Introduce Yourself: Propane Usage

Print Page | Close Window

Propane Usage

Printed From: R-pod Owners Forum
Category: R-pod Discussion Forums
Forum Name: Introduce Yourself
Forum Discription: New Members - tell us about yourself and your r-pod
URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14359
Printed Date: 09 Jun 2025 at 2:24pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.64 - http://www.webwizforums.com

Topic: Propane Usage

Posted By: TexasCruiser
Subject: Propane Usage
Date Posted: 17 Jan 2021 at 8:41pm

I'm a newbie owner of a 2018 RPod 179. I need to understand the use of propane for the stove and when I might prefer using propane for the refrigerator.

Do I simply open the valve to the propane tank, light the pilot light, and voila I have propane to my unit? Or is there more to it?

Then I understand I need a lighter to light the stove, right?

I really wish I'd videoed my initial walk-through with the dealer when I bought it last month.

Thanks in advance.

-------------
TexasCruiser

Replies:

Posted By: lostagain
Date Posted: 17 Jan 2021 at 8:56pm

If you want to use the propane appliances, you need to bleed the propane lines of air. That's really easy to do. Turn the propane on at the tank, then go into your trailer and turn on the stove. In a few seconds propane will arrive at the stove so have a butane lighter lit and at the burner you turned on so when the gas arrives, it'll ignite. Let it burn a few seconds then turn it off. You can then turn on your other gas appliances. They should automatically light. You'll need to chose gas operation for the refrigerator and the water heater. The furnace only operates on gas. They should light after a couple of automatic tries.

-------------
Never leave footprints behind.
Fred & Maria Kearney
Sonoma 167RB
Our Pod 172
2019 Ford F-150 4x4 2.7 EcoBoost

Posted By: Tars Tarkas
Date Posted: 17 Jan 2021 at 9:10pm

There's no old fashioned pilot light to light. You light the stove manually when you turn it on. The fridge and furnace both have electronic ignitions. They make 3 attempts to light and if unsuccessful turn off the gas until you try again.

Use shore power for the fridge whenever possible, propane the rest of the time. Trying to cool the fridge with 12v will run the battery down in no time -- a few hours.

-------------
2010 176
FJ Cruiser

Posted By: Pod_Geek
Date Posted: 18 Jan 2021 at 9:12am

Originally posted by Tars Tarkas

... Trying to cool the fridge with 12v will run the battery down in no time -- a few hours....

Does a 2018 RPod 179 really have a three-way fridge (propane, 12v, 120v)? I know that our 195 is two-way (propane, 120v) and uses very little propane while cooling (although when on shore power we do use that).

I believe that the control board (or whatever it's called) needs 12v, but that's a minimal draw I'm pretty sure.

-------------
2020.5 R-Pod 195 Hood River
2018 RAM 2500 6.4L

Posted By: offgrid
Date Posted: 18 Jan 2021 at 9:56am

Yes. The smaller fridges in rpods are 3 way. The newer larger fridges are 2 way. The 12v operation in the smaller ones is only useful on the road when your tow vehicle alternator can provide the necessary current, it uses too much power for boon docking.

The fridge needs 12v for the circuit boards as you say. The furnace does as well.

If you are boon docking, the fridge and water heater should be on propane.

If you have shore power, both can be placed on 120vac. For the water heater, there is a switch in the outside water heater panel that needs to be turned on, in addition to the circuit breaker in the inside panel. The switch is a bit hidden toward the left side of the water heater when you open the door. You might also want to consider getting a small plug in electric heater for use while on shore power, that will save some propane.

-------------
1994 Chinook Concourse
1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft
2015 Rpod 179 - sold

Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 18 Jan 2021 at 10:01am

We have a 2016 RP179 and the refrigerator is 3-way.

You are correct in that the control board for the refrigerator needs 12V, but it is a very low draw and unless you try to go for an extended period without charging the battery, you won't need to worry about it. I did try to run the 3-way refrigerator on 12V when we first got it only to be rudely awakened when the refrigerator started beeping in the wee hours from our dual 6V batteries being drained. It was then that I decided that if I did not have shore power, I would run on propane. That only recently changed when I upgraded to an LiFePO4 battery and a DC to DC charger which supplies enough power when the TV is running to both charge the battery and supply the refrigerator. Still though, once we stop, the refrigerator goes back on propane if we don't have shore power available. For you, it is shore power or propane.

-------------
StephenH
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,...

http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods
Former RPod 179
Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS