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How to disable propane >> Yeah another fridge topic.

Kayteg1
Explorer II
Explorer II
In my previous RVs I liked to travel with propane off at tanks as safety measure.
The older fridge models had manual switches that when I opted for 120v from inverter - they would stay or die on this mode.
Motorhomes had bigger charging wires, so running fridge for couple of hr on house batteries, still would recharge them when I continue driving later.
Now I would like to do the same on TC and having built-in inverter on my truck, would be nice to take advantage of it and secure 120V cable from truck directly to the fridge plug.
My dilemma is the computerized system, that when I stop at gas station and turn the truck off - in lack of 120V the computer will start sparking the igniter and with lack of propane it will spark for a while.
That brings safety concern at gas station as well.
So for those who are good with computer controls - how to override the propane option and let the fridge go off or into 12V mode when 120V turns off?
58 REPLIES 58

Kayteg1
Explorer II
Explorer II
toddb wrote:
You can always add https://www.arprv.com/

we did a 3200 mile trip this summer, pretty much along the rockies. The fridge stayed on but performed terrible, into the low 50s until we parked and stayed still. I'm finishing my compressor conversion now.


When automated system is good, you can buy a probe for about $20 and do your own monitoring.
$40 buys you WI-FI probe that will send alarm to your cellphone.
We just finished 8000 miles trip and our packed fridge performed very well, even flame got blown few times. Not bad for 18 years old unit.

otrfun
Explorer II
Explorer II
toddb wrote:
You can always add https://www.arprv.com/

we did a 3200 mile trip this summer, pretty much along the rockies. The fridge stayed on but performed terrible, into the low 50s until we parked and stayed still . . .
We've installed ARP's on our last 3 RV's. Some fridges seem to be much more sensitive to off-level conditions than others. On a previous TT we had similar issues as you where the ARP was shutting down the unit all the time with the slightest off-level condition. Granted, it's a pain, but it's better than destroying the fridge. We've experienced none of these issues with our current fridge (Dometic DM2663). We've been in some very off-level situations while traveling through a number of mountain passes in CA, UT, and CO, with not a single shutdown. Boiler temps seem to stay consistently around 185-190 C.

pianotuna
Nomad III
Nomad III
Hi,

Please start a thread on your conversion? Thanks in advance.


toddb wrote:
You can always add https://www.arprv.com/

we did a 3200 mile trip this summer, pretty much along the rockies. The fridge stayed on but performed terrible, into the low 50s until we parked and stayed still. I'm finishing my compressor conversion now.
Regards, Don
My ride is a 28 foot Class C, 256 watts solar, 556 amp-hours of Telcom jars, 3000 watt Magnum hybrid inverter, Sola Basic Autoformer, Microair Easy Start.

toddb
Explorer
Explorer
You can always add https://www.arprv.com/

we did a 3200 mile trip this summer, pretty much along the rockies. The fridge stayed on but performed terrible, into the low 50s until we parked and stayed still. I'm finishing my compressor conversion now.

otrfun
Explorer II
Explorer II
Gotta say, the burned out fridge opening on the Cardinal 5th wheel looks like a pretty convincing argument the fridge boiler overheated. Then again, ya never know. Maybe someone thought storing flammables in the fridge compartment was a great idea--lol!

Kayteg1
Explorer II
Explorer II
Was checking upcoming Copart auction and they have 3 RV listed.
1 has crushed front, but the 2 looks like refrigerator fires to me.
Coincidence?



jaycocreek
Explorer II
Explorer II
Grit dog wrote:
Can you not find a spot level enough to park the truck? Too far out of level for the fridge is either a pretty good side hill or get out and put a rock In front of the wheel steep.


Virtually all my camping is done in the hills and a pullout is anywhere you can get into and out,so not most of the time..If I have one issue with any RV,it is the RV refer..There super expensive even just replacing the unit..I like my beer cold so I do not slowly kill the refer being off level...

