I'm still new to my rv and have some questions about how the fridge works. Its a 2 way fridge and I'm wondering if the fridge needs battery power when running on gas. I was under the assumption I could keep my fridge cold while dry camping and not use any battery power. If I disconnect the battery when the pilot light is lit, it goes right out. If this is correct how much battery power will it suck down while running the fridge. Thanks.

The battery power is used to run the control boards. It should take very little power from your battery (depending upon the quality of your battery). If your RV is parked at home, simply run the fridge on propane for 24 hours and then see how much power the fridge takes from the battery. Each fridge/RV/battery is different as to usage, so it's better to know yourself.With my 1975 Dometic fridge and a Group 31 AGM deep cycle battery, I don't put a dent into my battery power over 4 days (including use of the water pump and lights without being miserly).

You have a 2010 Forest River toyhauler trailer so that 2 way fridge uses 12V DC power for the control board whether using 110V AC electric heat element or the LP propane gas mode.On propane it also uses 12V DC to power spark electrode & operate gas valve.There is NO pilot flame......that IS the main flame. The control board will open/close gas valve and spark/re-spark to light main flame based on fridge thermostat setting.On shore power the converter will supply the needed 12V DC.Without shore power the trailer battery will supply the needed 12V DCWhen connected to tow vehicle, the trailer battery will supply the needed 12V DC and tow vehicle alternator will maintain trailer battery.Fridge places very little demand on 12V DC System.Furnace is a DC hog, electric stabilizers/tongue jack high demand but short duration, lights next, water pump when running, water heater/fridge come last (control board/gas valves)

Old-Biscuit explains it well. To clarify what he is saying about the flame you see, that is the burner flame, not a pilot. The refrigerator needs very little flame to operate. Many people mistake this for a pilot flame, which it is not. Like Old-Biscuit said, the flame is ignited with an electronic spark.Bruce

The frig uses 10 to 15 AH per day(depending on ambient and how often you open the door).Doug

My fridge uses about 15 AH per day. If you have a multimeter, set it to the 10A scale, locate the fuse for the fridge, pull the fuse and put the meter across the contacts. Multiply the current you read by 24. That will be the ampere hours (AH) per day.

running the fridge on lp | Good Sam Community

12 Replies

Ron3rd
Explorer III
Sep 21, 2014
As mentioned, the fridge ALWAYS needs power to run, either from shore power or your batteries, even to run on LP. If your batteries go dead and your not hooked up to shore power, your fridge will turn off. Can't run 'em without juice!
skyhawk208
Explorer
Sep 21, 2014
You guys are great. That's exactly the info I was looking for. Thanks a bunch.
tenbear
Explorer
Sep 21, 2014
As others have said, the fridge does not draw much current. However, it is on 24 hours a day. If you have 1 battery, it probably has a capacity of about 100 Amp hours (AH). Of the 100 AH you should not use more than 50% for good battery life.

The 15 or so AH the fridge uses each day is a significant percentage of your battery power. Probably only the furnace is a bigger user if it is cold out. Excessive use of incandescent lights is also a big draw but during the summer they are not on that long. Replacing them with LEDs makes a big difference. Check out eBay. The water pump also draws a lot of current so take short showers.
korbe
Explorer
Sep 21, 2014
My frig uses about 7ah per day while on LPG.
Dusty_R
Explorer
Sep 21, 2014
Some units have 12 volt electric heaters in the door area for humidity control on humid days. You turn them on and off. They are seldom needed, so be sure they are turned off, they do use quite a bit of power.
coolmom42
Explorer II
Sep 21, 2014
The biggest power sucks are your furnace, then lights. If you are concerned about battery life, switch out your light bulbs for LEDs. Start with the most used and switch a few at a time to spread out the cost. Go to ledtrailerlights.com for the best choice & good quality.
Ivylog
Explorer III
Sep 21, 2014
Some units have fans to help cool, especially if in a slide so your amp hours may be greater when it's warm out.
tenbear
Explorer
Sep 21, 2014
My fridge uses about 15 AH per day. If you have a multimeter, set it to the 10A scale, locate the fuse for the fridge, pull the fuse and put the meter across the contacts. Multiply the current you read by 24. That will be the ampere hours (AH) per day.
doughere
Explorer
Sep 21, 2014
The frig uses 10 to 15 AH per day(depending on ambient and how often you open the door).

Doug
nomad297
Explorer
Sep 21, 2014
Old-Biscuit explains it well. To clarify what he is saying about the flame you see, that is the burner flame, not a pilot. The refrigerator needs very little flame to operate. Many people mistake this for a pilot flame, which it is not. Like Old-Biscuit said, the flame is ignited with an electronic spark.

Bruce