Propane or genset for refrigerator when on the road

NoVa RT wrote:
I run the fridge off the battery when traveling, after cooling it down while plugged in at home before leaving. I don't get the preference for propane. Sure, you don't use that much, but you don't use any off the 12V. I figure I'll just use the propane when I run the furnace (mostly cook on an outside grill) and it'll last a very long time.

A large part of the preference comes from the many two-way fridges that don't have a 12V element. The choices are propane or 120VAC power--and if you aren't running the generator while traveling for other reasons such as running an air conditioner, and don't care to buy and install an inverter for fridge use.

In many cases where there is three way power, the 12V element is also significantly less powerful than the burner or the 120V element, so there is less cooling available when running on 12V power. On hot days, that can be an important consideration--you might not be able to maintain sufficiently cool temperatures.

Kayteg1 wrote:

msmith1199 wrote:
I run on propane and never remember to turn it off when fueling. I've never blown anything up yet.

Nor did this guy running his engine while fueling till this happened.
Fire at gas station.

Gasoline vapors are heavier than air. The refer back access is usually 4 to 5 feet above the ground and fuel nozzles on vehicles 3 feet or less. Sooooo, the vapors from filling a gasoline tank will fall down, not rise up. AND the distance from the fuel fill, to any possible LP refer will cause those vapors to be diluted to not be able to cause a flash. I don't have but 36 years in the RV service field and have NEVER read or have seen any report about a flash fire caused by a LP refer at a fuel station. I have read about someone who knew someone whose 3rd cousin married someone whose father witnessed such a fire:B Never mind, that was a Bigfoot sighting:B Doug

NoVa RT wrote:
I run the fridge off the battery when traveling, after cooling it down while plugged in at home before leaving. I don't get the preference for propane. Sure, you don't use that much, but you don't use any off the 12V. I figure I'll just use the propane when I run the furnace (mostly cook on an outside grill) and it'll last a very long time.

Because you have tunnel vision. Your Particular Motorhome, has the optional 3 way refer. Usually, only your type motorhomes have a REAL 3 way refer that has a 12 volt heating element(3rd way). BUT, that 12 volt element does NOT cool the refer. It only maintains the existing temp while it is on 12 volt. The OP has the more standard 2 way (LP and 120 only). Doug

Kayteg1 wrote:
Technology is not for everybody, but some might want to use

400W INVERTER

The obvious downside on an inverter is battery draw and hooking it up (chasing the wires etc). Not knocking it, but some may want to use the LP. I thought about an inverter and then I thought, "why bother?". It works fine the way it is.

Can you cite some incidences where the LP fridge blew up a gas station?

And obviously if your worried about it, turn it off while fueling. Problem solved.

Man the doom and gloom on here sometimes about simple questions.

Technology is not for everybody, but some might want to use

400W INVERTER

Saving $30? Never mind, don't explain.

What you are missing is that playing with fire is not the smartest thing you can do in your life.
Just becouse you get lucky 1000 times, doesn't mean the luck will last forever.
I did lot of danger things in my life, but no matter how low the risk is - taking it for saving $30 doesn't make much sense to me.
YMMV

Kayteg1 wrote:

msmith1199 wrote:
I run on propane and never remember to turn it off when fueling. I've never blown anything up yet.

Nor did this guy running his engine while fueling till this happened.
Fire at gas station.

So I'm missing where his propane powered refrigerator was on that motorcycle? And it also looks like he was putting gas in that motorcycle instead of diesel fuel. Also looked like he spilled fuel down on the engine and that's what caused the fire. In other words what does this possibly have to do with the statement I made? Never mind, don't answer.

mowermech wrote:

cableguy574 wrote:
I run my on the inverter, no fuel cost at all.

No, on second thought I just won't respond to that....

You were going to say the inverter gets it's power from the batteries that are getting their power from the alternator and the extra load on the alternator causes more drag on the fan belt so the engine has to work harder and uses more fuel to power the inverter, weren't you?

msmith1199 wrote:
I run on propane and never remember to turn it off when fueling. I've never blown anything up yet.

Nor did this guy running his engine while fueling till this happened.
Fire at gas station.