Traveling with the Fridge question
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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=8441
Printed Date: 24 May 2025 at 8:26am
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Topic: Traveling with the Fridge question
Posted By: 4peas in a pod
Subject: Traveling with the Fridge question
Date Posted: 24 Jul 2016 at 2:53pm
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Hello, Fairly new to the RPOD world (at least from a usability standpoint). What is the best way to keep the fridge on while traveling longer distances? I'm thinking battery vs LP. Thoughts?
Thanks anyone for their consideration! |
Replies:
Posted By: WillThrill
Date Posted: 24 Jul 2016 at 3:03pm
Traveling while using battery power is not recommended as this will usually drain your battery in a matter of hours. You could upgrade the power line going from your TV to the Pod to prevent this, but it's not an easy or cheap fix. Most folks here, including us, always run our refrigerator on propane while traveling and have never had any problem whatsoever. A quick search will reveal extensive discussion about this issue. ------------- "Not all those who wander are lost." Tolkien 2014 Hood River 177 2005 GMC Envoy XL |
Posted By: Timahoy
Date Posted: 24 Jul 2016 at 3:06pm
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I have always used the LP system at it has worked great I would think the battery charge would be depleted significantly if you used it. ------------- Tim & Karen 2016 Rp177 2013 Jeep Wrangler Sport Unlimited |
Posted By: 4peas in a pod
Date Posted: 24 Jul 2016 at 3:31pm
| Thank You |
Posted By: 4peas in a pod
Date Posted: 24 Jul 2016 at 3:31pm
| Thank You all |
Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 24 Jul 2016 at 9:08pm
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Propane is the way to go.
------------- Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
Posted By: jato
Date Posted: 24 Jul 2016 at 9:43pm
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After 5 plus year traveling with our 177, propane.
------------- God's pod '11 model 177 '17 Ford F-150 4WD 3.5 Ecoboost Jim and Diane by beautiful Torch Lake "...and you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free." |
Posted By: mtdave
Date Posted: 27 Jul 2016 at 10:51am
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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? ------------- 2011 R-Pod 176 2009 Chevy Suburban 1500 |
Posted By: CharlieM
Date Posted: 27 Jul 2016 at 11:17am
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IMHO, there is no good use for the 12V option. Maybe as a battery tester. BUT, as you found out, the GM vehicles do not disconnect the truck battery when the engine is not running. TECHNTREK will have some words on this. Someone else will have to address the warning light. ------------- Charlie Northern Colorado OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD |
Posted By: mtdave
Date Posted: 27 Jul 2016 at 11:28am
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Thanks, I'm testing the fridge on gas while at home and will read through the sticky forums. http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723&title=creating-an-instruction-maintenance-manual - http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723&title=creating-an-instruction-maintenance-manual ------------- 2011 R-Pod 176 2009 Chevy Suburban 1500 |
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 27 Jul 2016 at 12:10pm
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. ------------- |
Posted By: Shelpod
Date Posted: 27 Jul 2016 at 4:00pm
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We have a problem with the frig on gas when the outside temp gets into the 50's it won't light consistently. Usually happens at night and we can start it again in the morning. I think it may be the regulator which makes a squeeking like sound that can be heard particularly at night. We only use propane or 120 on ours. The 12v circuit melted and stayed on all the time. Ended up disconnecting the 12v heating circuit. Ruined some rather new batteries. ------------- Pod: 2013 178 TV: 2014 Explorer Limited with tow package |
Posted By: mtdave
Date Posted: 27 Jul 2016 at 9:08pm
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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! ------------- 2011 R-Pod 176 2009 Chevy Suburban 1500 |
Posted By: densmorema
Date Posted: 28 Jul 2016 at 1:12pm
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Just remember your vehicle has to be running while you are on 12v or you might drain both your trailer and tow vehicles batteries in as little as 2 hours. ------------- Mike and Cherie Michigan 2015 R179 2016 silverado |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 29 Jul 2016 at 1:13am
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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. ------------- 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: techntrek
Date Posted: 29 Jul 2016 at 1:14am
There were a lot of bad regulators on the pods early-on. Made odd noises and had supply issues. It is cheap to replace. ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual
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