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techntrek View Drop Down
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Posts: 9062 		Direct Link To This Post Topic: Running fridge?
    Posted: 27 Sep 2013 at 10:48pm

Originally posted by TrinityTurret

Thanks...I just watched a 171 setup video, and the fellow says to run the fridge on propane while driving, and talked about turning it off at gas stations because propane mode uses a flame. Scary...did not want to run it on propane while driving :)

This is truly not something to worry about.  For starters gasoline fumes sink so they will not contact the fridge flame 2-3 feet off the ground.  Also the fume concentration that is flammable is fairly narrow for gasoline - too much or too little and it won't ignite.  So yes, if you use LPG you should turn it off, but don't have a nervous breakdown if you realize you didn't 10 minutes down the road.  I don't think I've ever read of a gas station fire or explosion caused by a RV's fridge flame.
Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
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Posts: 1807 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 27 Sep 2013 at 8:30pm
Originally posted by David and Danette

   This could pertain to our refrigerator only but often we have traveled with 12 volts running the refrigerator and the freezer compartment will not keep foods frozen but using propane it will. If you want ice cream to keep frozen while traveling you may need to use propane. My last trip I used the propane only while traveling and if you are in a rest area for over a hour I would suggest using propane.   David

Hmmm I've not had issues with ice cream or freezie pops with ours on 12v.  We've driven near abouts 6 hours and still had frozen stuff.
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Posts: 58 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 27 Sep 2013 at 6:02pm
I's a skairdy kat, I think, LOL...I googled 'propane rv refrigerator fires', LOL. Kinda like looking 'cancer' in the medical book  Ouch
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Posts: 6128 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 27 Sep 2013 at 5:24pm
No need to be scared of the propane. MILLIONS of RV's out there travel in propane ALWAYS, because they don't have a 12v option. Our fridge in the Pod is just about the largest 12v capable fridge out there.

But, like I said, millions of RV's running propane while towing, and last I paid attention, the highways and byways were not littered with burned out hulks of RV's.  My parents have been RVing hard for 40+ years, and they have never seen or had even second hand knowledge of a propane accident caused by the fridge bieng used while towing. Google it.. a trillion hits telling you how DANGEROUS it is... and yet not a single news article etc about it happening.
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Posts: 1223 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 27 Sep 2013 at 4:30pm
   This could pertain to our refrigerator only but often we have traveled with 12 volts running the refrigerator and the freezer compartment will not keep foods frozen but using propane it will. If you want ice cream to keep frozen while traveling you may need to use propane. My last trip I used the propane only while traveling and if you are in a rest area for over a hour I would suggest using propane.   David
2018 Vista Cruiser 19BFD (2018-              
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2009 r-pod 171 (2009-2014)
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Posts: 58 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 27 Sep 2013 at 4:05pm
Thanks...I just watched a 171 setup video, and the fellow says to run the fridge on propane while driving, and talked about turning it off at gas stations because propane mode uses a flame. Scary...did not want to run it on propane while driving :)
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Posts: 6128 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 27 Sep 2013 at 3:18pm
Originally posted by TrinityTurret

We pick up our 171 next week. Question, please: can the 3-way refrigerator run off the trailer battery during driving, or does it have to use the LP gas?


It can run on 12v, or propane, your call.

If running on 12v, make sure it is pre-cooled, and that your tow vehicle sends a charging level of 12v to the pod. If it doesn't, when you get to your destination, it will probably be with a dead battery.
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Posts: 58 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 27 Sep 2013 at 2:54pm
We pick up our 171 next week. Question, please: can the 3-way refrigerator run off the trailer battery during driving, or does it have to use the LP gas?
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Posts: 53 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 Apr 2011 at 12:52pm
SmileJayber
 
I place frozen water bottles in fridge the night before I leave and this saves on Propane gas usage.  You can plug-into regular outlet using the adapter that goes on your power cord...sold at Wal-mart /RV stores.
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Posts: 9062 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 19 Apr 2011 at 9:28pm

Jayber, as David and Danette suggested, plugging it in the day before will also let you charge the battery overnight (which you should do at least once a month during warm months, plus the night before a trip and the night after a trip if you were dry camping).  Using the 30 to 15 amp adapter will be fine for charging and pre-cooling the fridge in AC mode.

The A/C in the 'pod is fairly efficient as camper A/C's go, so as long as you don't use a household extension cord - as Outbound said - you'll be fine running the A/C from a 15 amp outlet.
Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
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