3 way fridge

[funbiz4all]

we have a 2005 itasca sunrise 38j class A. when we are driving 4-6 hrs should we put the fridge on aux,ac,or propane? should we run it off battery,or run the generator while drivjing, or have the propane on while driving? confused.

[KD4UPL]

Run it one propane. That's how it's designed to work. It will cool better on propane anyway.

[steveh27]

dougrainer wrote:

steveh27 wrote:
My 1997 Class B has a 3 way Dometic fridge. It does not have an auto setting. I drive with it on 12 volt. It can't run on 12 volt with the engine off, therefore no battery drain. I switch to propane when stopped. I don't like having the main valve open on the propane tank because if I got in an accident the lines would have free flowing gas to explode. If you don't get in accident nor stop to refuel you'll be OK.

Your Asme and DOT LP tanks have EXCESS FLOW VALVES. IF you have a major break in the LP system the tank flow shuts OFF. Whenever I hear people state concerns about the worry you have, I ask them to dig up any stories of a LP assisted catastrophe with an RV. They never can, just "things they have heard" Doug

I did not know that. Thank you DOug for that info.

[dougrainer]

steveh27 wrote:
My 1997 Class B has a 3 way Dometic fridge. It does not have an auto setting. I drive with it on 12 volt. It can't run on 12 volt with the engine off, therefore no battery drain. I switch to propane when stopped. I don't like having the main valve open on the propane tank because if I got in an accident the lines would have free flowing gas to explode. If you don't get in accident nor stop to refuel you'll be OK.

Your Asme and DOT LP tanks have EXCESS FLOW VALVES. IF you have a major break in the LP system the tank flow shuts OFF. Whenever I hear people state concerns about the worry you have, I ask them to dig up any stories of a LP assisted catastrophe with an RV. They never can, just "things they have heard" Doug

[steveh27]

My 1997 Class B has a 3 way Dometic fridge. It does not have an auto setting. I drive with it on 12 volt. It can't run on 12 volt with the engine off, therefore no battery drain. I switch to propane when stopped. I don't like having the main valve open on the propane tank because if I got in an accident the lines would have free flowing gas to explode. If you don't get in accident nor stop to refuel you'll be OK.

[Scottiemom]

We've been fulltiming for going on 13 years, RVing for 40+ years. We leave ours on Auto all the time. When we travel, it switches to propane, when we plug in, it uses electric. Never had a problem.

Dale

[rockhillmanor]

propane

[MrWizard]

run it on propane, it will work fine

you might want to turn it off for a few minutes when you stop to refuel
depends on where your fridge is compared to the fuel tank fill and the pump

[1492]

[ScottG]

From what I found, it has a 2 way, four door Norcold.

[time2roll]

I would almost always run it on propane. Maybe at a long term stay with hookups switch to 120v. I would only use 12v if somehow the other two failed.

[WILDEBILL308]

I seriously doubt you have a 3 way. Put it on auto and go. I use to run my fridge on propane all the time when traveling. Now I have a residential and run it on the Converter, keeps it running when on the road.
Just a add on. You need 12V to power the circuit board at all times it is on. Don't be confused as it is actually powered by 110 or propane.
Bill

[wtravlr1]

I've run my fridges on propane for over 25 years while traveling, never had a problem.

[ScottG]

Are you sure it's a 3 way?
A fridge big enough to be in a 2005, 38' RV would generally be too big to be a three way.
Put it in auto and let it do what it needs to. It's designed to run on propane going down the road and is UL and CSA approved to do so.

[dave17352]

Most run it on propane, some don't say its to dangerous. You could use the 12 volt dc but only when running the engine so your alternator is keeping up with the draw. It will kill and ruin your house batteries in a couple hours without aux juice. The 12 volt dc probably does the worst job of cooling your fridge. Propane first. AC second and in last place 12 volt dc. If its warm out and you don't run you propane fridge for 4 to 6 hours it would almost take a miracle to get it cold again after driving down the road for 6 hours with it off.
So to sum up. If you feel lucky run with the propane on. If you don't feel lucky run with the 12 volt. That's actually what its designed for. Just make sure to get if off 12 volt within a very short time of turning off your engine.

JMHO