Community Forums

JAC34 · 01-18-2023, 07:56 PM

Recently picked up my Esteem 31F and still trying to figure it all out.

It has a 1000w inverter onboard and I plan on doing a lot of boondocking.

Wondering the best way to run the refrigerator while in transit? It has an auto button that will allow the unit to auto select the propane or electric, but just wondering the best mode to use while in motion?

If the inverter is on, can it handle the load or is it better to pull from the propane?I know some frown upon using propane while in transit, but is it OK to do in case the inverter can't supply enough juice?

BillJinOR · 01-18-2023, 08:20 PM

I doubt the inverter wired to power the refrigerator on a gas refrigerator Normally generator or shore power only. Propane gas refrigerators use about a 400 watt or so heating element in electric mode. Very high usage for a refrigerator.
So your options are run the generator while traveling or just use propane like most do. Unless your fueling etc. you can always just turn it off if your in the all propane off while traveling group. It will hold the temp for several hours.

longfella · 01-18-2023, 08:56 PM

In our 2023 30Z, we run propane when traveling and not hooked up to shore power or power at our house. I just leave it in “Auto” and let it do its thing…

I don’t believe the electronic management system allows the fridge to run on electric while in transit. I usually see the plug symbol on the fridge go to the propane symbol once we unplug (even with the inverter on)

lonfu · 01-19-2023, 05:39 AM

just run it on propane.

K7JV · 01-19-2023, 07:24 AM

Fifteen years experience in a 42' class A and now two years in our Esteem 27U, when we "load" our stuff to "head out", I press the power button in the refrigerator. It toggles thru the two options, LP and ELEC and settles on LP when it determines that AC power is not available. The next time I touch the button is when we unload it to return it to storage.

The Norcold refrigerators take care of themselves beautifully, and you don't have to fuss with them. Just turn them on and forget it. Its preference is AC. If AC is NOT available it switches over and runs on LP. If you are running your generator while going down the highway it will like that, and it will switch over and run on AC. If you don't run your generator that day on the road it will run on LP.

Zero worries, great system. Don't over-think it. Just enjoy your new Esteem!!

Jameson223 · 01-19-2023, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by K7JV

Fifteen years experience in a 42' class A and now two years in our Esteem 27U, when we "load" our stuff to "head out", I press the power button in the refrigerator. It toggles thru the two options, LP and ELEC and settles on LP when it determines that AC power is not available. The next time I touch the button is when we unload it to return it to storage.

The Norcold refrigerators take care of themselves beautifully, and you don't have to fuss with them. Just turn them on and forget it. Its preference is AC. If AC is NOT available it switches over and runs on LP. If you are running your generator while going down the highway it will like that, and it will switch over and run on AC. If you don't run your generator that day on the road it will run on LP.

Zero worries, great system. Don't over-think it. Just enjoy your new Esteem!!

Agreed. Leave it on auto. This is what I do as well.

A little off topic, but an added bonus of leaving it on auto all the time is that it works great during power outages, too. We've had a few recently, and it's very nice when the fridge automatically kicks over to propane and then back to electric as soon as power is restored. Certainly beats being woken up at 2AM to the annoying beeping it does when it loses power.

ArtJoyce · 01-19-2023, 10:53 AM

Since the 80's we have run our fridge on propane when we can when traveling. The currently camper we set to auto which changes to propane when we discounts from shore power.

JAC34 · 01-19-2023, 12:02 PM

Super helpful!! Thanks all, rookie here learning quickly!

777 Driver · 01-19-2023, 02:48 PM

On a prior coach with a Norcold 1200, there were two outlets for the refrigerator. One was powered from the inverter and was used to power the ice maker. The other was on a non-inverted circuit and was used to power the electric heating element of the gas absorption refrigeration element.

In AUTO mode, whenever NOT connected to shore power OR generator, the Norcold would automatically switch to LP mode.

Although I have no direct knowledge of the OP's system, I'd expect that his operates similarly.

Take care,
Stu

jsincl · 01-19-2023, 07:05 PM

maybe I am an outlier: my fridge runs on electric in auto mode without starting the generator when underway and without switching to propane.

twinboat · 01-19-2023, 07:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jsincl

maybe I am an outlier: my fridge runs on electric in auto mode without starting the generator when underway and without switching to propane.

If its running on 120 volt inverter power underway, it will continue to run on inverter power while parked without shore or generator power.
After a few hours, you will have discharged batteries.
Once the inverter drains the batteries and faults out, it will then switch to gas.

yeloduster · 01-20-2023, 07:37 AM

I got my first RV in 1970. I lit the propane fridge with a match. I always lit the fridge the day before we left and the next morning it was ready to load the food. I left it on all the time we were away from home and only turned it off to fuel the truck or store the RV. It NEVER blew out when under way and always kept the beer cold!

Upgrade to now. My RV has an electric/propane refrigerator with an auto switch function. While on the road I would have to run the generator for the refrigerator to run on electric. I don't have inverter power to the refrigerator. So, I treat this refrigerator the same way I treated the 1st one 50 years ago. I turn it on using propane before I leave and turn it off when I get home and store the RV.

I tried the electric mode once to see if it worked!