Fridge question

[LindaM]

We have a 26ft Airstream Land Yacht Motor Home which has a Dometic refrigerator/freezer Model # RM3862. It either runs on LP Gas or 110 Volt. We are new at RV'ing and are about to head out on an extended trip. We're not sure how the refrigertor/freezer should be run while the vehicle is on the road for extended periods of time. Do we have the generator running while we're driving? We know it would be dangerous to run it on LP Gas while driving. Do we run it on the generator for a few hours and then shut it down and not open the doors until we bed down for the night and plug into 110? We will be carrying a lot of food and driving for long periods each day. How do we run our fridge?

[Mike Canter]

Hi Linda, welcome to the forum. Those refrigerators are designed to run off of LP gas while driving so you food will stay cold. When you get to a campsite and have 110 volts then switch it over. They do not use much gas. It is not dangerous because there is a blowout protection device on the fridge so if for some reason the small flame goes out it will attempt a relight several times and if that fails then it will shutdown and will give you a CHECK warning light. When that happens you hit the rest button and it will attempt a relight. About the only time I have ever seen one blow out is in real high crosswinds if they are hitting the side of the MH the fridge is on. For safety you should always shut the fridge off while fueling up the MH and while refilling your propane tank. Let us know if you have anymore questions,

[docj]

This is an often discussed and debated question. Many people do permit the refrigerators to run on propane; the data to show that they can create a fire danger is pretty much anecdotal. If you have a gasoline-powered vehicle you definitely need to have the refrigerator turned off when you refuel; the risk is still there with diesel fuel but is less. Running your generator will eliminate the issue and does enable you to run the A/C while you are driving. We do this a lot in the summer simply because it is not possible to keep the coach cool on hot days using just the dash A/C.

[FormerBoater]

Hi Linda and welcome to the forum. First you should check to see if your Dometic was subject to a recall and whether ther recall work was performed. Just do a search on Dometic recall, enter your serial number for your unit and you will see if work needs to be performed.

Once that is in the rear view mirror, you can run your unit on either propane or 110 while you are rolling down the road. It is not dangerous to run on propane as these units were designed to run on propane while in motion.

Most Dometic 110/propane models will default to running on the 110 if power is available. In other words if you are running your generator, the unit will run on electric. Genny off, it will switch to propane automatically.

And as others have said, always turn the Dometic OFF while fueling. Even if you are at the Diesel pumps, there are plenty of gasoline fumes in the air at a Flying J or other stations.

Dave
1998 American Eagle 40EVS

[Gary RVRoamer]

You can run it on propane, as the others have already said. It is also ok to run the generator and let electric power the fridge - fuel consumption is still minimal. And you may wish to use the house a/c to cool the front of the coach, so the genset enables that as well. Running one a/c and the fridge, your generator will consume about 0.5 gal/hr. Less if it is a diesel.

[Cat320]

Quote:

Originally Posted by FormerBoater you can run your unit on either propane or 110 while you are rolling down the road. It is not dangerous to run on propane as these units were designed to run on propane while in motion.

Exactly...the propane is there to operate the refrig while traveling, it is not a safety hazard. Many small trailers do not have generators and must use propane.

[akadeadeye]

Ours runs on LP while traveling. This is how they were designed to work. Except for keeping the coach cool in very hot weather, our generator stays off while traveling. In camp the frig is run on 110 if there are hook-ups, LP if not. Of course, if there is no 110 to hook up to, then you will eventually need the generator for battery re-charge so the frig will switch over when the gen comes on, but then back to LP.

Always turn off the frig when fueling or filling LP tank. I do not subscribe to the suggestion by some of turning off the frig while traveling. It was designed to run on LP on the road. Besides, I like cold beer when I get there.

Don

[Ray,IN]

Hello!
Your question has been answered, and I agree. If you do not have the owners manual, you may download it and manuals for your other appliances and accessories here.

[wa8yxm]

I will address the fire hazard.. First: If it is going to catch fire, it is going to catch fire,, Now proper and regular maintenance may delay this, and in fact may even prevent it, but if it's going to happen, it will happen. Proper maintenance is the best thing I can recommend.

But let's say yours *IS* going to catch fire.

now, you are going down the freeway 55mph, on your way to the Sardine Can Rally (more on this latter) and your fridge catches fire.. Just behind you is Joe and Sally, in thier 200,000 dollar plus motor home.. Are they going to pull up on your flaming side and hang there till their house is fully involved? I kind of think not.

No, they MIGHT pull up on the non-burning side and try to get your attention, Or just keep clear. Your rig is toast, but hey, That is normal in an RV fire.

-OR- You listen to the "oh no don't ever" folks

Now you pull in to the rally, and Joe and Sally right beind you are parked next to you in the RV parking lot where they pack 'em in like sardines in a can so close you can't even extend you awning.. you are now parked so FRIDGE ON.. You, your spouse, Joe and Sally all hop on the tram and go to the rally.

By the time the Fire dept gets there your irg is toast (Always is in an RV fire so do not even worry about it) Joe and Sally are homeless, and the rigs eitehr side of you are damaged.

[richardcoxid]

This is the age old question that will never be settled! Leave it on while driving or turn it off!
Would you rather have Propane or Ptomane?

["007"]

If you have let it cool down a full day before your trip and fill it with cold groceries from your house fridge you will be able to travel 6 hours with out opening the doors if you didn't want to use your LP gas or Gen.
Like others I have it on LP Gas and AUTO control so when your hook up at camp ground it will switch to electric operation.
Once you get fridge cooled down on gas place it into electric mode to make sure it works on electric mode.

[hamguy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by LindaM We have a 26ft Airstream Land Yacht Motor Home which has a Dometic refrigerator/freezer Model # RM3862. It either runs on LP Gas or 110 Volt. We are new at RV'ing and are about to head out on an extended trip. We're not sure how the refrigertor/freezer should be run while the vehicle is on the road for extended periods of time. Do we have the generator running while we're driving? We know it would be dangerous to run it on LP Gas while driving. Do we run it on the generator for a few hours and then shut it down and not open the doors until we bed down for the night and plug into 110? We will be carrying a lot of food and driving for long periods each day. How do we run our fridge?

I have run my refer on gas while driving for 82000 miles. Now this is purely anecdotal but I suspect most reading IRV2 posts do likewise.

[wildtoad]

Quote:

Originally Posted by docj Running your generator will eliminate the issue and does enable you to run the A/C while you are driving.

It would be wise to shut down the gen when refueling too. Most if not all stations have signs to turn off your engine while fueling. I suspect this applies to generators as well.