Running fridge?
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Category: R-pod Discussion Forums
Forum Name: Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks
Forum Discription: Ask maintenance questions, share your podmods (modifications) and helpful tips
URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1743
Printed Date: 06 Jun 2025 at 10:14pm
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Topic: Running fridge?
Posted By: jayber
Subject: Running fridge?
Date Posted: 19 Apr 2011 at 6:00am
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I had a question about the operation of the refrigerator. How do I turn it on a day or so before I go camping ? Can I use a 30a to 15a adapter and an extension cord ?, or do I do something else. I apologize for such a basic question but when we got our pod delivered we didn't get any walkthru of system operations.
------------- Jay 2010 Honda Odyssey RP 171 aka PodInn |
Replies:
Posted By: David and Danette
Date Posted: 19 Apr 2011 at 7:54am
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We use a 15 amp. adapter for the refrigerator a day before we leave without any problem. We have a extension cord with the 15 amp. adapter connected all the time for tha battery charger. You will not be able to use much more the AC and Microwave would be too much of a load. David ------------- 2018 Vista Cruiser 19BFD (2018- 2012 Vibe 6503 (2014-2019) 2009 r-pod 171 (2009-2014) Middle Tn 2014 Ram 1500 Quad cab |
Posted By: Bigbit
Date Posted: 19 Apr 2011 at 9:05am
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My trailer is in storage about a mile away with no access to 120V, so the evening before my trip, I stop by the storage place, turn the propane on in my rig, flip the battery switch on (I installed a kill switch), fire up a burner on the stove top so that I know that the propane is flowing, then turn the fridge on. I listen carefully to make sure that the gas heater on the fridge is running and that the piezo starter has stopped (it goes "tick-tick-tick-tick-tick" when trying to start the fridge heater). I'm good to go. The next day, when you come to get your rig, you can flip it over to 12V operation once hooked up to your TV.
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Posted By: ToddsPod
Date Posted: 19 Apr 2011 at 11:13am
We keep ours in the driveway plugged directly in to 15amp wall plug with the adapter and surge protector during camping season (almost over in Houston; already waiting for Fall!). That keeps the fridge running and the battery charged for when we need it. I've tried running AC on the 15 amp and had some success, but it's probably not a good idea. It ended up throwing the breaker in the trailer off - which is probably a good thing considering the alternatives.
  Disclaimer: I found this at http://www.uvsconsole.com/clients/howa//files/Understanding%20Your%20RVs%20110v%20Electrical%20System.pdf - http://www.uvsconsole.com/clients/howa//files/Understanding%20Your%20RVs%20110v%20Electrical%20System.pdf and I don't suggest or condone running your AC on 15 amp plug:
What can I run on 15-20 amps?
If you are using an AC adapter/reducer that goes from a 30 amp plug to a 15 amp plug you will be able to use even less AC powered items. Most roof Air Conditioners kick-on at 16-18 amps, and draw a steady current of 12-15 amps. If you are plugged into a 15 amp outlet, it will most likely trip the breaker at the plug/source, even if you do not have any other AC item on. The RVs power converter alone will require 2-6 amps, and this item is ALWAYS ON when the RV is plugged into shore power. PLEASE NOTE: It is recommended that you do not use a 15-20 amp outlet to run an Air Conditioner. It will most likely over-heat the adapter and/or the extension cord and could cause a fire. It is suggested that a 15-20 amp plug only be used for the following; charging the batteries, running a few lights, and running the refrigerator. While on a 15-20 amp plug, make sure you use the water heater on LP gas and limit the use of all other 120v appliances or items that would be plugged into outlets. Techntrek said on another string that the AC uses 1000 watts when running. If Watts = Amps x Volts, then a 15A x 110V wall socket should provide 1650 watts, right? Even if 5A is going to the power converter you still have 10A x 110W = 1100W, which would be enough to run the AC alone, right? I know it takes more to kick on and off, but assuming it can kick on, theoretically it should be able to run.
I'm no electrician, so don't take my word for it, and correct me if I'm wrong. I can take CONSTRUCTIVE critisizm. -------------  
'07 Dodge RAM 1500 ST Longbed QuadCab 4.7L V8 --- '10 Forest River R-Pod 172 |
Posted By: Outbound
Date Posted: 19 Apr 2011 at 3:46pm
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In tests I've done at home, the RPOD plugged in with just the A/C running (converter on but the battery fully charged, the fridge off, the water heater off, the Micro/Convection plugged in but not running, and the TV/DVD plugged in but not running) draws 9.64 amps. http://travel.webshots.com/photo/2782365230105331225HPGKHM">  (click to embiggen) The outlet you see in the picture is wired with 15 amp Romex and is protected by a 15 amp circuit breaker. I've never had any problem running the A/C in my RPOD while plugged into that outlet. All the same, if an extension cord is required, I do not suggest using anything but a 30 amp RV extension cord.
------------- Craig :: 2009 RP171 towed by a 2017 F150 |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 19 Apr 2011 at 9:28pm
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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 ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual 
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Posted By: blissful
Date Posted: 20 Apr 2011 at 12:52pm
 Jayber
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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Posted By: TrinityTurret
Date Posted: 27 Sep 2013 at 2:54pm
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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?
------------- There's only one way... |
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 27 Sep 2013 at 3:18pm
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. ------------- |
Posted By: TrinityTurret
Date Posted: 27 Sep 2013 at 4:05pm
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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 :)
------------- There's only one way... |
Posted By: David and Danette
Date Posted: 27 Sep 2013 at 4:30pm
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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- 2012 Vibe 6503 (2014-2019) 2009 r-pod 171 (2009-2014) Middle Tn 2014 Ram 1500 Quad cab |
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 27 Sep 2013 at 5:24pm
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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. ------------- |
Posted By: TrinityTurret
Date 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
 ------------- There's only one way... |
Posted By: kymooses
Date Posted: 27 Sep 2013 at 8:30pm
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. ------------- https://calendar.google.com/calendar?cid=cnBvZC5zcG90dGVyQGdtYWlsLmNvbQ - RPod Rallies https://www.google.com/maps/d/embed?mid=1W1foQXGtrjf8aYly1uh0b-bHPfI&hl=en_US - RPod Owner Map |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 27 Sep 2013 at 10:48pm
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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 ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual
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