Community Forums

blkcloud · 10-09-2016, 06:05 AM

I have a nocold in my mh.. Sometimes after it sits a while it's kinda hard to get it back going.. So.. Last month I decided to keep it running while the mh was parked.. I have a separate meter on my shop where I have it plugged into.. That month the bill went from the typical $50 a month to $80.. Just wondering if that sounds about right? Thanks!

RV Wizard · 10-09-2016, 07:45 AM

Not for the refrigerator alone. Sounds like you had the motorhome plugged in and not the refrigerator alone.

twinboat · 10-09-2016, 07:56 AM

A Gas/ Electric refrigerator is about 3 time less effecent then a standard household, compressor style refrigerator.

The 350, or more, watts that the fridge is using, along with the converter maintaning 13.5 volts to your battery banks, could account for your higher electric costs.

It would probably be cheaper to run it on propane. While running on gas, it still uses a bit of power, so you will still need the converter, to keep the batteries up

palehorse89 · 10-09-2016, 07:58 AM

Agree with Mike above, depending on what model fridge you have......mine has 2 heating elements and draw 3.5 amps.
Your inverter/converter if running is also using electric ........

Kenvb · 10-09-2016, 08:03 AM

i always leave it on propane all summer.

**CountryFit** · 10-09-2016, 02:38 PM

my propane tank holds 28 gallons. it typically runs about 100 days without refill. at price of $1.5/gl (you have to find it though), it's equivalent to $14/mo. maintaining battery by solar.

vsheetz · 10-09-2016, 02:52 PM

To really know the usage / cost over time, but a Kill-a-Watt meter. About $30 on Amazon.

A few years ago I checked our then motorhome with a not cold 1200, battery charger, etc. Using the electric rates I estimated about $15 / month.

hoosierrun · 10-09-2016, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CountryFit

my propane tank holds 28 gallons. it typically runs about 100 days without refill. at price of $1.5/gl (you have to find it though), it's equivalent to $14/mo. maintaining battery by solar.

Argggg... I paid between $3.50 and $4.00 per gallon of propane. Where do you find it for $1.50? That is what I paid 12 years ago.

**CountryFit** · 10-09-2016, 11:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hoosierrun

Argggg... I paid between $3.50 and $4.00 per gallon of propane. Where do you find it for $1.50? That is what I paid 12 years ago.

two places i ran into recently - 1) a chevron gas station in reedsport, or carried propane @$1.5/gl; 2) a gas station in sequim, wa was selling it @$1.38/gl.