Refrig on 12V August 17, 2013, 09:19:06 am Yahoo Message Number: 142038I have been running the frig on propane when traveling down the road but I was curious about the 12V option. I have upgraded my converter to a Progressive Dynamics and the house batteries charge much quicker whether off the alternator or the Onan generator. This tells me that there is better efficiency now. If I run it on 12V will the frig drain the batteries as I drive or will the alternator keep up? Will the frig stay cool enough? (I cool it down on A/C a day before prior to leaving) I have read that mileage suffers a bit due to the added load on the alternator. I can't imagine too much but does that added load harm the alternator in any way? I plan on being road bound my first day for 9 or 10 hours.I have the 460 V8 in my '95TK.
Re: Refrig on 12V Reply #1 – August 17, 2013, 10:48:49 am Yahoo Message Number: 142039Ran mine this way for several days when I was having propane problems. Only when driving. Would probably be OK for a couole of hours with engine not running. It draws about 30 amps DC, about the same as headlights? Only problem I had was hot wiring due to some loose connections. 2 T105, Prowatt 1000. I doubt you will notice any gas mileage difference. Fridge temp was normal.Roger and Elizabeth Bootsthekitty '02MB "Playpen"Visit the Quartzsite Board: http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/LazyDazeQuartzsite/ Visit Roger's Ramblings, Kitchen Craft, and RV Recipes http://rogersramblings41.blogspot.com/
Re: Refrig on 12V Reply #2 – August 17, 2013, 11:26:18 am Yahoo Message Number: 142041"I have been running the frig on propane when traveling down the road but I was curious about the 12V option."TedAssuming your 460 has the 130-amp alternator, there should be no problem running the refrigerator off the inverter, while the engine is operating. The problem comes the day you forget to switch it back to propane, once arriving at your destination. Been there, killed the battery. You could wire in a relay that would automatically turned the inverter off when the engine isn't running, adding another layer of complexity and more things to go wrong. Some do run on battery power as a safety feature in case of an accident that shears a propane line. The propane tank has an cutoff valve that shuts the flow down if it exceeds a calibrated level, protecting the rig from a broken propane line. The amount of propane saved in minimal, since the refrigerator is very efficient. There probably isn't any cost savings due to the slightly increased gasoline consumption. The longer we RV, the simpler I like things. YMMVLarry
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