adding propane to an 'all electric coach'

[bukzin]

Kind of a odd-ball question here...


A buddy just picked up his new Class A, forty footer.

Now he is thinking he wants to add a 3-way fridge (120v, propane and 12v)
and a propane tank. He thinks he wants to boondock
and his batteries are drained in 24 hours or less now.




Anyone care to ball-park a guess as to how much
this mod might run to do?

Any thoughts on the concept?


Thx!

[Ivylog]

Only area on outside of MH burnt through and it's a 04 Dynasty. Inside totaled. Even at this angle I can tell it's a NoCold 1200... I've seen over 15 at Copart salvage vehicle sales.

[MrWizard]

dougrainer wrote:

az99 wrote:
Doesn't his 40' have a generator to charge the batteries? Show him a photo of one of the RVs that burned to the ground from a faulty propane frig.

Lets also look at the You tube Video's of RV's that burnt to the ground from OTHER than a LP refer. MORE of those than supposed causes by an LP refer. Doug

I think many RV fires are started in the engine compartment or the brakes overheating
Of course this is while moving
Most stationary aka parked fires start either the fridge or some overheated electrical components

[Big_Katuna]

If its a new 40' I can guarantee it has at least four six volt batteries.

If he ran them down in a day, it wasn't the elec fridge; he must have been using the microwave, coffee maker, etc on the inverter.

He can go days on batteries with just the fridge and lights.

If he wants to run the other stuff, you have to run the genset.

If he wants to do more than a little dry camping, he needs to add solar and a battery meter and maybe an auto start option the the genset to start it when the batteries get low.

FYI a four door two way fridge like a Norcold 1200 will cost north of $4K. Not including plumbing the tank, etc. Just the unit.

Many folks take out their Norcold and replace with residential when they fail.

[dougrainer]

You CANNOT install an LP tank in a Storage area. In Texas, ( I am sure other states have similar laws/regulations), you must install ANY LP system/appliance is accordance with the Regs and laws. Installing an LP tank will be a problem. It is BEST to install an ASME tank on a motorhome. But, the tank will have to be vented and vented to the GROUND. Installing an DOT portable will still require a mount to pass regulations. You are not allowed to transport DOT tanks in a Storage area in Texas even tho lots of RV'ers do. Doug

[dougrainer]

az99 wrote:
Doesn't his 40' have a generator to charge the batteries? Show him a photo of one of the RVs that burned to the ground from a faulty propane frig.

Lets also look at the You tube Video's of RV's that burnt to the ground from OTHER than a LP refer. MORE of those than supposed causes by an LP refer. Doug

[az99]

Doesn't his 40' have a generator to charge the batteries? Show him a photo of one of the RVs that burned to the ground from a faulty propane frig.

[mpierce]

MOST RV fridges these day are two way, NOT three way. They run on 120 and propane. Most have quit the 12v mode, not much need.

[horton333]

The load from an electric fridge is not all that high, so I'll guess the rig does not have much of a battery. More battery would be a cheaper and simpler than adding propane to a class a.

[toedtoes]

crasster wrote:
It's not popular with everybody but the amount of fridge problems that I come across both in person, at the shop, and here on the net I would run not walk from 3 way fridges. All electric IS a bit more limiting in terms of boondocking, but MOST people do not boondock. Also, you can store several ice packs in a regular freezer that will keep things cold for a long time while on the road. In order to do what he wants, it's possible, but he will be looking at $1.2k for the fridge hoses, exhaust, etc.

I agree with your premise, but for folks who DO dry camp (whether boondocking or in campgrounds) like the OP's friend, it doesn't matter what "most" people do - it matters what HE wants to do.

[bukzin]

Kayteg1 wrote:

kknowlton wrote:
Haven't seen a 3-way fridge in many years.

I have one on my 2004 camper.
They do exist, but cost money, so manufacturers are trying to nickle and dime the build.

Not sure what you mean.

[pianotuna]

Far cheaper to add solar (or more solar). I'd consider LI batteries if the unit will not be used at -20 c (-4 f).

[Old-Biscuit]

Battery bank, inverter, solar are easier/cheaper than adding propane system and propane fridge

Several on here have dumped the propane fridge , gone residential and boondock

[crasster]

It's not popular with everybody but the amount of fridge problems that I come across both in person, at the shop, and here on the net I would run not walk from 3 way fridges. All electric IS a bit more limiting in terms of boondocking, but MOST people do not boondock. Also, you can store several ice packs in a regular freezer that will keep things cold for a long time while on the road. In order to do what he wants, it's possible, but he will be looking at $1.2k for the fridge hoses, exhaust, etc.

[Kayteg1]

kknowlton wrote:
Haven't seen a 3-way fridge in many years.

I have one on my 2004 camper.
They do exist, but cost money, so manufacturers are trying to nickle and dime the build.