fridge on propane - Event Date: 23 Jun 2022 - 23 Jul 2022

Originally posted by offgrid You could consider changing to a 12V compressor fridge as an alternative to a replacement absorption fridge. These are very efficient and work well regardless of the ambient temperature, but they do use more energy from your 12V power system.

save the original!!!!   jpp

Just my two cents. When it comes time to replace our fridge, I will stay with the 3 way absorption fridge. Fewer moving parts to vibrate to pieces and the versatility of having 3 power sources. 

If you want reliability the compressor fridges beat the absorption ones hands down.

The good 12V compressor fridges use the Danfoss compressor system. This product has been in use for around 40 years in all kinds of mobile and stationary applications, very well proven. It is the go to solution for cruising sailboat refrigeration, where they have to work for months or years on end in the tropics with no access to parts or repair services.

I personally installed many in medical clinics in Africa and latin America in the early 80s. The downside in the past was heavy and expensive batteries and solar power systems to run them. That is no longer the case. If you look at the higher end boondocking RV market most have gone to this system now.

Running an RV fridge better on propane since they are absorption refrigerators with no compression system compared to the typical house fridge, they  are ideal for RVers. The amount of propane usage base on the different propane tank sizes.  there is about 4.6 gallons propane in a standard 20 lb tank or grill cylinder, it gives around 11 to 12 days. A 30 lb propane tank can power your 8 cubic feet fridge that uses 1500 BTUs per hour for at least 18 days.