Dometic refrigerator: Electric vs. Propane

[Peacekeeper6]

N00b here. Quick question:

My fridge has the capability of running on either 110V AC or LP gas. I would like to use the SAFEST and most efficient method (are they mutually exclusive ??).



If they are, I would like to side on safety, even if it is more inefficient.

Please advise. Thanks in advance.

[jfran304]

I'm not an expert but from my experience my Dometic stays colder on electric. I would think electric would be safer than LP gas my Dometic normally runs on electric but will automatically switch itself from one to the other if you lose the other.

Jon

[Diplomat Don]

Peacekeeper6.......The best way to run that refrigerator is turn it to automatic and let it decide. In the auto mode it runs on A/C when connected to shore power or a generator. If there's a power failure, it will switch to gas and keep things cold. When traveling, it will switch to gas.

While on electric, it won't cost you anything to run at a campground. If you leave it on gas, you're wasting propane.

[jcthorne]

Both modes are 'safe' and neither is particularly efficient in terms of energy usage. If you have electric included in your site fee, makes sense to use it rather than your propane. If you are paying for the electric, the propane will likely be cheaper although it uses so little of either that its an acedemic discussion.

Mine cools noticably faster and colder on propane than electric. Some are the other way round though.

[doglover116]

We are new to the motorhome life - my husband thinks we shouldn't run the refrigerator all the time and I think it doesn't make any difference. Does anyone have any comments pro or con?

["007"]

doglover with the recalls on both Norcold & Dometic refrigerators and possible fires, because of ruptured cooling pipes, its your call.
My 1200 is closed down between camping trips and I have never had a problem with my 8 year old fridge.

[Cat320]

One suggestion before using propane. Turn on the gas valve on the tank then light the stove. The best way to light it is with a long stick match or one of the small gas lighters used when lighting a grill. Doing this, prior to trying to use the refrig on propane, will clear out all the air in the gas line and lets the refrig start up much easier than if trying to light it first.

[wa8yxm]

Well, I suspect most efficient from an energy use standpoint is propane.. But I suspect you mean from a $$$$ point. and that depends on the cost of both gas and electric.

(Thus I'll save you my rube goldburd post about why gas heat makes more sense than electric)

However where I camp I look at the equasion liek this:

Propane: I pay for
Electric: Included in the site rental

Thus I run on electric.

Safest: Well, I suspect Electric is the winner there, Less that can go disaster on you.

BUT.. If you keep the thing cleaned and inspected on a regular basis (not easy with the stupid recall kit in place) the dangers are minimal.

[TXiceman]

Generally, the frig will cool better on propane. Temperature differential is what drives the unit and propane will get the "boiler" hotter.

As for safety, 6 of one 1/2 dozen of the other. Propane is explosive in the right concentrations and electricity can short, caus ea fire and burn things. Use which ever you want and be happy

Mount a small 12 volt computer fan in side as well as outside will help the unit cool better.

Ken

[Easyrider]

I don't think for safety that it matters either way unless you close the gas valve on your lp tank when running your fridge on electric. Otherwise you still have gas in the line up to the ignitor in the fridge and if you're going to have a gas accident I think it will happen anyway.

We start our fridge and stock it at the beginning of the camping season and leave it on and stocked untill it goes into storage for winter. In between we never shut it off except when at a gas station. We have done that with every camper we've owned, some for 15 years, and have never had any problems with the fridge. At home or at the campground it's on electric power, traveling between it's on LP.

[wa8yxm]

Regarding driving with fridge on gas:

The major danger is, of course, a refrigerator fire.. Thiese are fairly common (Well not all that common) but one of the more common causes of motor home fires, Engines are the otehr common cause.

Thus insurance companies recommend not running with gas on... But there is something else.

Let's take the case of a rig moving down the freeway with a fridge on fire.. You are driving a 200,000 motor home, brand new, and behind it, you see the flames, Do you pull up right next to it on the flaming side and let it set your house afire? NO, You steer clear, perhaps on the other side so you can get the driver's attention but the fact is you steer clear.. His house it totaled, yours is not, Simple.

Page 2: He runs w/out gas.. You follow him to the FMCA rally where you are packed in like sardines in a can, you get out, hook up your Gen-turi exhaust extension so you don't blow toxic gas into his motor home and head for the activities. He turns his gas on and sets the fridge to gas.. Remember it's going to burn.. Now by the time the Fire Dept makes a house call not only is HIS rig toast, but your 200,000 dollar home plus all the stuff you have in side it and quite possibly the rigs either side of the two of you as well.

Which makes more sense

I drive with fridge on Gas, park on electric.

[Dagwood]

Peacekeeper6 we travel with our fridge on propane but when we pull into gas station it gets turned off. It is never a good idea to have an open flame around the gas pumps. It might b e a good idea to get check your fridge for the recall status. The repairs are free I think. I checked mine and the repairman has the kit on order. Good luck and happy travels.

[Bob and Inga]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dagwood Peacekeeper6 we travel with our fridge on propane but when we pull into gas station it gets turned off. It is never a good idea to have an open flame around the gas pumps. It might b e a good idea to get check your fridge for the recall status. The repairs are free I think. I checked mine and the repairman has the kit on order. Good luck and happy travels.

I was looking for that gas station warning.

It is also a good idea to open the outside vent / access cover once a month or so and check for leaks. If it is slide mounted, then checking the top vent once or twice a year is also a good idea. Look for any browning (heat) in the nearby slide walls and above (that was one of the recalls). The bottom check only takes a minute and I usually do it while back flushing the black tank. The leaks usually precedes the fire.

I also like to make sure that it runs on both gas and electric at least once a month. That is good to prevent nesting (bugs and what not) and I do the same with the water heater.

Bob

[1ciderdog]

Years ago when we had a 1977 Vogue motorhome it had a gas/electric refrigerator. My wife felt it cooled better on propane and also found when she changed it to electric she had to change the cooling settings. Since then on four motorhomes and one 5th wheel she has hesitated to use the electric option because of the difference so my question is: Are the new refrigerators set up so that the electric runs and cools on the same settings as when on propane?
Thanks
Bob Gilson