So, I have been on the road for the last week, covering over 1500 miles. IT has been a good shake down run to see what I need to improve. One major problem is keeping things cold in the fridge while on the move. It's pretty hot here in the south and I have lost milk and sandwich meat on this trip due to the fridge getting hot during the day when I am on the road. My fridge runs on AC, DC, or Propane. I am not comfortable runing it on propane while driving. I tried running it on DC one day and it killed my Interstate battery and I had to replace it. This leaves electric. I bought a 1500 watt (3000 peak) inverter at tractor supply in hopes of using it to power the rv while driving so the fridge will stay cold, but now I am wondering how to set this system up and if it is even a good idea to do it. The inverter is designed to hook directly to the battery, so I was thinking of installing it permanently under the hood and running a shielded 12 gauge extention cord to the back bumper with a fixed outlet I can plug into, like I do the trailer lights. Then I would run a cord from the trailer hitch to the AC plug on the RV. I am sure that many have tried this, so I would like to hear about your experiences and hiccups you might have run into.

Death by gunshot? Knife? Poison?If you think the twelve volt circuit drained the battery fast just wait until you try it with an inverter. The only answer is 4 golf car batteries. Why 4? If you boondock at the end of a long day on the road, a pair of GC220's will be at 50% state of charge when you pull over.There is no good/cheap fix for this.

That might work if you don't burn up your alternator. Is the inverter that you bought a pure sine wave? Not sure why you don't like propane but I have put 60,000 miles on our 5th wheel with the fridge running on propane.

That's really going to tax your charging system. Our small Hideout had the same refrigerator options as yours. Except the DC option never worked. We kept a cooler handy for traveling and didn't depend on the refrigerator until we set up camp. Our new trailer has the gas option that is OK for running while pulling the trailer. One less thing to worry about.

I recommend an intervention to rid your fear of propane.Inverter needs to reside in a cool dry place with ventilation. BTW you only need 400 watt inverter to run the fridge. I would mount it in the trailer and beef up the charge line and at least double the battery.Since you have an open bed I recommend a Honda 1000 or 2000 to supply 120v power if you insist.Another option is 300+ watts of solar to supplement the vehicle charging of the trailer battery.Did I mention you need to get over your propane fear?

Just run the propane - that's what it's for. Most of us do it.

Using TV inverter to power fridge while towing Do or don't?

MEXICOWANDERER
Explorer
Aug 12, 2017
Death by gunshot? Knife? Poison?

If you think the twelve volt circuit drained the battery fast just wait until you try it with an inverter. The only answer is 4 golf car batteries. Why 4? If you boondock at the end of a long day on the road, a pair of GC220's will be at 50% state of charge when you pull over.

There is no good/cheap fix for this.
corvettekent
Explorer
Aug 12, 2017
That might work if you don't burn up your alternator. Is the inverter that you bought a pure sine wave?

Not sure why you don't like propane but I have put 60,000 miles on our 5th wheel with the fridge running on propane.
RSD559
Explorer
Aug 12, 2017
That's really going to tax your charging system. Our small Hideout had the same refrigerator options as yours. Except the DC option never worked. We kept a cooler handy for traveling and didn't depend on the refrigerator until we set up camp. Our new trailer has the gas option that is OK for running while pulling the trailer. One less thing to worry about.
time2roll
Nomad
Aug 12, 2017
I recommend an intervention to rid your fear of propane.

Inverter needs to reside in a cool dry place with ventilation. BTW you only need 400 watt inverter to run the fridge. I would mount it in the trailer and beef up the charge line and at least double the battery.

Since you have an open bed I recommend a Honda 1000 or 2000 to supply 120v power if you insist.
Another option is 300+ watts of solar to supplement the vehicle charging of the trailer battery.

Did I mention you need to get over your propane fear?
Got_Dirt_
Explorer
Aug 12, 2017
Just run the propane - that's what it's for. Most of us do it.
dons2346
Explorer
Aug 12, 2017
Simplest way is to run the refer on propane while on the road. There is nothing wrong or dangerous using propane to run the refer while on the road.

Also, depending on how long you are on the road, there might not be a reason to power the refer. Contrary to popular beliefs, the refer will keep things cold and frozen for hours without power of any kind.

Normal travel times on the road are about 10 hours max.Unless you are in and out of the refer on a constant basis, you are good.
MrWizard
Moderator
Aug 12, 2017
#1 use the propane, it is the best option for your setup

#2 the 120v heating element in the fridge Does Not need
pure sine wave, a cheap 400w intverter will do the job
But you will use 25-30 extra amps on the alternator circuit to feed the inverter to heat up that 300w 120v electric heating element

considering its HOT and you are using the A/C in your T/V, will the alternator handle the extra continuous load ?

if yes, buy a cheap inverter and run your cord

i think propane is the best option
jungleexplorer
Explorer
Aug 12, 2017
Thanks guys. I was kinda thinking along those lines, so you just confirmed my worries on all points. The inverter is still in the box, so I can return it. The only reason I was worried about the propane option was because I was told that it is illegal in most states, and also because on my last TT (Kodiak 19FL) running the fridge on propane while moving would cause the fridge to go into error mode and I had take the circuit board out several times and perform a manual reset on it. It said right in the manual for that fridge that it had to be perfectly level when in operation or it would do this. I am not sure about this fridge on this Jayco though. Maybe it is different.
bikendan
Explorer
Aug 12, 2017
jungleexplorer wrote:
The only reason I was worried about the propane option was because I was told that it is illegal in most states

whoever told you that is vastly uniformed.:S

please don't take any RV advice from whoever it was.
TomG2
Explorer
Aug 12, 2017
Like most things, there is no "always" about such things. There are places which restrict the use of open flame devices like propane refrigerators.

Simplest solution? A good cooler and a couple of bags of ice while traveling if you do not want to run propane. Most of us run on propane. One alternator will pay for a lot of ice.