When I drive home the 06 Monaco Executive, How should i handle the refrigerator?The seller removed the Maytag Refer and had Camping World install a 4 door gas/elec Fridge.( I read that one should NOT run the propane while driving, so I think I want to avoid that...)Can i run it via the elec using the inverter? and how is that done?I have a ton of Systems and sub-systems to learn as this will be my first DP and I haven't RV'ed for the last 8 years...Which systems should I study first and is there any specific checks I make before I drive it home?

unless there is something weird abt the RV fridge there's no reason not to run it on propane. we had lp/elec fridges in our motor hones for 30-yrs and always ran them on propane while driving.

The refrigerator you have now is what is usually found in rv's, except some of the newer ones coming equipped with residential refrigerators. You can run the frig on propane, but you don't have to. If it is cold with cold and frozen food, it will maintain it's temperature or go up just a couple of degrees for 6-8 hours unless you open the door frequently. We travel with ours off and then run it on propane when we stop for lunch for 1/2 hr or so, then travel another 3-4 hours to our destination. Never a problem with the temperature. We do open it at lunchtime to get what we need for our lunch.The refrigerators of this type( gas/elect) are all either Norcold or Dometic in all rvs whether a trailer, 5th wheel or motorhome.

It's difficult to be on here for 12 years and miss conversations about refer on while driving.Just use the gas.. it's fine.

We run the gas, but either is good.

Tom/Barb wrote:We run the gas, but either is good.OK that seems to be the consensus...2oldman wrote:It's difficult to be on here for 12 years and miss conversations about refer on while driving.Just use the gas.. it's fine. This post is curious to me. At a glance, I would agree with you, but wouldn't you think If I knew refer-while-driving issues, I would still be asking the question? :hSo, to explain how that could be:In 2005, I bought a 1999 Gas National Dolphin 31' and had to do a lot of fixin. the refer wasn't an issue as I drove everywhere with the gas on...So, after about 6 fun filled years, we sold the RV and Remodeled our REntal unit, because we had no other money.Fast forward to last week when we said we should buy another Motorhome. Obviously, the $486,384.00 Sticker price in 2006, of the Rig is a big step up, and I wanted to find out about it, and what other items I should be addressing on my first drive.I don't have any recollection of the issues surrounding RV's where the fridge caught on fire...So, Again, I thought we should NOT run the rig while the gas is on, and a few here, including you say it's OK...

Do you know the answer to the Monaco Question...?

Ocean_Mist
Explorer
Jun 08, 2017
jorbill2or wrote:
The rv refridge can run on electric with a heating element or propane providing the heat for the cooling process. Yes your inverter , assuming it's wired to run the refridge ( many aren't , yours is custom so who knows) can handle the job while underway as your engine will more than enough , charge the batteries while driving. The big downside is if however when you stop , you forget to turn in back to propane you will drain the battery quickly if not on shore power or running the generator. This is why many original rv fridge units aren't powered through the inverter.they aren't designed to run off battery power. A modern home style electric only refrigerator such as the maytag your unit came with is much more efficient when on electric than the rv model running on electric you now have.
It's unusual for someone to go back to a gas rv refrigerator as they are very expensive. 3500 for the unit plus labor and the gas re plumbing required. The prior owner must have boondocked a lot and not wanted to upgrade the batteries and install solar or run a generator.

ah, I see thanks for clarifying that up Bill. the refrigerator is probably one of the most important systems the RV has, I mean for hte interior, with the Toilet a close second...lol

Once i acquire the Rig, I will be able to find out which frige is in there. The Rig is getting some satellite installed for about $3k.
The seller, a tycoon in the construction business, said, when he found out it was broke, "Don't try to fix it, just throw another one on..."

So I assume that's how he managed most issues surrounding the RV.

He also, siad he doesn't like Residential frige in RV, so he had them take out the Maytag and install the one that works on gas/elec...

I'm curious if it has any recalls completed or if it was installed with recalls already done.

Oh, and I think i remember him telling me that it has upgraded from 4 to 8 batteries....and then 2 more for the chassis?
jorbill2or
Explorer II
Jun 08, 2017
The rv refridge can run on electric with a heating element or propane providing the heat for the cooling process. Yes your inverter , assuming it's wired to run the refridge ( many aren't , yours is custom so who knows) can handle the job while underway as your engine will more than enough , charge the batteries while driving. The big downside is if however when you stop , you forget to turn in back to propane you will drain the battery quickly if not on shore power or running the generator. This is why many original rv fridge units aren't powered through the inverter.they aren't designed to run off battery power. A modern home style electric only refrigerator such as the maytag your unit came with is much more efficient when on electric than the rv model running on electric you now have.
It's unusual for someone to go back to a gas rv refrigerator as they are very expensive. 3500 for the unit plus labor and the gas re plumbing required. The prior owner must have boondocked a lot and not wanted to upgrade the batteries and install solar or run a generator.
jyrostng
Explorer
Jun 08, 2017
Your inverter is 2800 watts, more than enough for the ref. . just look at the condition of the house batteries. That inverter has the capability to drain those batteries quickly if their not in good shape when your parked and not plugged in or running the generator.
Ocean_Mist
Explorer
Jun 08, 2017
jplante4 wrote:
Someone will correct me if I'm wrong (I'm sure of that :) ) but isn't a newer residential fridge more efficient than a AC/gas fridge running off the inverter? In other words, wouldn't it be better to run a RV fridge on gas, even if it's wired to the inverter?

