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ABBACUS's avatar
ABBACUS
Explorer
Mar 12, 2014

Roadtrek CS owner

I have a question for RoadTrek CS owner, the new refrigerator (7CF) is listed as 12v and 110V. The CS model has propane but it looks like the Ref is power from the batteries and invertor when driving down the road.
I am a full-timer (2007) in a Class C 29FT and want to go to a smaller unit, but my wife has MS and needs a Refrigerator for Meds. I check with some of the dealer on the Etrek (too small for fulltime) and my understanding is add the engine generator is just a extra alternator to charge the batteries. The A/C is also power by the 5K invertor.

Thanks for any repleys Please no experts on why not to buy a Roadtrek
Bobby Johnson K5YPP Firefighter EMT
Class B

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  • mlts22's avatar
    mlts22
    Explorer II
    Mar 12, 2014
    The fridge is a compressor based fridge, a Norcold DE-0061 model. It doesn't use propane, but it will make inroads on your battery's charge.

    On the CS, you have three options:

    • Buy the "engine generator" option. Caveat with this is that you run into troubles if idling a Sprinter engine for long periods, maybe running the risk of plugging the DPF, which can cost $3000+ to replace.
    • Get a propane generator option. This will charge the batteries, but propane generators tend to not have a long run time on the 10 gallon tank. From what I know, you will be able to run the generator 20 hours, tops.
    • Getting an external gasoline powered generator. A small, 1000 watt inverter generator can run 8-12 hours in less than a gallon of gasoline, good enough to top off the batteries. However, you will need to find space for that somewhere.

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