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11-22-2020, 04:10 PM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2017
Posts: 2
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Propane or Generator
Hi Everyone, does anyone have any opinions about whether to run the fridge on propane or generator power while rolling down the road? Which is better, safer or cheaper?
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11-22-2020, 04:22 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 14,573
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IF..IF you are running gen for 'other' uses (A/C Unit etc) then run fridge on AC
If running gen JUST for fridge...WHY
Use the Propane and roll on
__________________
Is it time for YOUR Medication or Mine?
Dodge 3500 w/Tractor Motor & NUWA 5vr
US NAVY---USS Decatur DDG-31
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11-22-2020, 04:29 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2018
Posts: 2,186
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Yep. My Norcold 1200 sips propane. Presently paying $2.25/gallon. No extra hours, oil, oil filters, fuel filters or diesel fuel required for the ONAN. 
__________________
2005 Monaco Knight 40PLQ; Cummins 8.3L ISC330, Pacbrake, Allison 3000, Roadmaster RR8R, ScanGauge D, 2004 Kawasaki Vulcan VN750(Geezer Glide) on a Versahaul carrier pulling a 2013 Kia Soul+; 2.0L, 6 speed Sport shifter(great car) on an American Car Dolly(great dolly.)
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11-22-2020, 04:34 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 1,509
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Old-Biscuit
IF..IF you are running gen for 'other' uses (A/C Unit etc) then run fridge on AC
If running gen JUST for fridge...WHY
Use the Propane and roll on
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Excellent answer.
__________________
Brett Wolfe
Ex: 2003 Alpine 38FDDS. Ex: 1997 Safari Sahara. Ex: 1993 Foretravel U240
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11-22-2020, 08:09 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: North America somewhere
Posts: 21,376
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The rule of thumb for shore power is multiply the cost of electricity in KWH x 28. Whichever costs less one KWH or one gallon of propane is the lowest operating cost. For your genset you must do the math.
__________________
2000 Winnebago Ultimate Freedom USQ40JD, ISC 8.3 Cummins 350, Spartan MM Chassis. USA IN 1SG 11B5MX,Infantry retired;Good Sam Life member,FMCA. " My fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country. John F. Kennedy
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11-22-2020, 09:07 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: Louisiana
Posts: 454
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Propane unless I need to run the generator for other stuff.
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2017 Thor ACE 27.2
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11-22-2020, 11:22 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Enjoying the Western States!
Posts: 12,913
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Depending how many hours you're driving, our refrigerator kept cool enough without either for 6 hr. or so.
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Full-timed for 16 Years . . .
Traveled 8 yr in a 2004 Newmar Dutch Star 40' Diesel
& 8 yr in a 33' Travel Supreme 5th wheel
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11-22-2020, 11:30 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 209
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Neither ....
Assuming you haven't just returned from several days boondocking and suffered a large battery bank discharge during which there was no solar to charge the battery bank and you do not have severely depleted batteries which are over-taxing the alternator, then the alternator will happily keep an inverter powered up (assuming your coach has a high amperage solenoid to charge house batteries from the alternator). The draw on the alternator would only be around 30A to produce the typical 3A@120VAC that the electrical heating element uses in a propane fridge. (From the ratio 3A x 120VAC = 360 watts and 360 watts =(also) 12VDC x 30A)
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11-23-2020, 05:46 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 740
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ur2fast4me
Hi Everyone, does anyone have any opinions about whether to run the fridge on propane or generator power while rolling down the road? Which is better, safer or cheaper?
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I have always run on lp while traveling.
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11-23-2020, 07:53 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 25,548
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I run on automatic. If the generator is running, it switchs to 120 volts.
If no generator, it switchs to propane.
I would need to rewire the outlet to run on inverter power. If I do that, I would need to manually switch to gas if I was dry camping. 35 amps all night is a battery killer.
Why add complexity to an automatic system ??
And turn it off for hours at a time, no thank you ! We travel for 6 months, so we're not just transporting beer, burgers and hot dogs for a weekend. What's frozen needs to stay frozen.
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11-23-2020, 09:22 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 123
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refrigerator
Quote:
Originally Posted by twinboat
I run on automatic. If the generator is running, it switchs to 120 volts.
If no generator, it switches to propane.
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(Or no power pedestal.)
Ditto.
C.B.
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11-23-2020, 10:57 AM
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#12
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: Silver Springs, FL. USA
Posts: 23,600
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Newbies and OCD owners love to fixate on this question, but it's not worth the time to discuss. Any of the available methods works fine and none is notably safer or cheaper or "better" than another.
__________________
Gary Brinck
Former owner of 2004 American Tradition and several other RVs
Home is in the Ocala Nat'l Forest near Ocala, FL
Summers in Black Mountain, NC
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11-23-2020, 12:20 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Triple E Owners Club
Join Date: Aug 2020
Location: St. Albert, Alberta
Posts: 129
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The amount of propane used to run a fridge is very minimal and costs less than running a generator.
Run it in the "auto" mode and never worry about it.
__________________
2008 Triple E Invitation 40' ISL 400
2015 Equinox AWD Toad
D&B Living the Dream
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11-23-2020, 12:48 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2020
Posts: 399
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Somewhat along the same lines, running either the fridge or furnace on LP while driving, know most say they do it without issue, it just seems like the air flowing across the burner chambers while driving will create a low pressure conditions and pulling the flame outwards. Has anyone ever seen a video or such that shows the effects of the moving air while driving?
__________________
2001 Winnebago Brave SE29 Workhorse P32 7.4L
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