Running 3way fridge just on 12V?

[SteveLevin]

I'd never really paid attention, since my Servel just has "elec" and "gas" but then I noticed that "elec" works (or, at least, I get the light to come on that indicates normal operation) off 12V (I don't have an inverter).

I've always used LPG for travelling and then switched to electric if we had 110... but how much draw is it on DC? I was thinking that while I might cool it overnight on gas, once I am going to be driving, etc, I could just run it on 12V and let the engine alternator keep "topping off" the batteries as we go down the road.

It's not a really big deal for me (especially since we have a really convenient place to get LPG a couple of blocks from home), but more a matter of curiosity in how long I could run the fridge on batteries directly if I wanted to.

Steve

["007"]

Only use the 12V mode on three way as you said while traveling down road.
DC will drain your batteries to fast other wise.

[srydve]

I believe batteries won't last very long running a fridge. Back when a lot of rv fridges were three way, you really only ran them on 12v. when the vehicle was running, had to switch to propane whenever you stopped for more than a short time. If you thought you only had propane and 110 are you sure you also have 12? The fridge lights and the indicators will be 12v. but without a 12v. position for cooling I would have my doubts.

[bluepill]

Don't know about Servel, but Norcold uses 12 Volts DC only for operation of the control board, interior lights, fans, and indicators. It has to use this on propane mode. It draws only 3 to 5 amps at 12 volts. If it had 12 volt heaters to run the refer section, it would be drawing 20 or 30 amps. That would kill your "House Batteries" very quickly.

[SteveLevin]

I won't swear to it actually working on 12v, so maybe it doesn't. I will go back to documents on it... like I said, it was as much curiosity as anything else.

Steve

[Ray,IN]

Dometic/Servel does/did manufacture 3-way RV refrigerators: Replacement for Servel® 3-way (short version) Eyebrow page
yours might be one.
FWIW here is a service manual:http://bryantrv.com/docs2/docs/servel.pdf