Propane usage for a Refrigerator
I am wondering about the approximate propane usage when the refer is running on propane. I am thinking of leaving the refer on between short trips when parked in the storage lot.
Forum Discussion
- It doesn't use much.
- remember your using 12v at the same time, you,ll have to keep the batt charged.
- Hi,
Add 300 watts of solar, then you may run the fridge on propane to your hearts delight. I would be one of the "run it 24 hours before the trip" folks. DutchmenSport wrote:
X2!
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So bottom line, you have no problem with propane usage....you will have problems maintaining a charged battery.- Depends upon the outside temperature of course, and then the temperature inside the camper. Of course, the colder the outside temperature, the less the refrigerator will run. Actually, the refrigerator "can" quit running completely if the outside temperatures drop low enough and stay there a while.
If your outside temperature is 85 degrees and the inside of your camper reaches 100 because it's the middle of the Summer and you are not parked under any shade, your refrigerator will run on propane. If you have a 30 pound bottle, it will probably run all Summer and not use it all, even with 100 degree temperatures inside the camper.
HOWEVER!... the refrigerator needs your battery to run. Unfortunately, today's refrigerators are not like the old ones my parents had in their camper, that was truly 100% gas and did not depend upon any kind of electricity (AC or DC). Your refrigerator needs the battery to keep the electronics working.
Unless you have some way to keep your battery charged, with all the parasitic draw on your battery (all the other things that pull power, even if they are not turned on ... like your radio, CO2 detectors, power converter, etc.) you will be fortunate if you can keep the refrigerator running for 2 weeks before the battery doesn't have enough power left.
If your battery has a cut-off switch, it will also cut off the refrigerator.
So bottom line, you have no problem with propane usage....you will have problems maintaining a charged battery. - Seems wasteful to me. I'd recommend going and turning it on maybe 24hrs before you plan on loading it up, anything more is wasting fuel and energy IMHO. Not to mention you're still using DC power even when running on propane.
As far as usage goes, of course it varies, we've gone a 4 day weekend using the furnace, water heater and fridge all on propane and that includes turning the fridge on the day before, we used just over half a 20lb tank (truck camper). And we weren't being conservative. I haven't a clue how long it'd take just the refer to drain a tank. I'd be more concerned with battery life.
