Refrig on LP or Inverter while traveling?

[Eddie Foy]

My coach does not allow you to run the fridge on the invertor.

[Doula]

While traveling, we only have our fridge "on" when our generator is on. When the generator is off, our fridge is "off" as well. As Spikester said, it stays cold for quite a while since there's not a lot of fridge opening while on the road. Once we get to our destination, we hook up and it runs on electric. Our fridge will run on LP, but we only have it on LP if we're boondocking for a night en route. LP is expensive.

~Lori

[Finhawk]

Some good ideas. I think I'll try turning mine off on the next trip and see what happens

[amanda_h]

I asked before on a prior thread on this but is there any downside to running it off the inverter while going down the road other than forgetting to take it off the converter when stopping for a long period of time?


Yes, we learned that it does really drain the batteries quickly if the engine is off.

[John_Canfield]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by SacsTC:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">We always run on inverter to save propane. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
John,
Did you re-wire your coach to include the Fridge on the inverter or do you have the all-electric option..Most inverters only power the ice-maker. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>We're wired for fridge inverter operation from the factory.

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by amanda_h:
I asked before on a prior thread on this but is there any downside to running it off the inverter while going down the road other than forgetting to take it off the converter when stopping for a long period of time?


Yes, we learned that it does really drain the batteries quickly if the engine is off. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>Amanda - there are two considerations: one - your alternator is busy cranking out lots more current, working harder and consuming some engine power. Two - your inverter is also working and generating heat - heat can be the nemesis for electronics.

Our fridge consumes about 500-600 watts on the inverter which is of course only 25% of the 2,00 watt inverter capacity. The alternator is cranking out about 50-60 amps which is roughly half of its rated capacity. These loads only happen when the fridge cycles on.

Even considering all of the above, we still choose to run the fridge on the inverter.

[jimandsue60]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Meandering Retiree:
We always run the generator when we travel. It uses less than a gallon an hour and we run the refrigerator on automatic so it runs on electric while we travel. With the generator on we can run the heat pumps or the air conditioners while traveling. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Don't you have dash air or dash heat?

Jim

[amanda_h]

Great information as usual, John! It is exactly the information I was looking for. Thanks!

[MrTransistor]

I had to rewire our refrigerator's electric source to have it on the inverter. I switch the Norcold to LP for cooling operation but with the ProSine providing AC, the icemaker still produces. There was only one AC connection to the fridge, so I couldn't get just the icemaker wired for AC. Not a problem since we switch it to LP to travel.

[RedneckExpress]

Shame Winnebago hasn't gone to offering Waeco brand fridges. They're 12 volt compressor based units that have greater out-of-level tolerances and more interior space than a standard ammonia absorption unit. Their 12 volt draw is minimal enough that one with a good bank of batteries and solar could easily dry camp with them.

[jimandsue60]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Joseph C. McKenzie:
Shame Winnebago hasn't gone to offering Waeco brand fridges. They're 12 volt compressor based units that have greater out-of-level tolerances and more interior space than a standard ammonia absorption unit. Their 12 volt draw is minimal enough that one with a good bank of batteries and solar could easily dry camp with them. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

They do offer them and we have one. It isn't a replacement for the side by side but more of an additional storage unit in the basement. Mine has been plugged into 12 volts and hasn't been unplugged except to defrost it since we bought the coach. We have ours set to be a freezer.

Jim

[RedneckExpress]

So, Winnebago only offers them as a secondary unit, or do they offer them in place of the side-by-side? I know Waeco (Apparently now that division is owned by Dometic) makes an 8.5 Cubic Ft unit with the individual Fridge/Freezer compartments.

[jimandsue60]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Joseph C. McKenzie:
So, Winnebago only offers them as a secondary unit, or do they offer them in place of the side-by-side? I know Waeco (Apparently now that division is owned by Dometic) makes an 8.5 Cubic Ft unit with the individual Fridge/Freezer compartments. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Yes only secondary units are available to the best of my knowledge. 8.5 cu ft would be no where near big enough to replace the 12 cubic foot refer installed now. These ain't no truck campers Joe

Jim

Jim

[RedneckExpress]

Keep forgetting that there's an RV fridge bigger than 8.5 cubic foot.

[jimandsue60]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Joseph C. McKenzie:
Keep forgetting that there's an RV fridge bigger than 8.5 cubic foot. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Here is a company that makes 12 cubic foot and bigger 12 volt refrigerators. All I had to do was look for it.

Jim