Do you travel with the frig on poll

[tnchuck100]

Originally Posted by msturtz

They did some really cool research and found that common new residential refrigerators only pull about 6 Amps @ 120VAC while running. That translates into 720 watts at 1 power factor.

1. Good post. But lets consider all of the factors.
2. 6 amps @ 120V = 60 amps @ 12V (Plus inverter AND power factor losses)
3. Residential refrigerators use a compressor. No unity power factor there. More like .7 or less.

[RLS1955]

We always travel with the fridge on even when refueling. Not many tunnels within driving distance of the Texas Panhandle ...... Never been in one with my 5'er hooked up ......

[Shorty Cox]

We were discussing this very topic at work the other day. One co-worker brought up an interesting point that I thought I knew the answer, but not sure now. When the fridge is running on propane, does the propane burner cycle "on" and "off" as needed or does it burn all the time? I assumed it burned all the time.

[Grumpy]

It cycles the same as the elec when it reaches set point that's the beauty of elec ignition. The old units, pre elec ignition had a pilot which would occasionally blow out while going down the road.

[ALJO]

Always travel with propane off (since the 70's with the first camper). In general to many districts it is not allowed to have propane on, like tunnels, ferries etc.. Maybe 99% there will nothing ever happen and then comes the 1% along. The insurance company would not cover ignorance. If a Fridge is cold it will stay cold enough during travel. If worried a converter is safer route to go. And for the ones talking about converters be sure to get the facts straight. Propane connections can loosen up during travel. Even a brand new unit can have loose connections which will just pass PDI. I checked 5 connections and 3 of them where not tighten enough. Don't forget if they have a new trainee in the RV mfg. plant do you think he will be up to snuff. Hey I had a furnace which was improper installed; the combustion vent was not connected proper. Can they avoid those things in a mfg. plant NO. You cannot have an another person watch another his work. So it is up to every individual what risk they want to take by leaving the propane bottle open during travel.
That's why they say; "Ignorance is Bliss". Happy Travels!

[Shorty Cox]

Okay, that explains why sometimes when I'm parked at the gasoline refinery sometimes I can hear it burning and other times I can't. I thought it was my hearing playing tricks.

[Clayton4971]

Always travel with it on .

[SecretCoveDave]

Never.

[herewego]

I prefer to weigh on the side of caution, and what the laws are, its for our safety only on when stopped for us, it stays cool for us until we get where we are going .

[Shorty Cox]

Do you smoke while filling up at the pumps?

[Bobx2]

Originally Posted by ALJO

snip... That's why they say; "Ignorance is Bliss". Happy Travels!

Nope, not ignorant at all. I know full well the risk and/or likelihood of an issue caused by having my bottles turned on, and fridge running whenever I'm on the road. It is minimal, to the point if all but nonexistent. I appreciate your concern for my safety, but I think I will be just fine, thank you.
I think the ignorant ones may be those who believe all the hoopla about what a terrible risk it is to travel as I do.
How many of you use a cell phone while driving, or maybe use it while refueling? You are a much higher risk to me and everyone else on the road than I am. No shortage of facts to back that up, so please hang up and drive.

[Mustang65]

Originally Posted by Bobx2

How many of you use a cell phone while driving, or maybe use it while refueling?

I use the in-truck blue tooth option when I drive. If I did not have that option, I would not answer it. Tap the radio volume button (since I know its location with my eyes closed) and your on the air. I never call anyone while driving, so that is not an issue, and most of the time I do not answer incoming calls either. They can wait... Windows are closed on the truck when refueling. Run the fridge on AC (inverter) when traveling.

This plan works fine for me.

Just my thoughts,

Don

[Shorty Cox]

You know how people are. When chit-chatting with an auto mechanic, they feel they should make small talk about spark plugs. When chit-chatting with a doctor, they feel they should make small talk about the common cold. The same is true for every profession. I work for a natural gas company. When I stop for fuel for the service truck, other patrons at the fuel station feel obliged to discuss the dangers of natural gas with me, all the while pumping gas into their auto while smoking. I’ve even witness them hold the nozzle and the cigarette with the same hand. Kindling temperature of gasoline is about one third that of natural gas. They are in far more danger doing what they are doing than from any natural gas leak they may find on a gas meter in an alley.
Point being, GOD looks after children and fools. Travel with it “on” or “off”, the odds are with you and nothing said on here will change anotherone's mind.

[SecretCoveDave]

Well said man.

[mike837go]

I just won't travel with the propane tanks open. 4 hours of no refrigeration is not a problem as long as the door stays closed.

[chugchug]

When Driving I keep the propane off. Period.

I have a 2 way fridge, so until now the fridge would be off as well.

Recently I have installed a small (400W) inverter and ran it through a 3 way switch to the 120 wire that feeds the fridge and the GFCI outlets. I plan to use it for powering the fridge when driving ONLY and also the coffee grinder and charge my laptop when no 120 shore power is available. The inverter draws 17A when the fridge is cycling on and less then 1A when cycling off. I hope the truck will be able to handle this extra load. Hack if it was a 3 way fridge it would probably draw a similar current.

[RPreeb]

I checked both "Yes" and "New at this, on the fence". I intended to have it on, but I could be convinced not to with a good reason. Since my TT usage is for short term camping, I like to crank up the fridge the day before we leave so it's good and cold. I'd prefer not to shut it off for 4 or 5 hours while traveling. There is only one tunnel that I'm likely to go through hauling the TT, and that's at the Continental Divide on I-70. Most of my plans avoid freeways, so it may or may not be an issue.

I'm not as sure about the hazard while fueling. The fridge is nearly 20 feet from where I'll be pumping gas, so as long as I park so that no other customer is fueling any closer, it doesn't seem like that big a risk. At the same time, it's not that hard to shut off the gas for a few minutes while filling up, so it's something that I'll keep in mind. I may just invest in a few blue ice packs and shut it off before we head out. If we plan to lunch along the way, I can always pack that in the beer cooler so I don't have to open the fridge.

[bansai]

Once we load the fridge, it stays on until I've eaten everything, rolling or not. It's a combination of me not caring about it and me not remembering to care about it.

[Bassdogs]

Does anyone have an opinion that hasn't been repeated 10 times or more? Isn't time to close this thread and move on?

Right now there is opinion being discussed on Fridge on/off, OEM tires off asap, propane gen over gas, is brand XX quieter than a Honda inverter, and best or better solar set up. Don't want to stifle discussion on anything, these included but once we have ran out of opinions or input and are simply repeating ourselves is it time to move on?

[bansai]

Didn't realize this thread was 3 years old when I replied.

Anyway, I just move on when something isn't of interest. /thread