Propane usage for a Refrigerator

A propane gas leak left unattended could result in an explosion. Propane is heavier than air and will settle on the bottom of the camper until it gets high enough to be within range of a spark and then it is all over. I have seen this happen with vacation homes in Tahoe and with boats. The only good part is that usually no one is around when they blow up.

We empty our fridge and then tape a foam block on the door to keep it from closing and it is fine for months at a time.

1 pound of propane is appx 21,600 btu.
1 gallon of propane is appx 91,000 btu.
Look on you frig label and calculate from there. You will have to guess at the time the propane is used.

I would say a pound (1/4 gallon) of propane a day is a rule of thumb.

As for starting/stopping the fridge, what I do is bring along several hard-sided freezer packs. When loading the perishables, I toss one in the freezer, two in the fridge part, and with a little Valterra fan going, this will get the temperature down immediately. When I flip the fridge on, it just has to maintain the temperature.

If there is room in the freezer, I then move freezer packs to there, so that when done with the fridge, I can move all the perishables out, shut it off, and use the airing positioning cards to ensure the doors stay open and air circulates.

Hi,

I believe the 300 ma are to run the circuit board. The gas valve draws about 1 to 1.5 amps. Duty cycle is a whopping 2:3, so I'd count on about 1.5 amps per hour of run time, or 36 amp-hours per day.

RJCorazza wrote:
My fridge uses 0.25 gal propane per 24h in moderate summer temps. As has been mentioned, DC electrical use is an important factor. I estimated about 3 amps per 24h for mine, But it could be as high as 7 amps - I am not sure if it uses the 300ma constatantly, or only when cooling.

The starting and stopping isn't a concern in my book. There's simply too many out there that never see constant duty for me to believe you gain anything. In fact I see it as quite the opposite, it has a finite functioning lifespan and your using a good portion of that limited lifespan cooling nothing. I'd be more concerned about only using it when level than I would about any stop/start wear.

My fridge uses 0.25 gal propane per 24h in moderate summer temps. As has been mentioned, DC electrical use is an important factor. I estimated about 3 amps per 24h for mine, But it could be as high as 7 amps - I am not sure if it uses the 300ma constatantly, or only when cooling.

Thank you for the responses. We sold our acreage and moved to a city lot a couple of years ago. I used to leave my MH plugged in all throughout the summer I had electric right at the MH now I can only leave the TT at the house for a couple of days before going on a trip. There is no electric at the storage lot. I do have an extra battery so that might buy me a little. I can also go over once a week and run my generator to replenish the batteries. I might look into a solar panel as my TT is pre wired for solar. And then again maybe I will just go over a couple days before we go and start the refer. I just wonder how hard it is on it to start and stop the Refrigerator.

We have noticed very small use of propane on our reefer. However, we do leave it running on our house electrical system between trips.

More To See wrote:
On a recent 34 day outing in relatively cool weather we used 10 gallons of propane. That was mostly for the fridge and heating morning water for coffee. Nothing else.

10 gallons???

That is almost 1 1/2 30# cylinders (7.1 gallon per 30#)

We have gone 6 weeks on just one 30# using fridge, stove top and oven.


OP.....

Propane and electric are relatively the same when it comes to heating rv fridge.
Our fridge is plugged in 24/7 while parked along side of house.
Only thing running is converter/charger and fridge........costs roughly $40/month.
Just propane would be alot cheaper in that it would only be for fridge..........but no batteries being maintained.

For that $40/month I have the convenience of a 'man cave', guest quarters and an rv ready to GO-NOW if needed.


DO you have electric available at storage?
Cause running it fridge on propane will not cost much.....maybe a 30# cylinder every 2 months BUT how will you recharge batteries every 7-10 days???

On a recent 34 day outing in relatively cool weather we used 10 gallons of propane. That was mostly for the fridge and heating morning water for coffee. Nothing else.