Do you travel with the frig on poll

[newbold1]

I always travel with the fridge on. Someone will probably be able to find some obscure news article where a fire or explosion occurred as a result of doing this. But considering the thousands of travel trailers running everyday and probably many with the fridge going it seems like my odds are extremely good that nothing bad is going to happen. I've never heard of a travel trailer blowing up at a gas station because the fridge was running. Possible... I suppose. But I probably have better odds of winning the lottery and I don't see that happening anytime soon... so I don't sweat it. Rather have my food loaded before the trip and no concern that it will be ruined at the end of the drive.

[Mustang65]

We dont travel with the LP tanks on. We just returned from a 6.5K miles out west. We leave the TT's inverter on while traveling and run the fridge on electric. It does not come on that often anyway and the batteries are fully charged at the next CG.

[TCNashville]

I've never traveled with the fridge on, but I may try it sometime. My trips aren't really long enough to make a difference. Hour, hour and a half, max. Plus, my 8 cu. ft. Norcold seems to cool quickly. If a trip was more than 2 hours, I'd probably try it.

[Doug]

Originally Posted by Mustang65

We dont travel with the LP tanks on. We just returned from a 6.5K miles out west. We leave the TT's inverter on while traveling and run the fridge on electric. It does not come on that often anyway and the batteries are fully charged at the next CG.

X2

[glsimms]

Originally Posted by jdorant

Make sure you are bleeding your propane lines before trying to run your fridge on propane. A small air bubble could be keeping your fridge from lighting on propane or going out. You can bleed you lines by lighting the stove and letting it run for 30 seconds.

We've had to do this with our X23B a few times and it does work........

[clubhouse]

Originally Posted by Mustang65

We dont travel with the LP tanks on. We just returned from a 6.5K miles out west. We leave the TT's inverter on while traveling and run the fridge on electric. It does not come on that often anyway and the batteries are fully charged at the next CG.

Please share more about how you are using you inverter; that sounds like an excellent way to keep things cool/frozen, LP off in transit, and provides the added benefit of having an inverter to use to not rely on my Genset every time I need AC power at non-elec sites. I have seen another thread were someone has plugged their 30A TT power cord into an inverter via a dog bone to power the TT AC system with out a genset, but you couldn't really do this while traveling. How is your inverter installed were it powers the TT AC appliances? Most inverter users I have seen just run extension cords from their front pass though to the areas they need power, but my fridge appears to be hardwired to the TT elec system not simply plugged into a AC outlet like my home fridges.

[troutslayer]

Actually, not only do I not travel with the propane on or the refer on, I only turn the propane on when needed. So when the DW says, "honey, I need to bake chocolate chip cookies", it gives me something to do so I feel part of the process.

[Doug]

Originally Posted by clubhouse

Please share more about how you are using you inverter; that sounds like an excellent way to keep things cool/frozen, LP off in transit, and provides the added benefit of having an inverter to use to not rely on my Genset every time I need AC power at non-elec sites. I have seen another thread were someone has plugged their 30A TT power cord into an inverter via a dog bone to power the TT AC system with out a genset, but you couldn't really do this while traveling. How is your inverter installed were it powers the TT AC appliances? Most inverter users I have seen just run extension cords from their front pass though to the areas they need power, but my fridge appears to be hardwired to the TT elec system not simply plugged into a AC outlet like my home fridges.

My refrigerator runs on 12V, 120V or propane.
I put the mode to 12V, runs off the battery through the convertor.

Doug

[rosedan]

most all fridges from 2000+ are 3 way (AC,DC or LP). When driving if your not runnin your Gen for the Air Cond. then it's on DC. No need for most everyone to run propane unless nothing running and no shore power.

[Crabman]

Originally Posted by rosedan

most all fridges from 2000+ are 3 way (AC,DC or LP). When driving if your not runnin your Gen for the Air Cond. then it's on DC. No need for most everyone to run propane unless nothing running and no shore power.

I`m afraid many of them still do not have the 3 way fridges, at least not the Norcold in my Jayco. Mine is a 2010 and its only a 2 way, no DC.

[rugerguy]

:wink: What Crabman said^^^^^^^^^^

[NewBlackDak]

Originally Posted by Crabman

I`m afraid many of them still do not have the 3 way fridges, at least not the Norcold in my Jayco. Mine is a 2010 and its only a 2 way, no DC.

Same on my '14.

