Traveling with the Fridge question - Event Date: 24 Jul 2016 - 29 Dec 2016

Originally posted by mtdave This is good to know. I thought that the 12 volt option was for when you were traveling. What is the 12 volt option good for, it doesn't seem to keep the fridge very cold and it seems to use quite a bit of juice? I accidentally left the fridge on 12 volt after we returned home on Sunday evening with the truck still connected. By morning the truck barely started. Whew! I also tried running the fridge on gas over the weekend and the warning light kept coming on. Anyone have advice on running the fridge on gas?

The warning light will come on if there is an issue with gas flow, ignition, or 12v power supply.
Gas was on? Line purged by lighting burners? It attempted to light? You should hear some clicks when it does. Battery was charged? You actually switched to gas mode with the button?



As a side note. We use 12v when traveling. Our truck sends 30A to the trailer, has a relay that disconnects the power to the trailer when the truck isn't running. We have never noted a cooling difference between modes, but I admit I have never bothered to test it directly. We have a thermometer hanging in the fridge, I look at it when I open the door, it's always somewhere below 40F, (unless I just left the door open or added something warm etc) regardless of mode, so I don't worry about it. We have pulled 10 hours, in +85F temps, arrived and the fridge was >40F and the batteries were at full charge.

With dual T-105's we can run on 12v, disconnected, for several hours (6-8 depending on ambient temps )before the voltage drop gets scary. But once set up, we switch to 120v or gas, as needed.

I ran the fridge all day on propane and made ice in the freezer without any warning lights. I must have had something wrong this past weekend. I made sure to burn the stove a minute or so before lighting the fridge this time. Fired right up!

Agree with all, the 12 volt mode is a bad option for most vehicles since auto companies and aftermarket installers like U-Haul all use 12 gauge wire to supply the +12 pin on the Bargeman outlet, which isn't big enough.  Add in a depleted camper battery after a weekend off-grid and you've lost the game before you even start home.  All of the larger rigs with ammonia-absorption fridges only have propane and 120 volt modes (no 12 volt).  Just use LP and avoid the problems.  Use 120 volt mode at home and in-camp if you have an electric hookup.