Skip to main content ↑ ↓
Topic: Travel with Refer 12V or LP ? (Read 960 times) previous topic - next topic

Travel with Refer 12V or LP ?

I know this is really a basic question, but I am new to our GV and RV's.  It has the 3 way refer (with an auto or manual setting), and I was wondering if 12V or LP was the preferred way on the road? 

Thanks in advance....

Re: Travel with Refer 12V or LP ?

Reply #1 –
Propane has more BTU's of cooling (sounds funny, but true) than the 12 VDC element.  At best, the 12 VDC element will maintain temperature.  If that is enough, use 12 VDC.  If not, switch to propane.

Note: Because of poor cooling, the 12 VDC elements has been eliminated from all newer absorption refrigerators.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Travel with Refer 12V or LP ?

Reply #2 –
Thanks,

 I prefere to use LP but was wondering if there was any chance of it blowing out when traveling?

Re: Travel with Refer 12V or LP ?

Reply #3 –
In the summer we run the ACs so the generator is on and it is on electric.  If it is not too hot I will just run the dash air and propane.  I do not have 12 volt on this coach but it was not as strong as the electric or propane.  I have driven 300K miles and it never blew out even with huge winds that caused me to stop driving.
2025 Wanderbox Outpost 32 on F600 Expedition Motorhome
2015 Born Free Royal Splendor on Ford 550 nonslide version  for sale
Former Coaches  covering. 360,000 miles
1999 34 U270
2000 36 U320
2001 42' double slide U320
2018 Jeep Rubicon

Re: Travel with Refer 12V or LP ?

Reply #4 –
I used to travel with it on propane but am sure here in Canada it is illegal if I am not mistaken, and when on ferries etc tanks have to be shut down. Do not worry anymore on that issue.
John H
Coachless, now use aircraft. 2003 Ford Travelair TC280 class C. Super shape. Just for 1 yr .
1994 Ford E350 ClassC,total renovation inside and out. Now sold.
2000 U295  36' Cummins 350 c/w Banks Stinger, Resonator upgrade,Solar, LED lites.Residential fridge with slide out pantry. Build 5674. Sold
ex 92 GV 022C ored Cummins. Sold
ex 95 GV240 cat 3116. Sold
2017 Mini cooper s & 2016 land Rover LR2 HSE  LUX.
jhaygarth@aol.com    SKP #130098
treat everyone as you would like to be.

Re: Travel with Refer 12V or LP ?

Reply #5 –
Quote from: John Haygarth –
I used to travel with it on propane but am sure here in Canada it is illegal if I am not mistaken, and when on ferries etc tanks have to be shut down. Do not worry anymore on that issue.
John H

John,

Propane off while on ferries, in tunnels, and while fueling, yes.  But would like to see any link to it being illegal to drive with refrigerator on propane in Canada.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Travel with Refer 12V or LP ?

Reply #7 –
Brett, looks like you could be right regarding the use while driving in Canada. I maybe figured that as you cannot go thru tunnels etc etc without turning it off you may as well leave it off.
John h
Coachless, now use aircraft. 2003 Ford Travelair TC280 class C. Super shape. Just for 1 yr .
1994 Ford E350 ClassC,total renovation inside and out. Now sold.
2000 U295  36' Cummins 350 c/w Banks Stinger, Resonator upgrade,Solar, LED lites.Residential fridge with slide out pantry. Build 5674. Sold
ex 92 GV 022C ored Cummins. Sold
ex 95 GV240 cat 3116. Sold
2017 Mini cooper s & 2016 land Rover LR2 HSE  LUX.
jhaygarth@aol.com    SKP #130098
treat everyone as you would like to be.

Re: Travel with Refer 12V or LP ?

Reply #8 –
We normally use propane for the refrigerator while underway.  And we have had it blow out in a strong cross wind.  Another alternative is to use the inverter to run the frig while underway.  I talked to a person here at the Four Corners Rally that just installed an electric refrigerator and that is what he does.  I checked the manual for the Dometic frig we have (AC/propane) and it doesn't give the amp draw.  Does anyone do this (i.e., use their inverter to run the frig while underway).
The selected media item is not currently available.
George Hatfield

  Never ever use World Line Motors of Nacogdoches for service!