Buying a used Rv one looks for water damage and it's really a roll of the dice on the refer even when you see it running and working..All RV's leak sooner or later so one just has to deal with it and try your best to keep it sealed up...

The refer on the other hand can die a slow death like cancer from someone just thinking they know it all and off level is know biggy..It is,atleast for me...
Lance 9.6
400 watts solar mounted/200 watts portable
500ah Lifep04

Kayteg1
Explorer II
Explorer II
Per my experience the fridge has problem being out of level when restarting.
Camping in warm places, my fridge basically never would cycle off and on occasion I did park my RVs on slopes (presently I take advantage of TC jacks to level it on each stop).
But when I bought my Lance - looks like PO put lot of guards on back vents to protect from winds. I removed them as I did not see need, but guess what?
This summer we drove to Alaska, where in colder weather fridge was cycling and my flame was going off quite often.
So my procedure was to set the thermostat to max when taking off.

Grit_dog
Navigator
Navigator
GeoBoy wrote:
Kayteg1 wrote:
Talking about "you never know" scroll to 1:21
Extremely rare accident, but can you imagine the consequences of open propane tank on this RV?

Can you find a video with a meteor striking a TC in Great Basin NP.:B


Probably.....

If one spends enough time worrying about things, it can become a problem in ones mind.
2016 Ram 2500, MotorOps.ca EFIlive tuned, 5” turbo back, 6" lift on 37s
2017 Heartland Torque T29 - Sold.
Couple of Arctic Fox TCs - Sold

Grit_dog
Navigator
Navigator
jaycocreek wrote:
I rarely travel with the refer on, instead i put one of two frozen gallon jugs in the refer for those unlevel fishing holes or hunting spots... Once at camp and level, I have ice cold drinking water... Once everything is cooled down before leaving, the ice jugs last at least two days...I rotate them out at home ever other day in our hot temps to keep my beverages cold...

RV refers running going to and from, are a pain having to be level to stop anywhere for any length of time..


That's a great solution if you have the room in your fridge, but not a sustainable solution except on 2 day trips like you suggest.
Question though, becasue I haven't experienced it. Can you not find a spot level enough to park the truck? Too far out of level for the fridge is either a pretty good side hill or get out and put a rock In front of the wheel steep.
2016 Ram 2500, MotorOps.ca EFIlive tuned, 5” turbo back, 6" lift on 37s
2017 Heartland Torque T29 - Sold.
Couple of Arctic Fox TCs - Sold

jaycocreek
Explorer II
Explorer II
GeoBoy wrote:
Install an ARPRV control and don’t worry about off level situations and refrigerator fires.


Maybe..Since RV refrigerators started out as ice box's with a drain to the outside,I wish they offered that option now..A plate or something with a drain on the bottom that snaps into place on one of the racks to give the RV owner the option to use ice blocks when necessary then switch to propane or electric when your going to be level for a while...

I am not into spending the big bucks for these bandage fixes for an AC that won't run on one of the baby generators or a Refer off level,if that even works..
Lance 9.6
400 watts solar mounted/200 watts portable
500ah Lifep04

GeoBoy
Explorer
Explorer
Kayteg1 wrote:
Talking about "you never know" scroll to 1:21
Extremely rare accident, but can you imagine the consequences of open propane tank on this RV?

Can you find a video with a meteor striking a TC in Great Basin NP.:B

Kayteg1
Explorer II
Explorer II
Talking about "you never know" scroll to 1:21
Extremely rare accident, but can you imagine the consequences of open propane tank on this RV?

GeoBoy
Explorer
Explorer
jaycocreek wrote:
I rarely travel with the refer on, instead i put one of two frozen gallon jugs in the refer for those unlevel fishing holes or hunting spots... Once at camp and level, I have ice cold drinking water... Once everything is cooled down before leaving, the ice jugs last at least two days...I rotate them out at home ever other day in our hot temps to keep my beverages cold...

RV refers running going to and from, are a pain having to be level to stop anywhere for any length of time..

Install an ARPRV control and don’t worry about off level situations and refrigerator fires.