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09-11-2015, 08:07 PM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 4
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newbie question about fridge
Hi all, first post - woohoo!
Our new (to us) 2008 Funfinder X 16' trailer has the usual Dometic fridge, 2-way (AC or propane). Is it possible or practical (or even sensible) to add 12V heater to this ?
Why, you may ask. Truth - I'm not sure. Can I run on propane while in motion? I'd rather run on 12V & save the gas for while parked...
Have tried to find fuel consumption numbers for these fridges - no luck...
Or do we just have to get a new 3-way fridge... scary price...
Haven't had time (impatient) to put details on profile yet, we are a pushing 70 couple who are looking forward to some boondocking...
Cheers, Lorne & Joanie
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09-11-2015, 08:33 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Holiday Rambler Owners Club
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Palmer, AK
Posts: 255
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Quote:
Originally Posted by blad61
Hi all, first post - woohoo!
Our new (to us) 2008 Funfinder X 16' trailer has the usual Dometic fridge, 2-way (AC or propane). Is it possible or practical (or even sensible) to add 12V heater to this ?
Why, you may ask. Truth - I'm not sure. Can I run on propane while in motion? I'd rather run on 12V & save the gas for while parked...
Have tried to find fuel consumption numbers for these fridges - no luck...
Or do we just have to get a new 3-way fridge... scary price...
Haven't had time (impatient) to put details on profile yet, we are a pushing 70 couple who are looking forward to some boondocking...
Cheers, Lorne & Joanie
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Ours is also AC or propane, no 12v as a sole power. When traveling, I never leave the refrigerator on as I have heard, it is not good to run them when they are not level. Also, many would consider the propane running a risk. We cool the fridge the day prior and it easily keeps items cold / frozen for the travel day. Safes on propane and reduces the risk of damage or fire..
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09-11-2015, 08:53 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: hanson ma
Posts: 234
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runing fridge on 12v
I do not think it would be practical to modify your 2 way unit to a 3 way many of us use the propane when on the go fuel use on propane I feel is very thrifty only sips it lee
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09-11-2015, 11:30 PM
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#4
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Junior Member
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 4
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Thanks guys, so nice to get responses so fast & from so far away.
Today was our first 'sea trials' - took a 110km (about 60 miles) round trip into the mountains & back. Had spent 2 hours before that messing with the new class 3 hitch & load dist bars & anti sway etc. Only took us 3 tries to get truck/trailer level...
Pulling about 2400 lbs with a 2012 Escape V6 was better than I expected, that hitch really works. Gas mileage in the toilet of course...
A few more 'practice runs' then it's time to winterize - leaves are falling & geese have been spotted heading south... arrgh. Here in Rawdon Quebec, summer is short (barely time for bikini tan lines) & winter is looooonnngg...
All this in preparation for next summer trip to Newfoundland - wish us 2 old farts luck...
Cheers, Lorne & Joanie
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09-14-2015, 08:39 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 412
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Congrats on your first successful trip.
I have always run the fridge on propane while traveling, also the fridge uses very little propane, a tank will last a very long time. The heater is what really uses up the propane.
__________________
2022 Entegra Vision XL 36C
2015 Gateway 3650BH (sold)
2005 F250 CC 4x4
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09-14-2015, 08:41 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Outdoors RV Owners Club
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Auburn, WA
Posts: 427
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Just as an FYI, it does not hurt to run the fridge on propane while driving. I, as well as many others do it all the time without any issues. I've gone up very steep mountain passes, down uneven roads, and parked with the trailer nose down maybe 2' from the rear and the fridge works like a champ the entire time.
__________________
TV: 2012 Ford F350 CC 6.7L 4x4
TT: 2014 Wind River 250RDSW [Dual Crown 6v, Trimetric, Iota 15.4v 55A charger]
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09-14-2015, 08:51 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Monaco Owners Club Holiday Rambler Owners Club
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: michigan-tip of the mitt
Posts: 1,444
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Run the gas, it doesn't use much more than a pilot light. As for level, while traveling the rig is being jostled enough that the refrigerant is kept moving and doesn't trap it self in any area of the frig. When parked, if the rig feels comfortably level then the frig will work fine on gas or elec.
__________________
2003 Class C, 29' Gulfstream
Next stop?
Previous rigs..2 Pickup campers,2 TT's, 3 DP MH's
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09-14-2015, 11:27 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 4,232
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Don't be worried about LP use. It uses 1500BTU/hr. Do the math? About 91000BTU in 1gal LP. So on 1gal alone, it can run 60hrs by itself. That is nothing.
Also, a 12V heater uses WAY too much power and is not as efficient as 120V or LP.
Also, run it on LP going down the road. Do you drive unlevel? No. So it won't hurt anything.
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09-16-2015, 09:26 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 1,312
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Our fridge is never off. Been traveling for 23 years with the propane on. Shut it off for fueling next to a gas truck fueling or at tunnels.
__________________
Barbara and Laurent, Hartland Big Country 3500RL. 39 ft long and 15500 GVW.
2005 Ford F250 SD, XL F250 4x4, Long Box, 6.0L Diesel, 6 Speed Stick, Hypertech Max Energy for Fuel mileage of 21 MPusG empty, 12.6 MPusG pulling the BC. ScangaugeII for display..
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09-16-2015, 11:50 PM
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#10
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Junior Member
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 4
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Thanks to all for your replies. Update - frig wouldn't work on propane until I tweaked the ignitor about 1/8 inch... fussy little thing eh?
So just back from our 2nd trip, great testing the hitch etc. Serious mountain roads, Escape V6 got into 3rd gear a few times...
Campground was deserted, but beautiful - lake water about 65F - shrinkage was happening LOL
Just an overnight trip but it felt like a week...
I'll try to post some pics
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09-16-2015, 11:58 PM
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#11
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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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We now have a residential refer but up till Feb we've had two way refers and ALWAYS traveled with them running and the propane on. That encompasses some 50+ years of RV'ing.
__________________
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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09-17-2015, 12:34 AM
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#12
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Registered User
Winnebago Owners Club Vintage RV Owners Club
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Cherry Creek, BC Canada
Posts: 7,648
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I've been RVing since way back when and I always run the roads with the propane on running the fridge. The only time I don't run the fridge is when the propane has to be turned off while on a Ferry. BTW the run to Newfoundland requires the propane tank to be turned off also.
BTW
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09-18-2015, 07:13 PM
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#13
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Junior Member
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jesilvas
Don't be worried about LP use. It uses 1500BTU/hr. Do the math? About 91000BTU in 1gal LP. So on 1gal alone, it can run 60hrs by itself. That is nothing.
Also, a 12V heater uses WAY too much power and is not as efficient as 120V or LP.
Also, run it on LP going down the road. Do you drive unlevel? No. So it won't hurt anything.
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I'd like to do some math, but around here Propane is sold by the pound. Your typical BBQ tank is 20 pounds, we got a 30 pound one. Any idea how many gallons in those tanks?
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09-18-2015, 07:19 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 35,441
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Quote:
Originally Posted by blad61
I'd like to do some math, but around here Propane is sold by the pound. Your typical BBQ tank is 20 pounds, we got a 30 pound one. Any idea how many gallons in those tanks?
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4.2 pounds per gallon.
20 lb = 4.76 gallons
30 lb = 7.14 gallons
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