Geo Pro 19BH 12V refrigerator

Double Jay · 12-15-2021, 12:38 PM

My 2021 Gro Pro 19BH came with a 12V refrigerator. I found the refrigerator operates when shore power connected and stops when shore power disconnected. When no shore power connected, I have to turn on the inverter to run the refrigerator. From the messages I read here, it seems the refrigerator should be able to run without turning on the inverter. Am I right? Is there a switch somewhere to do this? Last summer I ran the refrigerator with invertor on and the battery was dead quickly.

Thanks.

W5CRE · 12-15-2021, 01:23 PM

This is interesting. Your refrigerator, according to specs and your statement, is a 12vdc unit. The inverter has absolutely nothing to do with it. The inverter supplies 120vac to your trailer from 12vdc so, yes, having it on will drain your battery. Your fridge on the other hand doesn't use any of that 120vac. Your fridge only uses 12vdc. If your fridge only works when on shore power then you have a bad battery. Plugging into shore power provides 120vac to the CONVERTER which converts 120vac to 12vdc to charge the battery and power 12vdc systems. When not connected to shore power the battery powers all 12vdc systems including the fridge unless you disconnect the battery with the BATTERY DISCONNECT SWITCH or a fuse is blown in the battery to control panel wiring.

NJKris · 12-15-2021, 02:29 PM

Are we sure those new fridges don't work on AC power too? When available? That would explain why it is working when inverter is on. No idea why not working on DC, unless a blown fuse, or battery disconnect switch is set to disconnect (of course, that would cause other problems, so I'm sure it's not that).

Double Jay · 12-15-2021, 04:17 PM

I checked the fridge label and it operates on 115V -- not on 12V! I just called the dealer and he said this is a warranty issue and he can help me to replace it with a 12V fridge free of charge. Now comes to another question -- does the 12V fridge have a switch to turn it ON or OFF? I don't want the fridge running all the time cause it will drain the batteries.

Thanks.

W5CRE · 12-15-2021, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NJKris

Are we sure those new fridges don't work on AC power too? When available? That would explain why it is working when inverter is on. No idea why not working on DC, unless a blown fuse, or battery disconnect switch is set to disconnect (of course, that would cause other problems, so I'm sure it's not that).

I am sure all 2021 and 2022 Geo Pro travel trailers use 12 vdc ONLY refrigerators unless the OP has a one off modified trailer. It will NOT work off the inverter.

There are a lot of posts about these fridges not working well for some and working great for others but I've not read any other posts for not working at all.

Double Jay · 12-15-2021, 04:26 PM

I have the label read as:

"Amps-1.4A Volts - 115V Hertz - 60Hz "

It's made in 10-2020 by Frigidair. Model is FFPS4533UM

The trailer is 2021 Geo Pro 19BH which was bought in Jan. this year.

Thanks.

NJKris · 12-15-2021, 04:32 PM

Then as you already know, it will only run on shore power unless you inverter is on. So glad I got mine when they were still installing dual power, AC or propane fridges.

W5CRE · 12-15-2021, 04:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Double Jay

I have the label read as:

"Amps-1.4A Volts - 115V Hertz - 60Hz "

It's made in 10-2020 by Frigidair. Model is FFPS4533UM

The trailer is 2021 Geo Pro 19BH which was bought in Jan. this year.

Thanks.

Well, I for certain learned something new today. I've been looking at Geo Pro's off and on all year and every model I've looked at had a 12vdc fridge in it. Maybe they only started using them in the 2021 1/2 models. Or, maybe you actually have a 2020 model year sold in 2021. There were a lot of changes around this time.

Even the 2021 model year Geo Pro brochure says 12vdc fridge.

Aha, with further research I found the 2020 model year had a Auto Gas/Electric Refrigerator. This really changes things. Your refrigerator will need both AC and DC to function electrically and both Propane and DC to function off gas. The AC or gas will be used to heat the absorption element and the DC (battery) power is needed to run the controls.

My apologies if my mistake confused anyone.

jsalbre · 12-15-2021, 05:24 PM

They're all supposed to have 12v fridges in them for the last two years, but a number got stuck with 120v only fridges due to supply issues.

NJKris · 12-15-2021, 05:31 PM

Yes, COVID really screwed things up, then much to dismay of those with inadequate battery banks, they had 12v only fridges. Lots of changes lately. I grieve for those without propane fridges. One propane tank can run a fridge forever it seems like, and the DC power for the controls is next to nothing.

Double Jay · 12-15-2021, 05:47 PM

This is true. I spoke with the dealer today and they said the fridge can be replaced with a 12V one under the warranty. I just figured it out I have a 110V fridge today!

