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08-31-2016, 12:00 PM
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#1
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Member
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 65
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Propane use to cool down refrigerator...
Wanted to ask folks about using the propane on my 5th wheel to cool the freezer and refrigerator before using my trailer. I am not able to bring my trailer to my house prior to leave on trips. That being said, I wanted to see if there would be any issues with me using my propane to do this about 24hrs prior to use. My only concern is the fact that I have to leave the trailer batteries on for that amount of time. Will this be OK? Didn't want to run the batts down etc. Please advise.
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2014 Dodge Ram 2500 Extended Cab w/ Ram box
2017 Grand Design Momentum 348M
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08-31-2016, 12:03 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: High up in Arizona
Posts: 2,050
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tillerman7
Wanted to ask folks about using the propane on my 5th wheel to cool the freezer and refrigerator before using my trailer. I am not able to bring my trailer to my house prior to leave on trips. That being said, I wanted to see if there would be any issues with me using my propane to do this about 24hrs prior to use. My only concern is the fact that I have to leave the trailer batteries on for that amount of time. Will this be OK? Didn't want to run the batts down etc. Please advise.
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Doing this should be no different than the way you use it while camping. The refrigerator uses very little battery and propane and it is designed to operate this way.
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2019 Allegro Bus 37AP towing a Jeep JK Rubicon Wrangler
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08-31-2016, 12:05 PM
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#3
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Member
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 65
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 530ktm
Doing this should be no different than the way you use it while camping. The refrigerator uses very little battery and propane and it is designed to operate this way.
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The reason I ask is because I do not use (of haven't used) propane when camping. Thus far I have been in full hookup locations and use electricity. Just didn't want the batteries to die on me.
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2014 Dodge Ram 2500 Extended Cab w/ Ram box
2017 Grand Design Momentum 348M
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08-31-2016, 01:11 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Fleetwood Owners Club Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: northern IL
Posts: 2,557
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Guess it all depends on your batteries state of charge. Are they completely charged? If they are it should be no problem for a 24hr stint.
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2014 Fleetwood Bounder 35k
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08-31-2016, 02:08 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: High up in Arizona
Posts: 2,050
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tillerman7
The reason I ask is because I do not use (of haven't used) propane when camping. Thus far I have been in full hookup locations and use electricity. Just didn't want the batteries to die on me.
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I suggest you check your battery condition and make sure they are still good and have a full charge. Not sure what kind of batteries you have nor how many but even a good single 12 volt should be no problem for a couple of days. Also, you may want to use your propane once in a while just to make sure there are no spider webs or other obstructions in there that will affect the flame and the way it cools.
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2019 Allegro Bus 37AP towing a Jeep JK Rubicon Wrangler
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08-31-2016, 07:13 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Winnebago Owners Club Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Chicagoland
Posts: 2,750
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Also check to be sure everything is turned off that could be a battery drain. And don't forget the amplifier for the TV antenna, that one is easy to miss. On our previous TT and our current MH, it is a button on the panel where the TV coax cable attaches.
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Burns & Diane
2005 Winnebago Aspect 26A/2012 Subaru Impreza toad
Illinois! - Where the politicians make the license plates......
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08-31-2016, 07:21 PM
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#7
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Member
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 38
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We do it all the time with no problems. I have found it takes very little time to cool down using propane (much more efficient than electricity).
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08-31-2016, 07:28 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Country Coach Owners Club Solo Rvers Club iRV2 No Limits Club
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Vancouver, WA
Posts: 37,725
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Quote:
Originally Posted by stallsmi
We do it all the time with no problems. I have found it takes very little time to cool down using propane (much more efficient than electricity).
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Same on our '02 DSDP, but we had four deep cycle house batteries too.
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2009 45' Magna 630 w/Cummins ISX 650 HP/1950 Lbs Ft, HWH Active Air
Charter Good Sam Lifetime Member, FMCA,
RV'ing since 1957, NRA Benefactor Life, towing '21 Jeep JLU Rubicon Ecodiesel
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09-01-2016, 07:33 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Official iRV2 Sponsor
Overland Owners Club
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 730
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If your batteries go down in a 24 hour period, it won't be from the refrigerator operating on propane. Something else would have to be using electricity more than the fridge. Now, if it does happen and they are drained in a 24 hour period, then your batteries were already ruined, and you simply didn't know it because you were always plugged in...
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Don & Anita Sweger
98 Overland Larado 4141SO
41' 325hp Cummins C8.3 Nicknamed "Lola"
Owners of: www.tvformyrv.com
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09-01-2016, 08:27 PM
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#10
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Community Moderator
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Central, Arkansas
Posts: 11,223
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Just make sure the trailer is relatively level. Propane use is minimal and battery usage isn't even noticable.
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2004 Beaver Monterey Laguna IV
Cummins ISC 350HP Allison 3000 6 speed
2020 Chevy Equinox Premier 2.0t 9 speed AWD
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09-01-2016, 09:06 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: North America somewhere
Posts: 30,655
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On the back of your frig is a data plate that shows 12V amp draw while the frig is on. I once calculated battery longevity for our 5er, which turned out to be almost 30 days with 2 RV/Marine deep-cycle batteries. That takes into account one should not deplete batteries over 50% if you want them to last a long time.
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2000 Winnebago Ultimate Freedom USQ40JD , ISC 8.3 Cummins 350, Spartan MM Chassis. USA IN 1SG 11B5MX,Infantry retired;Good Sam Life member,FMCA. " My fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country. John F. Kennedy
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09-02-2016, 10:17 AM
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#12
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Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: rural SC
Posts: 4
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same boat
Just make sure the gas is really working, just went through the routine of getting the gas turned on properly if You have the flow restriction (green) hoses on twin tanks. It will flow a small amount but not enough to operate if not done right. Cost me some head scratching!
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USN, ret, ret mech. eng. (waterworks)
19FBPR Bullet ultralight
'15 Z71, short wheelbase with tow
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09-02-2016, 10:35 AM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 26,689
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Quote:
Originally Posted by samck
Just make sure the gas is really working, just went through the routine of getting the gas turned on properly if You have the flow restriction (green) hoses on twin tanks. It will flow a small amount but not enough to operate if not done right. Cost me some head scratching!
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It is called 'excess flow device'
It is a ball bearing inside the ACME Nut (Green...but could be Black or Red depending on FLOW RATING)
When you OPEN the propane service valve do it slowly.
This allows for downstream pressure to build/equalize with the upstream pressure...... ball bearing re-centers when pressure is equalized
IF you open valve quickly the ball bearing gets pushed towards output side of hose and limits flow.
Close service valve wait 1 minute then SLOWLY open it back up.
Ball bearing should then re-center allowing FULL flow.
Typical RV absorption fridge that uses 12V DC for controls will draw less than 2 amps while on propane
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09-03-2016, 07:31 AM
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#14
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Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: rural SC
Posts: 4
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Sorry didn't mean to hijack the frig. thread with gas. Thanks for the info on the LP hoses, had never dealt with dual tanks and one was empty. I had one burner on the stove working so assumed gas was on. It wasn't enough to work the frig. Have this kind of hose on grills and cookers but no double tank regulators. A newbe that hasn't read enough yet apparently! Working hard to correct that. I will make sure I have full gas flow after restarting from bottle changes though.
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USN, ret, ret mech. eng. (waterworks)
19FBPR Bullet ultralight
'15 Z71, short wheelbase with tow
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