Running the fridge while driving - R-pod Owners Forum

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sailor323

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Joined: 11 Jun 2015
Location: S Central KY
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Posts: 281

Topic: Running the fridge while driving
Posted: 08 Jun 2016 at 6:56am

We always run the fridge on 12V when driving.

Leo B

podders Helping podders - pHp

Joined: 13 Jan 2012
Location: Lyndonville, VT
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Posts: 4508

Posted: 08 Jun 2016 at 6:42am

Welcome to the group! We run out refrigerator while traveling all the time.We will usually plug it in at home for a day or two before we head out and then run it on the battery between locations.
You just need to keep track of the outside temps. It will definitely effect how well your fridge will maintain temp. If it is really hot out, it can drain your battery fairly quick.

Leo & Melissa Bachand
2017 Ford F150
2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk
Previously owned
2015 Rpod 179
2010 Rpod 171

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Posted: 08 Jun 2016 at 6:38am

Welcome to the group!

Most every rig you see going down the road is running the fridge on propane. The problem with running the fridge on 12 volts is that the wiring harness going back to the Pod's battery has too small of a conductor and DC drops quickly with distance. The fridge draws more amps than is delivered by the tow vehicle.

alansbrown View Drop Down

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Joined: 07 Jun 2016
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Posts: 4

Posted: 08 Jun 2016 at 1:38am

Just picked up our 182G and are getting acquainted with it. I'm curious about running the fridge while driving. I've heard conflicting things about running the fridge of 12V battery power while driving. Some say my tow vehicle should be able to keep the R Pod battery charged while it runs the fridge, and others say the fridge will draw faster than my tow vehicle can charge, leading to a dead battery after several hours. While technically possible, running the fridge on propane while driving doesn't seem to be a good idea and was clearly discouraged from the dealer.

Any experience with this? Suggestions? Besides a big cooler and lots of ice?

Thanks!

Alan & Kristi

Brown Family on the Move
R-Pod 182G
2014 GMC Sierra 1500 Crew Cab

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sailor323 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 11 Jun 2015 Location: S Central KY Online Status: Offline Posts: 281	Topic: Running the fridge while driving Posted: 08 Jun 2016 at 6:56am
	We always run the fridge on 12V when driving.

Leo B Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 13 Jan 2012 Location: Lyndonville, VT Online Status: Offline Posts: 4508	Posted: 08 Jun 2016 at 6:42am
	Welcome to the group! We run out refrigerator while traveling all the time.We will usually plug it in at home for a day or two before we head out and then run it on the battery between locations. You just need to keep track of the outside temps. It will definitely effect how well your fridge will maintain temp. If it is really hot out, it can drain your battery fairly quick.
	Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171

Guests Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Guest Group	Posted: 08 Jun 2016 at 6:38am
	Welcome to the group! Most every rig you see going down the road is running the fridge on propane. The problem with running the fridge on 12 volts is that the wiring harness going back to the Pod's battery has too small of a conductor and DC drops quickly with distance. The fridge draws more amps than is delivered by the tow vehicle.

alansbrown Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 07 Jun 2016 Online Status: Offline Posts: 4	Posted: 08 Jun 2016 at 1:38am
	Just picked up our 182G and are getting acquainted with it. I'm curious about running the fridge while driving. I've heard conflicting things about running the fridge of 12V battery power while driving. Some say my tow vehicle should be able to keep the R Pod battery charged while it runs the fridge, and others say the fridge will draw faster than my tow vehicle can charge, leading to a dead battery after several hours. While technically possible, running the fridge on propane while driving doesn't seem to be a good idea and was clearly discouraged from the dealer. Any experience with this? Suggestions? Besides a big cooler and lots of ice? Thanks! Alan & Kristi
	Brown Family on the Move R-Pod 182G 2014 GMC Sierra 1500 Crew Cab