Noob question about RV fridge

[deanjonas]

Is it OK to run the fridge on propane while traveling ? If it helps, It's a Norcold 838, 2-way. Also, can this fridge be converted to 3-way without a lot of work ? I started using the RV for towing my race car this year, and I love staying at the track. A few of the tows are around 10 hours long.

[NXR]

Originally Posted by deanjonas

Is it OK to run the fridge on propane while traveling ? If it helps, It's a Norcold 838, 2-way. Also, can this fridge be converted to 3-way without a lot of work ? I started using the RV for towing my race car this year, and I love staying at the track. A few of the tows are around 10 hours long.

You should be able to run it on propane while driving but that model was discontinued in 1986. I'd be hesitant to even run a 34+ year-old fridge at all.

See this link for the 838 versus the 8310 3-way: Dave's Place - Norcold Electronics (838 and 8310)

HTH,

Ray

[Bigd9]

Originally Posted by NXR

You should be able to run it on propane while driving but that model was discontinued in 1986. I'd be hesitant to even run a 34+ year-old fridge at all.

See this link for the 838 versus the 8310 3-way: Dave's Place - Norcold Electronics (838 and 8310)

HTH,

Ray

Good Catch! And

[Old-Biscuit]

1984 vintage RV......lucky fridge still cools

YES you can operate on propane while traveling. What it was designed for

No you can NOT convert it to a 2-way to a 3-way
Would require new upper control/display
New circuit board with DC Element Fuse/terminals
Element Holder on boiler next to the AC element holder

Besides the DC Element is only good for maintaining a cold fridge while traveling
Not capable of cooling a fridge down from initial start
Not intended for use while boondocking
Too high of DC drain on batteries w/o vehicle alternator recharging battery

[deanjonas]

Thanks guys. As for using a fridge this old, It looks like it has had the latest recalls done, and the cooling unit looks to be in good shape. I was planning on replacing the cooling unit this winter, with the Amish unit, but as good as this thing cools, its going to be hard to do. It being so old, and as good as it cools, makes me think it hasn't been used very much, or the cooling unit has been replaced. I'll forget the 12v conversion idea, especially since It'll be ok to travel with the propane going. When i get to the track, I'll be on 120v power.

[cataska]

If it ain't broke don't fix it.