Refrigerator on D.C. When traveling?

Hi,

The problem is voltage drop on the 12 volt side. My 12 volt setting works well--if I'm plugged into shore power when the voltage is 13.2, and draws about 34 amps. That works out to over 400 watts. I discovered this by accident on a trip in 2009, so I don't have a lot of data about it.

But at 12.7 volts, the fridge just doesn't keep up with the wattage needed to keep running well.

Part of the reason is the makers only use #12 wire for the DC supply to the fridge. #10 or #8 would work much better.

I've run refer on propane when underway since taking delivery of our 2006 Lance in late 2005. We burn diesel so that's an advantage on explosive fumes danger at pumps, but doesn't protect you from the gasser on the other side of the pump. To be safe, just turn the refer off prior to reaching pumps and back on after clearing.
Never had the flame blow out when moving in all those years either. Individual designs might not offer same wind protection however.

We used all the time but never felt really good about a open flame. Picked up a wireless thermometer and turns out our fefrig keeps temps except most hottest days. Get gauge with most range... I think ours is 55 feet. Works for us.

designed to use propane when moving. Do it. Turn it off at fuel pumps. Don't smoke at fuel pumps. If you see someone smoking at fuel pumps, get away as far and fast as you can.

jfkmk wrote:
I had a 3-way refrigerator in my last trailer. I always used the 12 volt when traveling, but I'll be honest, it barely slowed the warming process.

That has been my limited experience.

just put it on pp and all most forget it. TURN OFF when fueling, before you get to the pumps. the refrig uses very little pp.12v will not do the job.

FYI: Those of us with 2 way units routinely run on propane while underway.

Want to read a few hundred posts about propane?

We use 12v when the engine is running, although before we had the option we used propane when traveling. I'm not sure why you say you "know not to use propane when moving". Seems like an odd statement unless you plan to forget to turn it off when fueling.

Dave

I had a 3-way refrigerator in my last trailer. I always used the 12 volt when traveling, but I'll be honest, it barely slowed the warming process.