Keeping Refrigerator Cold When Towing

[rockaw]

Originally Posted by Camper_bob

Your fridge can run in one of two conditions: 12V AND propane, OR shore power. If you have only 12V power available (such as when towing), your fridge needs propane to stay cold; the 12V runs the circuitry, burning propane cools the unit, and the TV charge on the battery should be able to keep up with that demand. The cooling process of the fridge does not run directly on 12V.

Camper Bob, you sure on your power sources? my 28RLS runs on Shore Power or both shore power and 12V/propane (or off position). If I run on Shore power only, If I loose 110, I lose power to fridge. If I run on 110/12v then when I disconnect shore power it automatically switches to 12V and propane. The unit needs 12v to ignite the initial propane.

[loriemoms]

I am just lazy and cheap and don't want to waste propane on a fridge.

I also do the freeze water bottles and turn on fridge a day before leaving. We freeze meats and such and put them in the camper freezer and fill up the fridge with tons of super frozen water bottles. We haven't really traveled more then a day and everything stayed great..meats still frozen. If we travel a few days I just fill the fridgr with frozen bottles so it stays cold and go shopping once we arrive..

[RogerR]

[QUOTE=loriemoms;727651]I am just lazy and cheap and don't want to waste propane on a fridge.

A propane rv frig uses 1,000 to 2,400 btus of propane an hour when actually cooling and a tiny amount on pilot light.
A 20 pounder of LP holds 4.7 gallons of LP with about 91,000 btus per gallon.

Based on that your RV frig should run 200 to 400 hours if you left the door open in hot weather. I used mine for over 6 weeks of cooling, a few days of furnace at night in cool weather and cooking. And still was 1/3 full when I took it in.

Just not worth the effort to worry about!

[Bullitt6283]

Originally Posted by Camper_bob

Your fridge can run in one of two conditions: 12V AND propane, OR shore power. If you have only 12V power available (such as when towing), your fridge needs propane to stay cold; the 12V runs the circuitry, burning propane cools the unit, and the TV charge on the battery should be able to keep up with that demand. The cooling process of the fridge does not run directly on 12V.

Originally Posted by rockaw

Camper Bob, you sure on your power sources? my 28RLS runs on Shore Power or both shore power and 12V/propane (or off position). If I run on Shore power only, If I loose 110, I lose power to fridge. If I run on 110/12v then when I disconnect shore power it automatically switches to 12V and propane. The unit needs 12v to ignite the initial propane.

To put a finer point on it, the electronic controls that run the fridge are always powered by 12 volts DC from the coach battery.
The heat source that facilitates the refrigeration comes from either a propane flame or a 120 volt heating element.
The DC controls select which heat source to use, with 120 volts AC being the priority, if the automatic mode is selected.
.

[Tommyjay]

Our new Norcold (hot-nor cold) in the 212BQW relights itself while traveling if the pilot goes out keeping everything cool and crispy, so we keep the propane on while traveling.

However, in theory, if the propane doesnt light, the Chinese made circuit board will make sure whatever passes as the thermocouple/propane interrupter stays shut so no propane is unnecessarily released . Like others have stated, keep 4 to 6 plastic water bottles, partially drained, in the freezer for added cooling security.

[Cheekjo]

As a safety professional I recommend not driving with your propane on. There are too many reasons to list here. We freeze water bottles and keep in the door. Put a refrigerator fan on top shelf (they are cheap and do work). During a day drive you will only loose 4-6 degrees. When I had a TT my refer ran on 12 volts while driving. You can purchase an inverter that can run off you tow vehicle. My motor home also has a three-way refrigerator but could run the generator while driving

[OTTERCOMET]

I normally travel with the fridge running on propane but try to remember to shut it off before refueling. There have been times when I failed to follow my own guidelines without adverse effects. All the same, an open flame close to a fuel island is not best practice.

[EmptyNest]

I travel with my refrigerator running. I'm comfortable with the slight added risk. Here's what I think I know.
20lb propane tanks have an excess flow valve. This is a safety feature to limit the flow if a hose is cut or broken.
No state prohibits traveling with a propane appliance ON. However it is prohibited in some tunnels and ferries.
The Auto Insurance Specialists Inc. has this to say:
"If you elect to travel with the refrigerator operating on propane, you must turn it-and all appliances-off prior to entering a fuel stop. Most propane tanks can only be filled to 80 percent capacity to allow expansion of the gas in the tank, and prevent the pressure relief valve from allowing gas to escape. When the main gas valve on the tank is turned on, it is critical that you fully open it until it locks to enable the excess flow valve to operate."

They go on to make the point that the appliance must be off at a fuel stop otherwise if the gas is OFF and the appliance is ON, the auto ignition will be a source of possible ignition. So go inside and turn the appliance OFF.

[Les7h]

There is a risk of falling in the shower but I still shower - 40+ years of traveling with the fridge on propane without a problem and it uses such a small amount of propane that trying to conserve it is not noticeable Les

[bankr63]

Originally Posted by ArthurJohnston

Several years ago, a friend who kept her propane refrigerator on while traveling also kept her show dogs in the trailer. Just prior to pulling into her home driveway the trailer caught fire and killed her 4 dogs.

Gotta wonder if the dogs were crated. If even one of the dogs were loose it could have hit a burner control on the stove. The stupid thing here is travelling with the dogs in the trailer, not travelling with the propane on. Dogs belong in the Tow Vehicle with the humans.

