n00b fridge question
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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=6521
Printed Date: 18 Jun 2025 at 6:07pm
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Topic: n00b fridge question
Posted By: JohnBG
Subject: n00b fridge question
Date Posted: 29 Jun 2015 at 12:21am
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When towing the pod, should I be running the refrigerator on propane or DC power? I was thinking propane but a friend who has an RV says that might be a bad idea. ------------- 2010 R-Pod RP-171 2010 Honda Ridgeline TV |
Replies:
Posted By: mcclurey
Date Posted: 29 Jun 2015 at 12:24am
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I run DC because your tow vehicle should be charging the battery while driving if you have the proper 7 pin wiring set up. Why waste propane?
------------- Missouri Matt |
Posted By: JohnBG
Date Posted: 29 Jun 2015 at 12:32am
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The battery I have is pretty weak. Might need to run to Wally World and pick up a new one. ------------- 2010 R-Pod RP-171 2010 Honda Ridgeline TV |
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 29 Jun 2015 at 7:55am
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Unless in an area where it is forbidden, (east coast tunnels, Canada) Feel free to run with propane if you want. It uses very little, and as much as the "sky is falling" people want you to believe they are, America's highways and byways are NOT littered with burned out RV hulks.
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Posted By: john in idaho
Date Posted: 29 Jun 2015 at 11:17am
| But remember to turn off the propane when you are refueling the tow vehicle. Hate to loose the whole rig. |
Posted By: HuronSailor
Date Posted: 29 Jun 2015 at 12:03pm
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In my case propane does a better job of cooling, but DC is more convenient, so we usually use DC. It's adequate but not great. ------------- .: Mark & Beth :: Silverado 5.3L :: 2018 rPod 180 :. |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 29 Jun 2015 at 8:56pm
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I always recommend propane. The charge +12 line must be at least 10 gauge, preferably 8 gauge, in order to just barely keep up with the load of the fridge on DC mode. Most installers install, and factory wiring is, 12 gauge. It is cheaper and appears to do the job. Add in the high amperage from the fridge (11 amps), long run to the rear bumper, 12 gauge on the camper side and that will drop the voltage to the point that the pod battery will support the load for a while and then drop to a low voltage itself. Maybe 2 hours on the road and the air temp in the fridge will start to warm up. If the pod battery is already low that will start right away - even if you do have 10 gauge wire. 8 gauge is barely adequate in that situation. I've run the numbers here before. 15 foot run to the rear bumper, 11 amps, 12 gauge wire, 14 volts from the alternator, and you are at a 4.7% voltage drop. It should be below 2% for DC runs. 10 gauge is just below 3%, 8 gauge is 1.9%. Plus the wiring on the camper side is probably 12 gauge. The run from the tongue back to the fridge is another length of wire not in this equation... add another 10 feet all at 12 gauge and you are at 7.8%! Most larger RVs only have propane as an option on the road. Propane tanks have flow-limiter valves which prevent a huge fire if a line is cut in an accident. Finally forgetting to turn off the fridge at a gas station is no big deal. Gasoline fumes have a very narrow flammability range (too much or too little gasoline and it won't light), it hugs the ground but the flame is 2-3 feet off the ground, and the fumes are diluted by the surrounding air especially if it is windy.
------------- 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: Camper Bob
Date Posted: 30 Jun 2015 at 12:36am
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Doug, you have convinced me. After all these years towing and using the battery to keep the reefer cold, I finally switched over to propane while on the road. With the purchase of the new Nissan Pathfinder, I did some sleuthing and found out that the charge line is indeed 12 gauge. Have towed the last three trips with the propane on until we camp with a full hookup and then transfer to A/C. You made me a believer. Really just sips propane. Safe Travels. ------------- Camper Bob and Camper Sue Gracie the Wonder Dog (12 LB. Mini Dachshund) 2013 Rpod 171HRE(ORPod) 2016 Lance 1685 2015 Nissan Pathfinder |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 30 Jun 2015 at 8:59am
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That too, the pod fridge will go a month on one tank. You could upgrade your wiring, even if you just run a parellel line of 12 gauge that will give you the equivelent of 10 gauge. Or run a 10 gauge in parallel and you will be close to 8 gauge equivalent. I ran another length of 12 so I'm close to 10 now, but I still use propane mode. ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual
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