battery or propane to run fridge while driving

LewLou · 05-06-2014, 01:07 PM

We are getting ready to take our first trip in our Jayco Melbourne... we are wondering if some of you that have been traveling a lot have any ideas about which is the most cost effective or any other best way to run the refridgerator while driving with propane or battery.

DocBrown · 05-06-2014, 01:45 PM

I didn't know there were still 12v. refers out there.

I'm not sure about cost effectiveness, but I see no reason not to use propane when traveling. It really doesn't use that much. Our rule of thumb is not to use it unless its more than 5 hours or so. The fridge really doesn't get all that warm on short trips.

Jset · 05-06-2014, 02:21 PM

I thought it was weird to hear ya'll talking about using propane for your refrigerator on the road. But, I had to make sure that I was remembering right that I had mine on the entire time. So I took a pic. just to be absolutely sure. Why would they stop making 12vdc refrigerators?

Daveak · 05-06-2014, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jset

I thought it was weird to hear ya'll talking about using propane for your refrigerator on the road. But, I had to make sure that I was remembering right that I had mine on the entire time. So I took a pic. just to be absolutely sure. Why would they stop making 12vdc refrigerators?

I am pretty sure the DC wattage listed there is for the DC lighting in the refrigerator only - not for keeping it cool. I know some people who run the Fridge off an inverter while driving.

Jset · 05-06-2014, 04:33 PM

Interesting... I was wondering why it was so low. I would think that a fridge running off the tv's alternator instead of propane would be an awesome idea. Anyone know why they don't anymore?

tnchuck100 · 05-06-2014, 04:36 PM

The 12V is for the control board. It is always in use whether on shore power or propane.

12VDC cooling is typically found only in 1.5 CF refrigerators in pop-ups. They draw 10+ amps. Even those should be set to propane if stopped for more than 30 minutes.

Old Blue · 05-06-2014, 04:36 PM

I start mine on shore power but when ready to go it switches to propane and thats how we roll I have traveled from Washington to Montana and never had a problem. I know that some people have stated that there are some places wrere you have to turn off the propane and maybe some states have rules against it.

Seann45 · 05-07-2014, 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jset

I thought it was weird to hear ya'll talking about using propane for your refrigerator on the road. But, I had to make sure that I was remembering right that I had mine on the entire time. So I took a pic. just to be absolutely sure. Why would they stop making 12vdc refrigerators?

They draw a lot of power on 12V most of the ones now that are 3 way are very small

DocBrown · 05-07-2014, 09:20 AM

I don't think they are very efficient on 12v either.

ckdixon · 05-07-2014, 01:15 PM

In the owner's manual Jayco recommends turning the propane off and setting the reefer to 12v operation when traveling. Apparently there is a risk of the refrigerator's flame igniting fumes when refueling and the propane tanks causing a fire or explosion if involved in an accident. While this is probably a good idea, most people I know still run their reefer's on gas while traveling.

SouthCo · 05-07-2014, 02:34 PM

Maybe I'm wrong but I don't think mine will run just on the 12v battery while in transport to the campground. Mine only works with propane or when plugged in to shore power... So I leave it set to auto and when plugged in to shore power in runs on electric and when I unplugged to tow it automatically goes to propane...

DocBrown · 05-07-2014, 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SouthCo

Maybe I'm wrong but I don't think mine will run just on the 12v battery while in transport to the campground. Mine only works with propane or when plugged in to shore power... So I leave it set to auto and when plugged in to shore power in runs on electric and when I unplugged to tow it automatically goes to propane...

Same here. Our dealer was the one that recommended towing with the propane mode on.

reitrof · 05-08-2014, 06:53 AM

Mines the same, only electric on shore power. Use propane when on the road. Leave it on Auto and let the fridge decide.

cdrcos@gmail.com · 05-08-2014, 08:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Old Blue

I start mine on shore power but when ready to go it switches to propane and thats how we roll I have traveled from Washington to Montana and never had a problem. I know that some people have stated that there are some places wrere you have to turn off the propane and maybe some states have rules against it.

That is exactly what we have done for over 40 years in a dozen rigs (pop-ups to large fifth wheels)

- only time we had to turn it off is going through some tunnels.

cdrcos@gmail.com · 05-08-2014, 08:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DocBrown

I didn't know there were still 12v. refers out there.

I'm not sure about cost effectiveness, but I see no reason not to use propane when traveling. It really doesn't use that much. Our rule of thumb is not to use it unless its more than 5 hours or so. The fridge really doesn't get all that warm on short trips.

Also wouldn't use much propane on a short trip... just sayin'

ckdixon · 05-08-2014, 01:27 PM

I couldn't even tell you if my refrigerator has a 12v mode as I run on propane also. I was just quoting what my owner's manual says. Perhaps Jayco needs to update their manuals. I had an RV once that the refrigerator pilot wouldn't stay lit while traveling. When I brought this to the dealers attention, I was quoted from the manual that I shouldn't have the gas on when the RV was moving. Different dealers will tell you different things.

The Logans · 05-12-2014, 06:23 PM

On a long trip, we only turn the propane off where it's prohibited by law (Tunnels), If it's a short trip, like 3 or 4 hours, it holds it's temperature fine if we start out with it cold.

coondog · 05-12-2014, 07:33 PM

New to the TT world, I looked in my manual and it says that the fridge can run off the aux battery. Therefore, would it not run off the aux battery as well while in transit using the TV as the charger? Also verified that it is 12v DC drawing 3 amps.

msturtz · 05-12-2014, 11:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coondog

New to the TT world, I looked in my manual and it says that the fridge can run off the aux battery. Therefore, would it not run off the aux battery as well while in transit using the TV as the charger? Also verified that it is 12v DC drawing 3 amps.

That is only with 3 way refrigerators. I have not seen a 3 way refrigerator for a long time. They draw too much current. All modern RV refrigerators are either AC / propane or AC only run by an inverter. The latter ones are used in very high end motorhomes with massive battery banks.

VicS1950 · 05-13-2014, 04:32 AM

It can depend upon upon the refrigeration year/design. It would not be uncommon for an RV absorption refrigerator to operate on 12 volts and propane. All it needs is a heat source. You may think that you are running on 120 volts, but the reality may be that it is always powered by 12 volts fed from either the battery or the charger/inverter while on shore power.

The lower BTU output from a 12 volt heating element is why an RV refrigerator often cools more quickly on propane than it does on electric.

You are required by law to turn off the propane before entering tunnels. Most places also have laws requiring that an open flame like an RV refrigerator on propane is turned off before entering a fuel apron area. Many people ignore those laws and have had no problems over many years. No problems over many years does not mean that the dangers from that practice don't exist.

Most all safety rules are based upon experience and often are written with someone's blood

vic

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