rovobay
Damascus, Oregon (Portland Suburb)
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John & Angela wrote:A handy thing about running a fridge on 12 volt is not having to shut it down at fuel stops. Thats one thing we like about having a residential now. It was never really a pain in a motorhome but a trailer or truck camper was a hassle.
can you elaborate please? (I'm a first time RV buyer and user) pardon my ignorance. Thanks
1999 Cameo by Carriage 26FLS bought in February 2012 (our first trailer)
TV is a 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD 4X4 Crew Cab Short Bed with a 6.6l Duramax and Allison Transmission
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John & Angela
Full Timers in Canada, USA and Mexico
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rovobay wrote:John & Angela wrote:A handy thing about running a fridge on 12 volt is not having to shut it down at fuel stops. Thats one thing we like about having a residential now. It was never really a pain in a motorhome but a trailer or truck camper was a hassle.
can you elaborate please? (I'm a first time RV buyer and user) pardon my ignorance. Thanks
Good morning. If travelling with the fridge on (assuming it is on propane) there is an open flame. This is of course is a fire hazard when fueling, especially with gasoline. By running it on 12 volts there is no flame and therefore no hazard. Those of us that use residential type fridges run them from inverters which of course draw their power from batteries. Again no open flame.
The other option is to simply turn off the fridge and keep the door shut until you get to your destination. They stay cold for a long time if the door is not open. However if you are travelling long days this may not be the solution.
As others have said though, its no big deal if it doesn't have a 12 volt mode. Usually only available on smaller models only (6 cubic foot or smaller) I hope this helps.
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rovobay
Damascus, Oregon (Portland Suburb)
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John & Angela wrote:rovobay wrote:John & Angela wrote:A handy thing about running a fridge on 12 volt is not having to shut it down at fuel stops. Thats one thing we like about having a residential now. It was never really a pain in a motorhome but a trailer or truck camper was a hassle.
can you elaborate please? (I'm a first time RV buyer and user) pardon my ignorance. Thanks
Good morning. If travelling with the fridge on (assuming it is on propane) there is an open flame. This is of course is a fire hazard when fueling, especially with gasoline. By running it on 12 volts there is no flame and therefore no hazard. Those of us that use residential type fridges run them from inverters which of course draw their power from batteries. Again no open flame.
The other option is to simply turn off the fridge and keep the door shut until you get to your destination. They stay cold for a long time if the door is not open. However if you are travelling long days this may not be the solution.
As others have said though, its no big deal if it doesn't have a 12 volt mode. Usually only available on smaller models only (6 cubic foot or smaller) I hope this helps.
duh!!! gotcha! thanks. makes total sense now
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Chris Bryant
DeLand, Florida, USA
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It is definitely not a 3 way- there are no wires to a 12 volt element.
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rovobay
Damascus, Oregon (Portland Suburb)
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Chris Bryant wrote:It is definitely not a 3 way- there are no wires to a 12 volt element.
you sound sure. . . Thanks, I have no experience with any rv refer unit so that was a big help.
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vladen
Louisiana
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You might can find the manual/Schematics for it here
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mowermech
Billings, MT
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Go to the manufacturer's website, and look up the model number.
You will probably find the Owners Manual.
In that manual it will give you the complete operating instructions, including the modes of operation.
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Chris Bryant
DeLand, Florida, USA
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rovobay wrote:Chris Bryant wrote:It is definitely not a 3 way- there are no wires to a 12 volt element.
you sound sure. . . Thanks, I have no experience with any rv refer unit so that was a big help.
If you look at the circled area, you should see the labels for DC heater- with nothing hooked up there.
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AstroRig57
near Tehachapi, CA
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Golden_HVAC wrote:Hi,
It looks like a two way refrigerator, and I question why anyone would want one that runs on 12 volt to heat the ammonia?
The refrigerator will use about 10 amp hours per day to run on propane, with the whole RV using about 35 AH per day to run the refrigerator, propane leak detector and CO monitor. So you can expect the battery to last about 2 nights without using any other lights, furnace, or anything else running.
Fred.
For Fred and others, back when I worked in the RV industry, late 70's to mid 80's, virtually all RVs came with Three Way refrigerators. This is because the propane systems of that era were not reliable, or safe, enough to stay lit while on the road.
Instructions for the systems advised customers to first get the refrigerator cold with either AC power or propane, and to only use the refrigerator on DC power when the vehicle's (or tow vehicle's) engine was running producing sufficient power. As I recall, on some trailers the refrigerators were even wired so that they'd only run on DC directly off the charge line from the tow vehicle, while those on some motorhomes had a relay that allowed DC use only when the engine was running.
Very few current rigs have three way systems...which is testament to the fact that manufacturers, the industry, consumer testing and safety organizations, and government regulators consider modern RV refrigerators to be safe for use on propane while in motion.
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bondebond
Searcy, AR
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Chris Bryant wrote:rovobay wrote:Chris Bryant wrote:It is definitely not a 3 way- there are no wires to a 12 volt element.
you sound sure. . . Thanks, I have no experience with any rv refer unit so that was a big help.
If you look at the circled area, you should see the labels for DC heater- with nothing hooked up there.
So wait. You just proved that it is a three-way, just not wired up for it to work. Gotcha.
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