Refrigerator (new to camping)

[Glenn Baglo]

Thanks for that info. The internet is a terrific tool for spreading misinformation so I accept the correction and won't repeat my mistake.
On the other hand, like millions of others, I will run my fridge on propane while on the road and heat my house with natural gas.
Not using that electricity though. Too many people have been electrocuted.

[penderpaul]

Originally Posted by patsublett

I have a 3 way refrigerator, can I run it while traveling

Not in British Columbia.
The Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations require that the appliance tank valves be closed when your RV is moving. Also, a quick consultation with a Gas Safety Officer at the BC Safety Authority confirmed what I have always believed, this is not a good idea. In fact, it could be very dangerous in some circumstances. No open flames at the gas pump means exactly that. Having the propane fridge running is asking for trouble and just downright irresponsible.

[steve dunham]

On days we are traveling , our first stop is to fill our truck’s fuel tank , then after leaving the gas station we start our refrigerator on propane
When our fuel tank gets close to the point that we need fuel again we find a place to camp
We have a 34 gallon fuel tank which takes us as far as we want to go in a day

[Glenn Baglo]

Originally Posted by penderpaul

Not in British Columbia.
The Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations require that the appliance tank valves be closed when your RV is moving.

Not true.

You can't read the regulations for transportation of bulk propane, gasoline and apply them to RVs.
I suggest you copy and paste the regulation that you refer to and provide the link so we all can see what it really says.

[Wayne Collins]

It is best to run on 12V while towing; as long as you have the 7 pin connector with hot lead.
To know if your wiring is up to the task, take a voltage reading at the 12V terminals at back of fridge - with the fridge off, and on.
Our 2000 16 ft showed about 10V with fridge on. The internal wiring from the converter/fuse box to the fridge was too light.
I ran a 12 gauge wire direct from battery to + terminal on fridge, with in-line fuse. That kept the voltage above 11.
Now, make sure to shut the 12V switch off if you are stopped for lunch, or more than a short while. Otherwise your TV's battery will be discharging.

[wbullivant]

An RV two or three way refrigerator uses the ammonia cycle. Propane or electricity is used to heat the ammonia generator to produce ammonia gas. While this is very useful, it also consumes a lot of energy. A modern compressor type fridge will consume about one tenth the AC or DC power of an equivalent ammonia cycle unit.

A compressor fridge would be much easier to use when driving, but could pose a problem while you are dry camping, depending on your battery pack and solar configuration.

Bill in NC, owner of home built all electric class B van camper.

[wwig]

As John V.stated you are getting into an area with a lot of differing opinions. Started using the hitch plug, wasn't satisfied with the results and now travel with propane on. Have logged many miles using this method.

[Cloud master Don]

80,000 miles running our fridge on propane. Amazingly, we are still alive.



Cloudmaster Don

[Chris from Comox]

I am a BC Guy and still have some common sense left.. Think about it.. If you have an appliance that has an open flame pilot light on all the time - like my lil fridge in my Trillium does.. There ain't no way I am driving it into a gas station with my pilot light on because I don't know about the rest of you but too many times I have seen folks "top up" their automobile gas tank and spill gas on the concrete.. I have this notion that if I can smell the gas that the gas fumes could just as well come in contact with the open flame of my pilot - thus the concern about the "BOOM".. And who will they blame - with my luck it won't be the guy that spilled the gas..

[WizWid]

Originally Posted by Chris from Comox

I am a BC Guy and still have some common sense left.. Think about it.. If you have an appliance that has an open flame pilot light on all the time - like my lil fridge in my Trillium does.. There ain't no way I am driving it into a gas station with my pilot light on because I don't know about the rest of you but too many times I have seen folks "top up" their automobile gas tank and spill gas on the concrete.. I have this notion that if I can smell the gas that the gas fumes could just as well come in contact with the open flame of my pilot - thus the concern about the "BOOM".. And who will they blame - with my luck it won't be the guy that spilled the gas..

Do you sit outside the gas station and wait 20 minutes for your catalytic converter to cool below ignition temperature too, before pushing your tow vehicle to the pumps? Just curious....

[Glenn Baglo]

Originally Posted by widgetwizard

Do you sit outside the gas station and wait 20 minutes for your catalytic converter to cool below ignition temperature too, before pushing your tow vehicle to the pumps? Just curious....

[WizWid]

Originally Posted by widgetwizard

Do you sit outside the gas station and wait 20 minutes for your catalytic converter to cool below ignition temperature too, before pushing your tow vehicle to the pumps? Just curious....

Just in case you don't - I assume you push the tow vehicle away from the pumps after gassing up to avoid those sparks from your solenoid/starter motor igniting those pesky fumes...

[Raspy]

Originally Posted by widgetwizard

Just in case you don't - I assume you push the tow vehicle away from the pumps after gassing up to avoid those sparks from your solenoid/starter motor igniting those pesky fumes...

Uh oh. Things aren't so black and white afterall. Oh my! Reality is so annoying sometimes.

Good post.

[rbryan]

Ugh. Another "its dangerous to run the fridge on propane while towing" thread. Bring on more misinformation.

Sent from my SM-N950U using Fiberglass RV mobile app

[tractors1]

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[Cloud master Don]

Just because you can smell fumes it does not necessarily follow that those fumes will ignite. Now, if your pilot light is on the ground, maybe. But mine isn't.


Cloudmaster Don

[steve dunham]

The area around an outdoor gasoline dispensing pump is considered Class 1
Div 1 up to a height of 18” above grade and 20 ft horizontally in all directions
Class 1 Div 1 is considered a highly hazardous / explosive area
Up to a height of 48” around the pump is considered Class 1 Div 2 and is less hazardous
I would not refuel my vehicle while the refrigerator is running on propane but if you are traveling the air movement would clear out any propane fumes .
I would be more leary of propane accumulating in the refrigerator compartment when parked .
If you want 100% assurance then the only solution is to remove the propane tanks .

[Wayne Collins]

Gasoline is "funny" stuff. It's a great source of energy when used right, AND a huge danger when abused.
Did you know: you can boil gasoline on an electric stove (outdoors) and it will not burn … as long as there is no spark.
To me, running your fridge on LP while traveling is a waste of propane.
The 12V system gets its energy from the gas you're burning to drive down the road anyway.
Our first trailer was a 13 ft Scamp that had had its 12V wiring burned out, so we had no choice but to run the fridge on LP while towing. It went through a tank of LP in short order. It had just one tank. So, when we ordered our 16 ft Scamp we asked for two LP tanks. But we ran on 12V. LP consumption went way down.

[Glenn Baglo]

Originally Posted by Wayne Collins

To me, running your fridge on LP while traveling is a waste of propane.

Here's the problem with that: if you've been camping and your house battery is depleted, it will still be depleted when you arrive at your next campsite. The tow vehicle is not able to run the fridge on DC and to charge the house battery at the same time.

In any event, the fridge uses very little propane.

[steve dunham]

The average RV refrigerator running 24/7 will burn one 20lb tank of propane in approx 30 days . I just had one of my propane tanks filled , cost was $12
I can’t see how running on 12 VDC could be seen as a significant cost savings
Glenn B pretty much hit the nail in the head , arriving at your campsite late in the evening with a depleted battery is a real problem and one I wish to avoid