I have had both. 12 volt is hands down the safest. How many times have you shut off your propane while gassing up? Dangerous. Electric frig -- never. How many RV have you seen sitting of the side of road, burned up? nearly all are because of the gas refrigerator. Yes, I have seen 4 over 30 years of travel, and that is just the West coast.
Just for safeties sake, learn to use the 12 volt Refrigerator. For one thing, 2024, the Lithium batteries are dirt cheap right now, and half the weight of all other batteries. Not only that, the Lithium Iron can be installed anywhere -- anywhere -- in a closet, under a table, in an outside storage. They are safer than lead acid. To top it off, Solar has gotten way cheaper also. If your RV already has Propane, well, they are reliable, if you like soft ice cream and questionable temp stability and less storage, I would keep it. But, if buying a new rv or used, with a 12 volt refrigerator, have a couple of extra batteries added. Most of the new RVs come with the 190-200 watt solar, mine did, and a dual battery (wet), I ran them out -- found an excuse to add 4 lithium batteries -- two under the steps, two in a storage, and a Laptop backup under the outside storage under the dining table. All five batteries only a pinch heavier in total to the two wet batteries I removed. 200 amp, bumped up to 400 + 100.
Some in the book docking group constantly talk about parking in the shade, as if that is a must. Some have solved this solar problem with portable panels. I have a couple myself -- easy set up, just find that sunny spot. Or park in a place where you get shade, but maybe not all day. Whatever, work it out. No more listening to the gas fire ignite over and over again trying to keep up with outside temps going up into the 90s.
Some have mentioned problems that they have had with the 12 volt frig. There is always a learning curve, and it is not like no one has ever had a problem with the propane types. The outside venting and roof venting with leaves and other unwanted things getting -- the 12 volt is completely closed off to the outside elements. There is one problem that will never be solved. You can hear this faint hum in the background. Most notable when everything is quite -- while noise, but ever so light -- that is the compressor working. It is not constant, but when you listen for it, you can hear it. But, then, you most definitely can hear the gas kick on and off in a Propane unit, and the flame roaring, some louder than others, or you will hear the clicking of the electric ignitor trying to get the propane to light.
No, I am not selling 12 volt refrigerators. But, for the Motorhome crowd, just know that some other free spirits, hikers, adventure seekers, and minimalist, have been using portable 12 volt refrigerators of various sizes for a couple of decades now, and I would assume that if they did not work or were unreliable, or some other problem that could not be overcome, those folks would not be using them.
One thing -- for the newer RV with the 12 refrigerator installed already, these come with a dual converter/charger -- with a switch to place your charge over to Lithium battery charging. If you have an RV that you are going to remove a gas for a 12 volt, you will have to look in the proper charging system, so, more bucks. Of course, if you do not trust the new, cheaper Lithium's for RV us, then no need, just stay with the lead acid -- up to you.
I hope this has brought some commons sense, sense back into the discussion. about Propane over 12 volt or 12 volt over propane. Teaching an old dog new stuff -- at 82 I am too old for tricks, but new stuff. I does seem, however, after searching out the forum for advice about the new wave of RV refrigerators a lot of old dogs are gnawing on old bones.
I plan on testing out my batteries and see how far I can get. And yes, I was very happy with my 12 volt frig, until one very cold night in the Sierras and running the heater fan did run the batteries out the second night, but I think that little problem is now solved with the addition of the new batteries. We will see. I want it to work, my wife loves the extra space, and I love the rock hard Ice Cream.
peace Dan
Just for safeties sake, learn to use the 12 volt Refrigerator. For one thing, 2024, the Lithium batteries are dirt cheap right now, and half the weight of all other batteries. Not only that, the Lithium Iron can be installed anywhere -- anywhere -- in a closet, under a table, in an outside storage. They are safer than lead acid. To top it off, Solar has gotten way cheaper also. If your RV already has Propane, well, they are reliable, if you like soft ice cream and questionable temp stability and less storage, I would keep it. But, if buying a new rv or used, with a 12 volt refrigerator, have a couple of extra batteries added. Most of the new RVs come with the 190-200 watt solar, mine did, and a dual battery (wet), I ran them out -- found an excuse to add 4 lithium batteries -- two under the steps, two in a storage, and a Laptop backup under the outside storage under the dining table. All five batteries only a pinch heavier in total to the two wet batteries I removed. 200 amp, bumped up to 400 + 100.
Some in the book docking group constantly talk about parking in the shade, as if that is a must. Some have solved this solar problem with portable panels. I have a couple myself -- easy set up, just find that sunny spot. Or park in a place where you get shade, but maybe not all day. Whatever, work it out. No more listening to the gas fire ignite over and over again trying to keep up with outside temps going up into the 90s.
Some have mentioned problems that they have had with the 12 volt frig. There is always a learning curve, and it is not like no one has ever had a problem with the propane types. The outside venting and roof venting with leaves and other unwanted things getting -- the 12 volt is completely closed off to the outside elements. There is one problem that will never be solved. You can hear this faint hum in the background. Most notable when everything is quite -- while noise, but ever so light -- that is the compressor working. It is not constant, but when you listen for it, you can hear it. But, then, you most definitely can hear the gas kick on and off in a Propane unit, and the flame roaring, some louder than others, or you will hear the clicking of the electric ignitor trying to get the propane to light.
No, I am not selling 12 volt refrigerators. But, for the Motorhome crowd, just know that some other free spirits, hikers, adventure seekers, and minimalist, have been using portable 12 volt refrigerators of various sizes for a couple of decades now, and I would assume that if they did not work or were unreliable, or some other problem that could not be overcome, those folks would not be using them.
One thing -- for the newer RV with the 12 refrigerator installed already, these come with a dual converter/charger -- with a switch to place your charge over to Lithium battery charging. If you have an RV that you are going to remove a gas for a 12 volt, you will have to look in the proper charging system, so, more bucks. Of course, if you do not trust the new, cheaper Lithium's for RV us, then no need, just stay with the lead acid -- up to you.
I hope this has brought some commons sense, sense back into the discussion. about Propane over 12 volt or 12 volt over propane. Teaching an old dog new stuff -- at 82 I am too old for tricks, but new stuff. I does seem, however, after searching out the forum for advice about the new wave of RV refrigerators a lot of old dogs are gnawing on old bones.
I plan on testing out my batteries and see how far I can get. And yes, I was very happy with my 12 volt frig, until one very cold night in the Sierras and running the heater fan did run the batteries out the second night, but I think that little problem is now solved with the addition of the new batteries. We will see. I want it to work, my wife loves the extra space, and I love the rock hard Ice Cream.
peace Dan
