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08-03-2016, 06:47 PM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 16
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A-128S refrig
Hi we now have our 2014 A-128S The ice box is a 3-way. Apparently I have to enable all of the choices from the outside panels on the drivers side. We were told it was an automatic control panel. Not true. Does any one have this type of outside controls and if so what do you think of them.
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08-03-2016, 10:34 PM
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#2
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Site Team
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Goodyear, Arizona
Posts: 33,556
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Never seen any 3 way fridge with an automatic control panel.
Sounds like typical dealer BS.
__________________
Dan-Retired California Firefighter/EMT
Shawn-Musician/Entrepreneur/Wine Expert
and Zoe the Wonder Dog(R.I.P.)
2016 PrimeTime TracerAIR 255, pushing a 2014 Ford F150 SCREW XTR 4x4 3.5 Ecoboost w/Max Tow Package
4pt Equal-i-zer WDH and 1828lbs of payload capacity
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08-04-2016, 08:46 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Napa Valley, CA
Posts: 513
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It is typical for small 3 way (120v, 12v, propane) fridges to have this configuration. The access to controls from outside is relatively easy by removing a panel.
It is part of the getting trailer underway ritual...switch from 120v at home, to 12v while traveling (make sure that your TV is putting out high enough volts to your trailer), and propane at the site if no electric available. Keep in mind that running on 12v without connection to outside power source will run down your trailer battery quickly.
__________________
2015 Rockwood A128S
2010 Rockwood 2604
2014 Ford F-250 CC SB 2WD
2008 Toyota Sequoia 2WD
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08-04-2016, 07:03 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Liberty, NC
Posts: 344
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bikendan
Never seen any 3 way fridge with an automatic control panel.
Sounds like typical dealer BS.
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Our t21QBHW has the 3 way smart fridge with the electronic controls on the door. On auto it looks first for AC, then Gas, then DC and selects the most efficient. We also have the option to select manually ! It is really handy !
2TR is this the one you were expecting ?
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08-04-2016, 08:29 PM
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#5
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Site Team
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Goodyear, Arizona
Posts: 33,556
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Never seen one like that.
__________________
Dan-Retired California Firefighter/EMT
Shawn-Musician/Entrepreneur/Wine Expert
and Zoe the Wonder Dog(R.I.P.)
2016 PrimeTime TracerAIR 255, pushing a 2014 Ford F150 SCREW XTR 4x4 3.5 Ecoboost w/Max Tow Package
4pt Equal-i-zer WDH and 1828lbs of payload capacity
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08-04-2016, 08:34 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Liberty, NC
Posts: 344
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It is the larger 3 way on the High Walls !
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Butch Wilson
2016'Flagstaff T21QBHW A-Frame
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08-04-2016, 08:55 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 3,081
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The High Wall A-frames and PUPs have a larger fridge that is very much like a small TT fridge. Has thermostatic control with auto-ignition, and often a freezer. Controls are inside, not on the outside like us little guys.
For the OP, who has a standard height A-frame, the controls are indeed accessed through the outside fridge vents. Inside the upper vent are the electric controls - an on/off switch for 120v AC and an on/off switch for 12v DC. The AC only has a dial to adjust the amount of cooling (not a thermostat!). Both AC and DC have the same size heating coil so there shouldn't be any difference between the two when the AC is set to max. You use one or the other, not both. The DC coil draws 13 amps and can run your battery down in a hurry if the battery is not being charged by the tow vehicle alternator. Most people only use the DC while towing.
The propane controls are behind the lower vent. There is an on/off valve, a dial to control the amount of gas flow, and a push button igniter. To light, you turn on the gas and hold the on/off knob down while pushing the igniter button. There is no automatic ignition for the propane burner. So if you tow using propane, and the flame blows out, you have no more refrigeration until you stop and relight.
Since there is no thermostatic control, I recommend you buy a battery-powered wireless thermometer ($10 at Walmart) to keep track of how your fridge is doing (especially if there is perishable food in there). I start off with the fridge on the coldest setting. After a day or two, I usually dial back the cooling as the temp stabilizes near freezing.
Fred W
2014 Rockwood A122 A-frame
2008 Hyundai Entourage minivan
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08-05-2016, 03:34 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Clinton, Tennessee
Posts: 399
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I have read about making sure your tow vehicle puts out enough power to run the fridge on 12v while traveling.. I tow with a 2013 Ford f150 with the factory tow package. Do you think it will be ok to use 12v for the fridge while towing? How do I know if the TV is putting out enough to keep the camper battery charged?
__________________
2014 Rockwood Premier A-122S
2013 FORD F-150 STX, Super Cab
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08-05-2016, 04:20 PM
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#9
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Junior Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 16
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Thanks for all the feedback my learning curve is going to be steep since I am almost a flat line to begin I think I have the refrig figured out now. Today was the radio crisis could not get it on then could not get it off now we have mastered that. Will keep a trickle charger on the battery as I have already ran it down as the radio kept playing. Why did I not know this stuff. It is just like in school what was not the test was not what I thought was important.
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08-05-2016, 06:12 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Napa Valley, CA
Posts: 513
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Quote:
Originally Posted by chuck9997
I have read about making sure your tow vehicle puts out enough power to run the fridge on 12v while traveling.. I tow with a 2013 Ford f150 with the factory tow package. Do you think it will be ok to use 12v for the fridge while towing? How do I know if the TV is putting out enough to keep the camper battery charged?
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The way I check is to measure the battery voltage with nothing connected and the fridge off - it should be about 12.6v if fully charged. I then connect the trailer to my TV with motor running and recheck the trailer battery voltage. If the TV is putting out amps to the trailer, the battery voltage will be higher.
Some have pointed out that your TV might need a relay installed in order to put out amps to the trailer.
__________________
2015 Rockwood A128S
2010 Rockwood 2604
2014 Ford F-250 CC SB 2WD
2008 Toyota Sequoia 2WD
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08-06-2016, 10:17 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 1,770
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 2TR
Will keep a trickle charger on the battery as I have already ran it down as the radio kept playing.
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That will certainly do the trick. I put a battery disconnect switch on mine. It's very helpful when dry camping to be assured that every 12V draw off when amp hours are at a premium.
Quote:
Originally Posted by 2TR
Why did I not know this stuff. It is just like in school what was not the test was not what I thought was important.
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Because the sales people don't know it either. Or if they do its like TV salespeople, they feel like the details of the tow package just get in the way of showing you the living room features like the cup holders and entertainment center.
I've had more than one salesman (RV and auto) who told me things that were flat wrong or insisted on correcting me when the right answer was apparent on sight to someone who knew the vehicle. The sales guys get better commissions from selling bigger rigs, so the blame for the lack of interest in popups is as much on the dealer.
The PDI guy probably does know it but is on a time clock so sticks to the basics not the details.
Thankfully we have each other, here.
__________________
Tom
2012 Rockwood A122S
2008 Toyota Tundra Double Cab 4X4
Former owner of a 2002 Coleman Niagara GTE
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