[Bullitt6283]

Originally Posted by ArthurJohnston

Several years ago, a friend who kept her propane refrigerator on while traveling also kept her show dogs in the trailer. Just prior to pulling into her home driveway the trailer caught fire and killed her 4 dogs.

What was the cause of the fire?
.

[Sunflake]

Originally Posted by Mustang65

That is why I LOVE SOLAR, turn on the inverter, make sure the fridge is in 110VAC mode and drive on.

Also, what if the RV fridge manufactures incorporate GPS modules embedded in their circuit boards in the 2020 models, with pressure sensors , that tell the LP line to turn off when it senses movement, or it is unlevel and to conform to Federal rules and regulations. Don't worry that will probably happen after they start making us go through the STATE weight scales on the interstates and verify the TT/TV weight ratings against the scale weights. I just had to add this:-)

Do what ever you feel at ease doing, it is not illegal until you are caught or you blow everyone up around you in a gas station (another can of worms). Just do not go through tunnels with it on, wait they could incorporate Longitude/Latitudes in the GPS fridge circuit that turns them off automatically in tunnels and gas stations. What a novel idea! Then we would not have to worry about it, and everyone would be happy.
Don
My Registry

RVing with SOLAR

Is this a Jayco conspiracy theory??

[Noblewk]

#1 Reason Towed RVs catch fire on the road is the Refrigerator. #1 Reason for a Class A, B or C catching fire while on the road is Engine malfunction followed by Refrigeration. This was listed on a insurance company study I read years ago. Just because you haven’t experienced it doesn’t mean it doesn’t happen, how many here have been on the side of the road with thier RV or Coach going up in flames?

[Mustang65]

Originally Posted by Mustang65

That is why I LOVE SOLAR, turn on the inverter, make sure the fridge is in 110VAC mode and drive on.

Also, what if the RV fridge manufactures incorporate GPS modules embedded in their circuit boards in the 2020 models, with pressure sensors , that tell the LP line to turn off when it senses movement, or it is unlevel and to conform to Federal rules and regulations. Don't worry that will probably happen after they start making us go through the STATE weight scales on the interstates and verify the TT/TV weight ratings against the scale weights. I just had to add this:-)

Do what ever you feel at ease doing, it is not illegal until you are caught or you blow everyone up around you in a gas station (another can of worms). Just do not go through tunnels with it on, wait they could incorporate Longitude/Latitudes in the GPS fridge circuit that turns them off automatically in tunnels and gas stations. What a novel idea! Then we would not have to worry about it, and everyone would be happy.
Don
My Registry

RVing with SOLAR

Originally Posted by Sunflake

Is this a Jayco conspiracy theory??

No, but add this to the above things. The next generation (now being tested) is where cars communicate with each other.. IE you want to pass up a car but in your blind spot is a car in that lane. The car in that lane tells your car its location and your car will tell you on your car's radio that there is a car in that lane, and the steering will not allow you to make that move (ok maybe a lot of resistance in turning the steering wheel)... then a state trooper car is passing you up and your RV/TT informs the state trooper's car computer that the Jayco he is passing has its fridge running on LP gas and that is a violation of local code 104392, the trooper's car computer automatically turns on the state troopers lights and siren with the outside speaker blaring "will the driver of the JAYCO RV kindly pull over..." and of course his car sends that message to your car's radio so you can hear it.

Orrrrrr, the state trooper pulls into a gas station and the Jayco tells the trooper car that the Jayco's fridge is running on LP gas.... violation of local code 32837326.4

Ahhh the future will be so much fun.

BIG BROTHER is going to be watching even closer. Do I care, no, I actually would like to see them expedite this technology. It may make the road safer. Optical cameras that look at the tires and let you know when they are in need of changing and will not allow the car to do over 40MPH with bald tires, tire heat, pressure or with GPS will not allow the car to access the interstate. Automatically turn off the LP when in a gas station (V&H coordinates) and turn it back on once you are on the road again, if you select that option. Limit your speed based on the type of tires you have. Load sensors in the spring assembly to inform you of the weight, weight sensor in the tow hitch to let you know your weight, and limit your speed based on weight and sway, and get your TV capacities, maybe even limit the speed of an overweight TT/RV.

But then, there are a lot more things to go wrong with the TT/RV equipped like that and today they can't even upgrade a black water tank sensor to give a good level reading. Nope, not worried at all.
Just my thoughts,
Don
My Registry

RVing with SOLAR

[rkresge]

This thread has gone crazy. Outta here.

[Joetker]

It is illegal to travel with propane on. Propane should be cleared from lines while towing. Propane on getting gas or if you crash is even more dangerous!

I was ignorant until I read the forums on refrigerator types.

[Route 66 Traveler]

Originally Posted by Joetker

It is illegal to travel with propane on.

Not in any of the any States I have traveled. Driving with your TV full of gas must give you nightmares.

[EvilDoer]

Originally Posted by Route 66 Traveler

Not in any of the any States I have travelled. Driving with your TV full of gas must give you nightmares.

If your TV has an open flame you will have nightmares.

[Kim Gass]

Originally Posted by Joetker

It is illegal to travel with propane on. Propane should be cleared from lines while towing. Propane on getting gas or if you crash is even more dangerous!

I was ignorant until I read the forums on refrigerator types.

Dont ride public transit then
Buses in our area are propane fueled

[Bullitt6283]

Well now my whole camping experience has been ruined.

I cannot sleep in the camper anymore when boondocking with that flame just waiting to ignite the construction debris, insulation crumbs, and sawdust that fell down behind the fridge when I hit those potholes.




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