[Mustang65]

Originally Posted by clubhouse

Please share more about how you are using you inverter; that sounds like an excellent way to keep things cool/frozen, LP off in transit, and provides the added benefit of having an inverter to use to not rely on my Genset every time I need AC power at non-elec sites. I have seen another thread were someone has plugged their 30A TT power cord into an inverter via a dog bone to power the TT AC system with out a genset, but you couldn't really do this while traveling. How is your inverter installed were it powers the TT AC appliances? Most inverter users I have seen just run extension cords from their front pass though to the areas they need power, but my fridge appears to be hardwired to the TT elec system not simply plugged into a AC outlet like my home fridges.

DW would not have any extension cords running through the TT, so I mounted the Inverter in the front storage compartment (close to batteries), and ran a Romex 3 wire cable back to the rear storage compartment (shore power cable storage box location). I cut a hole in the storage box so that the cable can be pulled out and plugged into the rear 30Amp RV outlet (wired to inverter in front storage). We have racked up over 6K miles with this setup and it works great. Batteries are fully charged when we arrive at the next CG. I do turn off the inverter when we arrive at the CG to use the slide-out/stabilizers. We do put the fridge on gas over night. I still need to make a door for the shore power cable box, but for the moment I just put a plastic 6x6 elec box cover over it.
Don

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[clubhouse]

Originally Posted by rosedan

most all fridges from 2000+ are 3 way (AC,DC or LP). When driving if your not runnin your Gen for the Air Cond. then it's on DC. No need for most everyone to run propane unless nothing running and no shore power.

Mine is 120VAC or 12VDC + Propane, I don't have a 12VDC only option. I have 2012 with Norcold 8.1 cf fridge. The only 3-way fridges I was aware of are the very small units found is many PUP. If there is a large 3-way options that would be something to keep in mind as we look at out TT upgrade options.

What model and size fridge are you running that is a 3 way?

[clubhouse]

Originally Posted by Mustang65

DW would not have any extension cords running through the TT, so I mounted the Inverter in the front storage compartment (close to batteries), and ran a Romex 3 wire cable back to the rear storage compartment (shore power cable storage box location). I cut a hole in the storage box so that the cable can be pulled out and plugged into the rear 30Amp RV outlet (wired to inverter in front storage). We have racked up over 6K miles with this setup and it works great. Batteries are fully charged when we arrive at the next CG. I do turn off the inverter when we arrive at the CG to use the slide-out/stabilizers. We do put the fridge on gas over night. I still need to make a door for the shore power cable box, but for the moment I just put a plastic 6x6 elec box cover over it.
Don

[ATTACH][/ATTACH]
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Its unfortunate that the PICs didn't attach, however I can picture exactly what you are saying. What an excent idea. We expect to upgrade TT before next season and this is certainly something I may consider adding. I notice you have a 1500 wall PSI, I assume that isn't large enough to also be able to power your AC with your current configuration.

My wheels are turing. I wonder if a larger PSI inverter, and 4 GC2, set up in a similar fashion to what you have done would also allow the AC to opperate. Would certainly be nice to have some AC capability while boondocking and not need a super heavy EU3000 Generator. I'll have to do some math and research on this...it would be nice to still use my EU2000 just for battery charging and have the inverter power the whole trailer in the way you descride.

Thank you for the information.

I vote your inverter to shore power box mod as the one the best I have came across.

[Mustang65]

Sorry about the pics.. screen went white when it was being sent.
Will try again...
Don

[Doug]

Originally Posted by clubhouse

Mine is 120VAC or 12VDC + Propane, I don't have a 12VDC only option. I have 2012 with Norcold 8.1 cf fridge. The only 3-way fridges I was aware of are the very small units found is many PUP. If there is a large 3-way options that would be something to keep in mind as we look at out TT upgrade options.

What model and size fridge are you running that is a 3 way?

I mis-spoke on my post. My pop-up had all three.

My 165 Sport has 120V, Auto, 12V + propane

Best regards,
Doug

[msturtz]

How did you deal with disabling the converter while on inverter power? It is generally a bad idea to have the converter trying to charge the batteries off of inverter power from the batteries.

[Mustang65]

Originally Posted by msturtz

How did you deal with disabling the converter while on inverter power? It is generally a bad idea to have the converter trying to charge the batteries off of inverter power from the batteries.

The AC distribution panel in the Eagle has an spare position for an additional breaker. I purchased a breaker from Lowes and wired the TT's battery controller's AC power line to the new breaker. Since I added the solar panel to the TT, I have had the TT's battery controller turned off (4 months now).
Don

[NewBlackDak]

You can also accomplish the same thing with a transfer switch.
I have seen a couple units that have converter, inverter, smart charger, solar inlet, transfer switch, and automatic generator startup all built in. Too bad they are $$$$!