New Winnebago Thrive TT Refrigerator Mystery

[BnL Travels]

I have a new Winnie Thrive with a 12 volt Furrion refrigerator. After we turn it off, leave the trailer, we shut off the battery connect. If for any reason we need to turn the battery back on (through the disconnect switch) the refrigerator automatically turns on. So we have to be sure to go in and turn if off again at its own control panel. That definitely could cause a drain while in storage if we forget to do that.
As usual, I am getting different answers from different dealers. I am waiting to hear back from Winnebago and Furrion. Anyone else experience this and is it normal? One dealer commented it might be incase of a power outage...maybe.

 

[Wmlunt-WO]

We have the same 12v refer model I believe, WBGO 2024 MM 2108.
When I shut down, I turn off the refer at the switch inside the door, (I think the light remains on) then the 12v master switch in the basement.
When I turn the master switch back on, I see the interior light in the fridge is on, but the refer does not run until the knob is turned to cold.
Maybe you don’t turn the knob all the way to off?
Bill

 

[BnL Travels]

Here is what I learned from Lippert. That it is designed to do that. Go on after you turn on the power/batteries. Even if you have the refer turned off at its control panel. It is the default position incase you lose power and it comes back on. I can understand that IF you have the unit turned on or set at a certain cold level but why when it is completely turned off? Again, the answer is that is was built that way as a safeguard. This is primarily only for those with digital controls not dial or knobs. This is not only Furrion but all of their refer models. Surprisingly, I was told that it has been like that for over 6 years! Yet I couldn't get that answer for the dealers or Winnebago. I can't believe I am the first customer to ever ask this question.

 

[Wmlunt-WO]

I will have to try that!
Wondering if it turns on, gets cold, then shuts off as per the knob setting…?
Bill

 

[Sir Robin]

Wondering if it turns on, gets cold, then shuts off as per the knob setting…?
Bill

That is a funny question. Thanks for the laugh.

I can't imagine that the answer to the question will be as funny.

 

[Wmlunt-WO]

Odd that it turns on when power comes on (cools down the refrigerator) and the knob is set to off.
I’m just wondering if the knob is set to “off”, and power is turned on, whether it will reach some arbitrary set point then “read” the thermostat set at “off” and shut down.

 

[BnL Travels]

Odd that it turns on when power comes on (cools down the refrigerator) and the knob is set to off.
I’m just wondering if the knob is set to “off”, and power is turned on, whether it will reach some arbitrary set point then “read” the thermostat set at “off” and shut down.

Not sure if that question is to me or WM. I have the digital controls, no "knob". So once the battery switch goes through an off/on cycle the refer comes back on automatically. Even with my refer control powered off.
It will be controlled by the thermostat and shut off just like any normal use. The problem is if I don't realize it when needing the battery on for different projects I am working on, the fridge comes on and would drain the battery while in my storage lot. I also leave the doors propped open during storage meaning it will run continuously. Recently I was working on a new controller in my storage area and used the battery switch off/on cycle. No need to go inside for this exercise but I did have the door open. Luckily, when I went to lock things up, I heard the refrigerator running. So this is something I have to get used to and check each and every time I am "playing" with the unit.

 

[djevans01]

I'm in and out of the camper so much getting it ready for our first outing, I just decided to pull the fuse FWTMBW. "done" (simple)

I do appreciate that it works like that though...

 

[djevans01]

I have a new Winnie Thrive with a 12 volt Furrion refrigerator. After we turn it off, leave the trailer, we shut off the battery connect. If for any reason we need to turn the battery back on (through the disconnect switch) the refrigerator automatically turns on. So we have to be sure to go in and turn if off again at its own control panel. That definitely could cause a drain while in storage if we forget to do that.
As usual, I am getting different answers from different dealers. I am waiting to hear back from Winnebago and Furrion. Anyone else experience this and is it normal? One dealer commented it might be incase of a power outage...maybe.

additional - Yep...Noticed it right away. Also right away, pull the refrigerator fuse as I mentioned. I'm probably going to install something from this page, or, at least do something like these so that all I have to do to depart for trips, is to throw the switch. https://www.amazon.com/s?k=auto+fuse+with+switch&crid=2FS1C2AGT8BMJ&sprefix=auto+fuse+with+switch,aps,161&ref=nb_sb_noss_1

 

[Morich]

I have never seen the details of the digital controls, so this can only be a guess at best! But when thinking about it only being true for digital controls we then have to consider how different they work than older mechanical controls with switch and relays.
In the intergrated circuits that they pack in a tiny little box there may be dozens of what are the equivelent of switches. They have different names for how each may act like AND, NAND and such that tells us the basic operation of that specific gate.
If we think of an AND gate, it has three "legs", two input and one output. The idea is that if one leg is hot AND we make the second one hot, it changes the output to hot!
So it is easy for me to imagine that there is an AND gate at some point in the digital controls that is waiting for the second leg to go hot and turn the output hot??? We turn the power on and both go hot, so it turns the frig on?
So that may leave it as it was designed to do that or it may just be the way that one small chip reacts!
They likely left it that way to turn back on after power and part of that decision was what the alternate might be.
Over time we are certainly losing the ability to repair things when they are fully boards with nothing we can see, hear, or test with our limited test equipment!