Running the Fridge off the Genny vs Propane While Driving.

[Jim.B1]

We have traditionally travelled with our fridge running on propane while driving.
During cold weather travels we also drive with the propane furnace on.
I would be interested to hear if there are any pros or cons in using the generator to run the fridge instead of propane?
I'm not sure how the cost of gas versus propane is on an hourly basis for a fridge and 5.5 kw genny.
Thanks in advance.

[pasdad1]

More cost effective to run on propane, unless you need the generator to run other things like air conditioning anyway.

Generator also needs to be exercised once a month, but the fridge is not enough of a load for this purpose.

[TonyMac]

When I drive my rig, guzzling fuel at about 8.5mpg/35 cents per mile/35 cents per minute/.6 cents per second, the cost of running the fridge is essentially nothing, regardless of the energy source chosen. Imaging holding you hand up and dropping a penny every other second or so the whole time you at driving. There will be a pile of pennies on the floor.


My fridge is set to AUTO. If I am running the genset, the fridge runs on AC. If not, it runs on propane. It will not appreciably affect the pile of pennies, one way or the otras.

[Barbaraok]

Summer/fall driving as we get near the desert areas (or say Seattle when it is 100F!) we have the generator going for the A/C so the fridge is on. Never really worry about the penny difference.

[Old-Biscuit]

Originally Posted by TonyMac

When I drive my rig, guzzling fuel at about 8.5mpg/35 cents per mile/35 cents per minute/.6 cents per second, the cost of running the fridge is essentially nothing, regardless of the energy source chosen. Imaging holding you hand up and dropping a penny every other second or so the whole time you at driving. There will be a pile of pennies on the floor.


My fridge is set to AUTO. If I am running the genset, the fridge runs on AC. If not, it runs on propane. It will not appreciably affect the pile of pennies, one way or the otras.

1 penny every other second=30 pennies a minute=1800 pennies an hour=9000 pennies in 5 hours=$90

[Wbago97]

If only running the fridge, then it's not efficient to run a generator at such a low load.
You can always consider an inverter as a third option to run off the alternator and batteries.

[TonyMac]

Originally Posted by Old-Biscuit

1 penny every other second=30 pennies a minute=1800 pennies an hour=9000 pennies in 5 hours=$90

...and...

[Bahamaniac]

Realistically the fridge doesn't put enough load off the generator to justify. But it's your rig, you can do it either way.

[DirtRider]

Occasionally I've had trouble with the fridge kicking off while driving when running on propane. In those instances, I flip the inverter on, and simply run the fridge off the main engine. Why run the generator just for the fridge?

[Redapple]

Originally Posted by TonyMac

When I drive my rig, guzzling fuel at about 8.5mpg/35 cents per mile/35 cents per minute/.6 cents per second, the cost of running the fridge is essentially nothing, regardless of the energy source chosen. Imaging holding you hand up and dropping a penny every other second or so the whole time you at driving. There will be a pile of pennies on the floor.


My fridge is set to AUTO. If I am running the genset, the fridge runs on AC. If not, it runs on propane. It will not appreciably affect the pile of pennies, one way or the otras.

Ditto

[Jim.B1]

Thanks to everyone for your comments.
All good points.
I do have a 1200 watt inverter on board and will consider using it too.
Cheers
Jim

[Beau388]

Originally Posted by Jim.B1

Thanks to everyone for your comments.
All good points.
I do have a 1200 watt inverter on board and will consider using it too.
Cheers
Jim

Ours RV fridge works fine on the inverter. Only when the ambient temp gets above 100 F degrees do I switch to propane to keep the ice cream solid.

[NXR]

Originally Posted by Beau388

Ours RV fridge works fine on the inverter. Only when the ambient temp gets above 100 F degrees do I switch to propane to keep the ice cream solid.

I've read this often yet I do not understand it. Whether it's the electric heaters boiling the ammonia/hydrogen mix or the propane burner doing it, boiling is boiling. It should not matter what the heat source is. What am I missing?

Ray

[FatChance]

Running the refrigerator on propane while traveling could easily cause a fiery catastrophe in the event of an accident.