So when you say "Newer Residential frige" do you mean the ones like in our house that plugs into the 120volt?

But, then you are saying to run it off the Gas for efficiency, and now I'm confused...lol I thought i had it...
Ocean_Mist
Explorer
Jun 08, 2017
Executive wrote:
06 Executive. Norcold 1200RIM. You have an inverter that will run the fridge while underway. It's an automatic fridge so I'd leave it on propane while traveling. Never had any issues with ours.

So this inverter, will run your frige on Elec, but you still run on propane? I will probably do the same thing as well, but Im curious of the rationale as to why you would run on propane instead of elec? I'm not questioning your motives, just trying to see the thought process...

On another note: Call Monaco @ 800-509-3417 with the last 6 digits of your VIN and/or your coach number which will be by the entry door on the RVIA sticker. They will email you the build sheet for your coach with serial numbers etc. Very helpful....Dennis

Yes, I did get the Data, sheet from Dennis up there in Coburg, OR

Is there anything I should look at in particular? It says I have the Maytag Fride, so obviously the fridge was changed out, but since it origionally came with a Maytag Frige, Theoretically, I could swap the Norcold, with a Regular frige...?

On a side note, I did find out I have the TRW Steering unit!

Oh! i just saw that you have the 525hp as well. Your is a ISM adn mine is an ISX. Are you aware of the differences?
Ocean_Mist
Explorer
Jun 08, 2017
msmith1199 wrote:
On my Tropical, the 110 volt outlet for the fridge is not hooked through the inverter. So I can only run it on gas/12 volt or with shore power. I keep it on the "auto" setting so when I unplug it runs on gas and I haven't blown my RV up yet. I don't even turn it off when fueling.

I'll find out what frige is in there. There are so many ways these things can run, and at least I know what to look for. Thank you!
Ocean_Mist
Explorer
Jun 08, 2017
jyrostng wrote:
If you want to , you can run the frige off the inverter while traveling. the alternator will maintain the battery charge. If you need to add a inverter, find the breaker going to the refrigerator outlet and splice in the inverter at that breaker outlet to the refrigerator. the inverter I use is a triplite that has a transfer switch and charger built in so it's a pass through when the generators running or you're plugged in.

Good info!
Ocean_Mist
Explorer
Jun 08, 2017
Nutinelse2do wrote:
Leave the propane on for the fridge during travel. It's the same as your 99 Dolphin.

If it's a Norcold fridge, call them with the model #, and serial #. They will tell you if the mod has been done, or if it's even needed. If not, have Premier/ Premium, where the coach is, do the mod for you. Takes them all of 10 minutes to do it.

If you want to run it off the inverter, turn the inverter on, and switch the fridge over. Easy peasy.

This is the kind of helpful informatin i really needed. I was getinga bit overwhelmed, and just needed a friend to kinda walk me thru the process...

I mean I'm the same way. I like to make it as easy as possible and as clear, when I'm helping other friends in that particular hobby..

The seller had the Maytag Residential Frigerator in there, so I assume it's all plumbed for the Residential Frige...

On the Data Sheet it says I have the MAGNUM MS2812 Inverter. Is that one sufficient power, desired one?
jyrostng
Explorer
Jun 08, 2017
Convenience and Efficiency Have some relationship. running on propane, you will eventually have to refill the tank, running on the inverter with a DP, I am sure you will never notice a milage difference in fuel consumption. Because the ref. uses quite a few amps on 120v I switch to gas when parked and not connected to exterior power. There were a few recalls on dual fuel refrigerators in the past because of a fire hazard. I think the industry has eliminated that problem.

Back to your original post: I feel like the most complicated system in a rv is connecting up at a park, filling the water tank, and having all the valves switched correctly for what you're trying to do
that being said, I would concentrate on the water system.

That assumes you know how to drive that big thing already.
jplante4
Explorer II
Jun 08, 2017
Someone will correct me if I'm wrong (I'm sure of that :) ) but isn't a newer residential fridge more efficient than a AC/gas fridge running off the inverter? In other words, wouldn't it be better to run a RV fridge on gas, even if it's wired to the inverter?

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