If you want a 12V fridge, you may want to call your dealer now.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jsalbre

They're all supposed to have 12v fridges in them for the last two years, but a number got stuck with 120v only fridges due to supply issues.

NJKris · 12-15-2021, 05:49 PM

Wonder what they do with all the residential fridges that get returned. Maybe you can make an offer and get it cheap, use it under your bar at home or something!

jsalbre · 12-15-2021, 06:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NJKris

Yes, COVID really screwed things up, then much to dismay of those with inadequate battery banks, they had 12v only fridges. Lots of changes lately. I grieve for those without propane fridges. One propane tank can run a fridge forever it seems like, and the DC power for the controls is next to nothing.

I would much rather have the 12VDC fridge that I have in my E Pro than a 2 way propane/120VAC fridge like I had in my Airstream. There are two fewer vents on the outside and no propane connections to deal with, plus there’s not the enormous finned heat exchanger taking up space inside and needing to be scraped of ice on a regular basis.

The factory battery and solar setup isn’t enough to run the fridge indefinitely, but adding one more panel and/or swapping to a 100Ah lithium battery will pretty much keep it running forever, unless you park in a cave everyday. The charge from most tow vehicles on the 7 pin is fairly close to the power drawn by the 12v fridge all on its own.

I don’t even have to turn the propane on unless I want to use the stove or furnace.

I should note before someone comments, I have no fear of propane, I just prefer the simplicity of the 12v.

jsalbre · 12-15-2021, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NJKris

Wonder what they do with all the residential fridges that get returned. Maybe you can make an offer and get it cheap, use it under your bar at home or something!

They probably put them in the next trailer that rolls down the line!

NavyLCDR · 12-15-2021, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by W5CRE

Well, I for certain learned something new today. I've been looking at Geo Pro's off and on all year and every model I've looked at had a 12vdc fridge in it. Maybe they only started using them in the 2021 1/2 models. Or, maybe you actually have a 2020 model year sold in 2021. There were a lot of changes around this time.

Even the 2021 model year Geo Pro brochure says 12vdc fridge.

Aha, with further research I found the 2020 model year had a Auto Gas/Electric Refrigerator. This really changes things. Your refrigerator will need both AC and DC to function electrically and both Propane and DC to function off gas. The AC or gas will be used to heat the absorption element and the DC (battery) power is needed to run the controls.

My apologies if my mistake confused anyone.

Double Jay has a 115v AC only refrigerator. It has no connections for 12v DC nor propane. It has a 63" power cord that plugs into the standard AC outlet. The reason likely being, as was stated previously, they were out of 12v only refrigerators and substituted the 115v AC only refrigerator.

JDR76 · 12-16-2021, 07:28 PM

That's wild. My 2021 has the 12V fridge. I've been very happy with it as it'll run for a few days without shore power without issue, and I like that it continues to work while I'm driving down the road. My ideal situation would be a 12V / propane fridge, but I don't think they make those.

NavyLCDR · 12-16-2021, 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JDR76

That's wild. My 2021 has the 12V fridge. I've been very happy with it as it'll run for a few days without shore power without issue, and I like that it continues to work while I'm driving down the road. My ideal situation would be a 12V / propane fridge, but I don't think they make those.

They make 3-way refrigerators. I had one in my 2019 Geo Pro. Here's one:
https://www.campingworld.com/norcold...B&gclsrc=aw.ds

I have a 2-way absorption refrigerator in my current trailer, but it is AC/Propane.

Tyler-98-W68 · 12-17-2021, 09:59 PM

2021 Geo Pro 19BH with the 12v Fridge it operates seamlessly between 12V DC and Shore power with nothing needed to be changed.

It doesn't really have an "off" switch, you just turn the temperature control dial to "0"

tomkatb · 12-17-2021, 11:29 PM

They saved likely a few hundred dollars building the rv over a gas electric. That fridge would draw up to 17 amps dc per hour. How big is the lithium battery bank?

440scout · 01-01-2022, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Double Jay

This is true. I spoke with the dealer today and they said the fridge can be replaced with a 12V one under the warranty. I just figured it out I have a 110V fridge today!

If you want a 12V fridge, you may want to call your dealer now.

If it were me I would jump on that dealer offer asap. Although with an inverter it could operate without shore power (for a while). The disadvantage to using an inverter is that the inverter pulls more amps from your batteries to convert 12 volts DC to 120 volts AC. Because a 12 volt fridge pulls power directly from the batteries, it stands to reason that it will be easier on your batteries.

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