Changing Automatic setting for Fridge

[kampinguru]

I get propane for basically free and run my fridge on propane full time. I know on auto, the fridge runs on electric and switches to propane in the event of a power failure. I am wondering if there is a way to change it so it runs on propane and switches to electric if I run out of propane.

[kampinguru]

I thought I had a full 30# tank on the trailer and a partial one. It turns out the one that I thought was full was actually empty. I have a 50# tank that I have piped into the system now but I was just wondering what it would take to do and if it was cost effective. I like Doughere's idea but it is above my paygrade to actually make it happen. I am not that good with electronics.

[mlts22]

Assuming (and this is a very rough estimate) one pound of propane used by the refer per day, if the rig is in one location for a while, perhaps buy or rent a large propane tank (250-500 gallons) or get a set of 40# propane bottles and an auto-changeover regulator, swapping one of the 40# bottles out every so often to get refilled.

[doughere]

You could get a pressure switch monitoring the propane; use it to turn the electric off as long as there is pressure, and turn it on if there is a loss of pressure. Leave the reefer in auto.

Doug

[wa8yxm]

Short answer NO (I mean you could do it but the job would cost more than is practical) The reaons is this, Detecting the presence/absence of 120vac is very easy, But detecting when you run out of Propane.. Not so much.

The mother board on the fridge DOES have a flame sensor, if it tries (Likely 3 times) to light the burner and fails to do so it will set off the Fault detector.

But there is no provision to cause that to switch to A/C and while that light is lit the fridge is locked out

Easier would be to sense that light and generate an audio alarm so you manually switch it. Or refill a bit more often.

[2oldman]

I doubt the savings in electric from doing this is much more than a few dollars a month.

That said, other than a modified control board, I wouldn't have a clue.

[ScottG]

No way to make it auto switch to elect. if you run out of PP because as you know, you have to take it off "Auto" to force it to run on PP when 120VAC is present.