Refrigerator propane use?

okdrifter · 06-14-2011, 02:06 PM

Roughly how long will a 30 lb. tank last running the frige?

Thanks

**Herk7769** · 06-14-2011, 02:09 PM

If it is just the fridge (and you don't open it too much) you can easily get a month from a 30 pound bottle of propane. If you cook or heat it will be much less.

okdrifter · 06-14-2011, 02:17 PM

Thanks Lou, I need to get it ready for a trip. I want to leave it at the storage lot instead of bringing it home. So if I turn it on tonight it should be good to go Thrusday morning. I hope.

**Herk7769** · 06-14-2011, 02:39 PM

Make sure it is full when you start!

Can't tell you the last time I "ran out" on a "full" bottle.

okdrifter · 06-14-2011, 03:40 PM

I just got back had to charge the battery a little with the truck. I was thinking if they were or half way can't remember.

Oh well.

HemiCab · 06-14-2011, 04:56 PM

Lou what do you mean by "too much"? I have it planned to start mine early for a trip and that statement made me wonder. One full turn of both tanks (2 - 20 lb tanks).

DF5.4 · 06-14-2011, 05:01 PM

I think he means if you don't open the fridge too much. Open the tanks all the way. The valve seals closed and it also seals the stem when all the way open. If it's only open partially there is a chance the propane will leak around the valve.

MtnGuy · 06-14-2011, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HemiCab

Lou what do you mean by "too much"? I have it planned to start mine early for a trip and that statement made me wonder. One full turn of both tanks (2 - 20 lb tanks).

I think Lou meant not to open the fridge door too much......that will take the take temperature up quickly. I load ours in a couple of shifts. The temperature will go up loading, I then let it come back down before the next batch. But if everything is already cold (as it should be), it ain't a gonna matter all that much.

If you have the automatic regulator switch over valve, turn the pointer to 1 tank (your last used tank, regardless of level), turn on both tanks slowly (so the over fill protection valve doesn't slam shut), and also open the valves all of the way.
When the supply tank goes empty, the system will automatically switch to the 2nd tank. Move the switch to the 2nd tank, remove the 1st tank, fill, replace, and the process starts all over again. If you move the switch to the 2nd tank, you don't even have to shut down the system to fill the 1st tank.

MtnGuy · 06-14-2011, 05:03 PM

Doug, you beat me posting by just 1 minute.

HemiCab · 06-14-2011, 05:09 PM

Thanks

Misunderstood the "open too much" part. If this is the last time I do that, I will have to remind my DW.

DF5.4 · 06-14-2011, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mtnguy

Doug, you beat me posting by just 1 minute.

I typed a shorter answer.

**Herk7769** · 06-14-2011, 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HemiCab

Lou what do you mean by "too much"? I have it planned to start mine early for a trip and that statement made me wonder. One full turn of both tanks (2 - 20 lb tanks).

Oh, I meant the fridge DOOR! Not the bottles!

(OH and I should have read all the posts before posting this -

Always open the bottles FULLY. I always open BOTH bottles (especially if you are on shore power!) just in case one bottles runs out early. Always have propane available if food is in the fridge! If the campground loses power the propane will keep your food safe till power is restored and it will aurtomatically go back to AC when power comes on.

okdrifter · 06-14-2011, 05:26 PM

Once the gas starts do you still need the battery?

**Herk7769** · 06-14-2011, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by okdrifter

Once the gas starts do you still need the battery?

Yep! Without DC available the fridge will not work on AC or Gas.

okdrifter · 06-14-2011, 05:32 PM

Thanks plan B needs to be put in to effect.

ken0042 · 06-14-2011, 06:29 PM

^^ I was just going to ask that. How much DC power does the fridge use when running on propane? (Assuming you could turn everything else off.)

caper · 06-14-2011, 06:39 PM

The condition of the battery will determine how long the fridge will stay on propane. If the battery is not fully charged it might be dead before Thursday. The battery should also be charged before moving the TT. The breakaway switch for the brakes will not work with a dead battery.

DF5.4 · 06-14-2011, 07:46 PM

If your fridge has a climate control on it, turn it off. I've seen it as a switch under the control panel in the freezer door jam. It is an electric heating element in the door seal that keeps moisture from building up on the seals. It will kill a battery fast.

**Herk7769** · 06-14-2011, 10:53 PM

On 12VDC and Propane my DM2652 uses 1.2 amps when actually cooling (almost none when not). So say without opening the door it turns on for 10 minutes every hour to keep the frozen stuff frozen it will average 1/6th of 1.2 amps every hour or 0.2 amps average.

If the fridge and the propane leak detector (0.2 amps constantly) are the only things using power and you start with a fully charged 75 amp hour battery, then your battery will last 75 divided by 0.4 amps or 187 hours.

7.8 days.

This is NOT what you will get. Just what I think you might get under optimum conditions. If the camper is in direct sun on the side of the camper with the fridge you will get less. Maybe much less if its hot out and it runs more often.

G. CLIMATE CONTROL

During the summer months of high temperatures and humidity, the metal frame between the freezer and fresh food compartments may have water droplets forming. The number
of water droplets will increase if the vehicle isn't air conditioned during these months.
This refrigerator comes standard with a 12 volt (DC) climate control that will evaporate the water droplets when they form.To have the climate control on, you position the switch ("C",
Figure 10) located beneath the top decorative strip that houses the control panel to ON. The climate control can be left on continuously or only used when temperatures require
it.

! CAUTION

THE CLIMATE CONTROL WILL DRAW 12 VOLT DC POWER CONTINUOUSLY WHEN IN THE "ON" POSITION. IT SHOULD BE TURNED "OFF" WHEN A CHARGING
SOURCE IS NOT AVAILABLE. IT WILL QUICKLY DRAIN THE CHARGE FROM A BATTERY.

**Terier** · 06-15-2011, 12:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by caper

The condition of the battery will determine how long the fridge will stay on propane. If the battery is not fully charged it might be dead before Thursday. The battery should also be charged before moving the TT. The breakaway switch for the brakes will not work with a dead battery.

Isn't there power to the breakaway switch when it plugged into the truck and the engine is running?

On another note - it was suggested to me not to have both propang tanks open at the same time so that you will have to switch over when the first tank is empty. By doing it that way you will know when you are actually using the second tank. Of course there are pros & cons for either way so it's a matter of choice.

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