How to power a 2-way refer while driving?

A flame is a flame and any open fkame at a gas station is ilegal... But those pesky laws are just for other people, right? :S

The flame in a refer is small and tucked way up inside the rig but,the flame generated by ignition on a water heater or furnace is huge and they are usually mere inches from the side of the RV. Before we leave anywhere the water heater and furnace are shut down EVERYTIME!

Since we know how to operate our frig and it works properly there is simply no reason to run it while underway. Everything stays cold because we stay out of it and we always use a large ice chest for drinks to generate more space in tbe frig. I just rotate fresh frozen Blue Ice blocks in every morning, this keeps teens and racoons out of my beer as well.
:C

Many people camp with their propane on...many of those people sit right next to you, just feet away. They could have a leak. Bad things can happen.

If your RV's propane system is functioning correctly, then you can use it going down the road.

Wow, a lot of insight in just 7 day's posts. Definitely two sides of this issue! You've answered my question, I'll stay cool and on propane. Will plan on shutoff/relight at fuel stop. Thanks everyone!

I run my frig on 120v at home for 24 hrs before leaving. It stays cold for a long time.

we run the refer in the Auto mode. 12V when the Alt is putting out, propane when ign. off and shore power when connected. I do sometimes force it to Propane and give the Alternator a break. When I turn the Ignition off the refer goes into an automatic 20 Min shutdown before refiring.

bobx2 wrote:
Mine stays on. Yes, even when refueling. Long ways from the fuel nozzle to the refrigerator. Not going to be a problem.

Might be right next to someone else who's refueling though, also while I can't speak to Colorado, in Minnesota I could be ticketed for not shutting mine off while refueling, though I'm sure this is NEVER enforced, I still error on side of caution and safety, doesn't take long.

Like pnichols said, just shut off 12v while you fuel and it cant spark then, my battery disconnect switch is on the tongue about 3 feet from the fuel filler on our Jeep, takes literally less than 5 seconds to be safe and legal.

MartyG2 wrote:
The refer that came with our new travel trailer is a two-way, i.e. propane and 120VAC. No ability to run it on 12VDC. Do I dare run it on propane while traveling? Or does one just keep it shut for the day's drive and hope that things stay cool?

I would hazard that over 90% of us let it run on propane.

wa8yxm wrote:



Now: I want you to imagine......

1: You are parked at a FMCA rally, rigs packed in like sardines, and DownTheRoad's photo above happens due to........

What really happened:

1. You somehow got in to the rally under the FMCA 'radar' with a TT or Fifth wheel..:)

2. The FMCA member in the Prevost drove out, then remotely detonated an IED under your ugly "thing".

3. The FMCA rally attendees toast your toasted RV...:W

Awwww - that wouldn't *really* happen................would it??.:@

~

Francesca Knowles wrote:
I hope it's understood that when folks say "turn off when refueling" that means the appliances themselves, which then cannot relight automatically.

Hmmmmm .... how can that happen if you merely just turn off the 12V battery power in your RV while gassing up??

Just inside our RV's side exit door is the main switch that turns off the coach batteries' 12V power to the entire coach. No propane powered appliances can ignite without power for their 12 volt igniters.

When gassing up, I just switch this off for a few minutes - there's no need to turn off any propane supply valves anywhere. After gassing up I just turn this switch back on so the refrig can operate when going down the road.

This is a very easy and convenient way to gas up safely without fear of any propane igniter coming on. Just make sure to switch the 12V coach power back on after refueling so that your refrig doesn't warm up while going down the road ... I had this happen once. Now I have a digital gauge right on the dash that shows the voltage on the coach's 12 volt system when I'm in the driver's seat. This gauge better read from 13 volts on up when traveling or I'm not getting the engine alternator keeping the coach batteries charged and I'm not getting a refrigerator keeping things cold.

Mine stays on. Yes, even when refueling. Long ways from the fuel nozzle to the refrigerator. Not going to be a problem.