propane fridge on when traveling

mikeh449 wrote:
always on propane

Yes, that's what it's for.

On all the time. Usually on propane, but if the inverter happens to be on it switches over to that. If I understand how they work, the units are probably safer and more efficient running being jostled around than sitting still.

I also agree with those that said if it isn't safe to have running while driving, I don't want to be sleeping with it running!

Jeff

Dick_B wrote:
Bill of Bills RV in Ventura, CA does not recommend having the fridge on when traveling. As I remember if the pipes clog and the flame is on there can be trouble. He recommends staying out of the refer to avoid spilling the cold air out.
Mine is off unless it's 95 degrees outside and we are traveling over four hours or so. Me Wife puts in cold packs just in case.

IF Bill actually said this AND believes it, he has NO business working on RV systems. He has shown extreme ignorance on a basic part of the refer and operation. IF driving with the refer on LP (I only have about 35 years of seeing this as a professional), there would be stories all over because there are MILLIONS of RV refers on the road every year. I have NEVER heard or seen reports of a fire caused while in transit. NOT even at a Gasoline station, where they proved the refer was a cause of any such fire.
THEY ARE DESIGNED TO OPERATE IN TRANSIT AND THERE IS NO REASON TO NOT DO SO. Now, some areas you MUST turn the LP systems OFF to go thru Tunnels and such. Doug

Francesca Knowles wrote:

Dick_B wrote:
Bill of Bills RV in Ventura, CA does not recommend having the fridge on when traveling. As I remember if the pipes clog and the flame is on there can be trouble.

:h

What "pipes"? Certainly he couldn't mean the propane "pipes", since if those clogged the flame would go out. If he meant the fridge coolant tubes, they're much less likely to clog when the rig's in motion. And even if they do clog, the outcome would just be loss of cooling.

I think Ol' Bill the Dealer was givin' you a standard "CYA" answer to the question.

Technically he is right, but I think people are misunderstanding. The potential problem is the cheap piece of junk that Dometic and Norcold make their cooling units out of. We all know about how the boiler tube is too thin, and can easily overheat. When it does, the pipe bursts, which is a problem because what comes out of the pipe will burn.

Now as much of that is fact, the problem is that is a potential issue regardless of if you are driving or not. The only bad part about driving is that if it does blow, you will need to pull over, which reduces the time you have to get out of your RV before it burns to the ground. Even if it does not catch fire, you have a severe ammonia problem, and will need to vacate the coach for a while - ask me how I know.

On. I posed this question to the manufacturer when I bought it. It's built to be on in motion. Enough safety features to shut itself off in the event of a problem. I try and remember to turn it off while fueling. I forget a lot of the time. I'm still here and so is everyone else. And the most important part, my food and beer are always cold.

Dick_B wrote:
Bill of Bills RV in Ventura, CA does not recommend having the fridge on when traveling. As I remember if the pipes clog and the flame is on there can be trouble. He recommends staying out of the refer to avoid spilling the cold air out.
Mine is off unless it's 95 degrees outside and we are traveling over four hours or so. Me Wife puts in cold packs just in case.

My mommy says propane is OK! Good enough for me. She never listens to Bill!

ON!!!

The front TV shuts off while driving and the propane fridge would do the same if it was a hazard.

Mack the Fire Guy is just putting on a 'professional' face for the crowd.

If flame goes out....it will attempt to relight. If it doesn't 'prove' it trips out.
If propane line/hose breaks the excess flow valve will close

Safety features are built in to systems

If it was dangerous to operate a 'self contained' RV while in transit then it is too dang dangerous to operate it while I'm sleeping.

Fridge has been ON for over 7yrs. Only time it is off is 3X a year to defrost.

Turn it off to be safest. Refrigerator stays cold on 3-4 hour trips. Leave some freezer packs in the freezer to help.