Re: Travel with Refer 12V or LP ?

Reply #9 –
So what if it blows out? It re-lites. 12 V is free and is only on with the ignition switch.
1994 U280, Build 4490
Deming, NM.

Re: Travel with Refer 12V or LP ?

Reply #10 –
When the propane flame blows out a "check" light comes on.  Ours does not relight by itself.  One has to re-select "gas."

Question.....A number of Dometic refrigerators in FT coaches have failed recently.  Were these failures in the "gas" mechanism or in the refrigerator overall?  In other words, if one avoided using propane, would the refrigerator likely last longer? 

The selected media item is not currently available.
George Hatfield

  Never ever use World Line Motors of Nacogdoches for service!

Re: Travel with Refer 12V or LP ?

Reply #11 –
George, The killer for Absorption reefers is corrosion.  The piping is enclosed in insulation and condensation wets the insulation as reefer is turned on and then turned off.  The damp eventually corrodes the piping from the outside in and then the refrigerant leaks out and you smell ammonia.  I have heard that leaving the reefer on all the time might extend the life4 but I have never seen and documentation.
Gary B

Re: Travel with Refer 12V or LP ?

Reply #12 –
Quote from: George Hatfield –
When the propane flame blows out a "check" light comes on.  Ours does not relight by itself.  One has to re-select "gas."

Question.....A number of Dometic refrigerators in FT coaches have failed recently.  Were these failures in the "gas" mechanism or in the refrigerator overall?  In other words, if one avoided using propane, would the refrigerator likely last longer? 



They fail because they are old, operated out of level or both. Here is a good read for the reasons: Why They Fail

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: Travel with Refer 12V or LP ?

Reply #13 –
I spoke to David Force of RV Cooling Unit Warehouse whom I consider the most knowledgeable RV Fridge guy I've found. He states that the most common problem other than complete failure due to a leak or chemical lockup is bad heating elements. If the cooling unit behind the outside door doesn't show a lot of rust or signs of leaking and fridge is just not cooling as it should, turn off all power and gas to the fridge, disconnect the electric heating elements from the board, there are usually two, and check them for continuity. It there is not continuity in one, replace it. If one has much higher resistance than the other, replace that one. The cost is usually under $100. If the fridge doesn't work well on gas, make sure the flew (chimney) is clean and open, then pull out the burner and clean the gas orifice. If that doesn't work, replace the orifice (jet) with the correct size.

If none of the above fixes the problem, then you may need to replace the entire cooling unit but only do that if the condition of the rest of the fridge is in good shape and the seals are good. The old Dometics can go for twenty or thirty years or more if taken care of.

Overloading is the most common reason for under cooling.
The selected media item is not currently available.Kent Speers
Locust Grove, OK
1993 U300 SSE 40' (Restored at FOT 2009) Build 4323
720 watts Solar
6V92TA DDEC Silver Engine
2014 Subaru Outback

Re: Travel with Refer 12V or LP ?

Reply #14 –
Kent
Thanks for the great info.  It's always good to know how to trouble shoot something like these refers before giving up and just buying a new one.  That being said, I hope our last a very long time, very important to have chilly cold beers!

Traveling with the refer on propane worked out perfect for us......

Re: Travel with Refer 12V or LP ?

Reply #15 –
We have found that our fridge works better on gas than on electricity. If I want my beer really cold, I cool it with gas.
The selected media item is not currently available.Kent Speers
Locust Grove, OK
1993 U300 SSE 40' (Restored at FOT 2009) Build 4323
720 watts Solar
6V92TA DDEC Silver Engine
2014 Subaru Outback

Re: Travel with Refer 12V or LP ?

Reply #16 –
George Hatfield, I'm thinking you have problems which may be serious down the road. It should re-light. This from Dometic website :

When the system chooses LP gas operation, the flame failure
device is automatically opened, allowing the gas to flow to the
burner. At the same time, the electronic igniter is energized.
After initial installation, servicing, or changing gas cylinders
etc., the gas pipes may contain some air that should be allowed
to escape by briefly turning on the refrigerator or other appliances.
This will ensure that the flame lights immediately.
If the flame goes out (by gust of wind etc.), the reigniter will
automatically relight the flame.
1994 U280, Build 4490
Deming, NM.