used in 110 VAC mode, NOT 12 VDC mode. The fridge should be used in 12 VDC mode only when towing.

EDIT: Furthermore, when in shore power/TRANS mode, the 12 VDC transformer is only used to power the 12 VDC interior lights and other 12 VDC accessories that might have been added to the trailer.
John in Michigan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-16-2020, 09:32 AM   #5
Member
 
Name: Vic
Trailer: Trillium
Ontario
Posts: 65
Regarding interior lighting

John
Are you saying there's no interior lighting possible when towing (and connected to the car power)?
Vic Berger is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-16-2020, 09:41 AM   #6
Senior Member
 
John in Michigan's Avatar
 
Name: John
Trailer: 1979 Boler 1700
Michigan
Posts: 2,048
Registry
I am not saying that.

The converter three way toggle switch is for switching DC power between the transformer (labelled TRANS) when shore power is available, and 12 VDC battery (labelled BATT) when shore power is not available. Putting the three way toggle switch in the middle position shuts 12 VDC power off.

120 VAC power is only available when plugged into shore power.
John in Michigan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-16-2020, 09:43 AM   #7
Member
 
Name: Vic
Trailer: Trillium
Ontario
Posts: 65
Interior lighting in Trillium 4500

Putting it another way: Should the trailer interior lights work when the trailer is hooked up to the car and the Convertor is set on 12V? Because I can't get the interior lights working with the trailer hooked up to the car.
Vic Berger is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-16-2020, 09:54 AM   #8
Senior Member
 
John in Michigan's Avatar
 
Name: John
Trailer: 1979 Boler 1700
Michigan
Posts: 2,048
Registry
OK that's back to your original question. Typically the tow vehicle provides 12 VDC power to the trailer interior circuitry via a 7-pin connector that has a 12 VDC power wire and a ground wire. If you have a 7-pin connector on the trailer that includes a 12 VDC power wire that is actually wired back to tow vehicle 12 VDC power, then the next thing to check is what 12 VDC circuits/accessories in the trailer are connected to it.

EDIT: That's a lot of IFs. I don't use the tow vehicle 7-pin power circuit. I installed a battery in the trailer to power 12 VDC lights inside the trailer.
John in Michigan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-16-2020, 10:13 AM   #9
Senior Member
 
John in Michigan's Avatar
 
Name: John
Trailer: 1979 Boler 1700
Michigan
Posts: 2,048
Registry
That old original converter charging circuit will ruin a 12 VDC battery. To avoid this problem, I wired the battery so that it is not connected when shore power / TRANS mode / transformer are powered on. The 12 VDC battery is connected only in BATT (battery) mode. I charge the battery using a separate battery charger.
John in Michigan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-19-2020, 06:40 AM   #10
Senior Member
 
Joe MacDonald's Avatar
 
Trailer: 1981 Trillium 5500
Posts: 1,158
Where in Ontario are you? I am in Whitefish, bring it up if you can and we can go over it, email me at macdojd @ cyberbeach. net
Joe
Joe MacDonald is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-19-2020, 07:17 AM   #11
Member
 
Name: Vic
Trailer: Trillium
Ontario
Posts: 65
Thanks Joe

That's a nice offer and very tempting.
Is that the Whitefish near Sudbury?
I'm in Toronto right now but planning to hit the road as soon as I get the trailer ready.
Victor
Vic Berger is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-19-2020, 07:38 AM   #12
Senior Member
 
Name: bill
Trailer: 2013 Escape 19
The Mountains of North Carolina
Posts: 4,137
Registry
One thing to check is the 120V wiring. On mine, the insulation on the power cord was totally disintegrated. Without removing the upper outside vent, you really couldn't appreciate how bad it really was.

I posted a few pictures on my Trillium page.
__________________
Check my Trillium Project Page: https://www.facebook.com/Bills-1977-...dmin_todo_tour
thrifty bill is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
fridge, trillium


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Bar fridge ideas for Trillium 4500 Chris, J Problem Solving | Owners Helping Owners 7 08-20-2018 08:54 PM
Installing a 21" deep fridge into a 19" space on a Trillium 4500 lamimartin Modifications, Alterations and Updates 16 05-05-2017 05:42 PM
Trillium 4500: Need to replace sidewall fridge vent Laurie Problem Solving | Owners Helping Owners 4 05-22-2014 05:50 AM
1979 Trillium 4500 for sale -- C$5200 or US$4500 - SOLD jenniferm Classified Archives 8 07-14-2009 01:38 PM

» Upcoming Events
No events scheduled in
the next 465 days.
» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 02:14 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.