Quick guidance on LP fridge

[FatBuoy]

Hey guys. Or gals? So, we are out camping for the first time. Remote and unplugged. Have the fridge running on lp. When I turn the main power off (the switch above the driver’s seat), the lp light on the fridge goes off. Is the fridge still running on the gas? Don’t want to leave the power on if I don’t have to.

[chin_k]

It need 12 VDC to run the control board while on propane. No power, not going to run.

[Scott]

It need 12 VDC to run the control board while on propane. No power, not going to run.

What does it draw? That'd be helpful for folks to know.

(I don't have a propane fridge so I don't have anything to measure)

[FatBuoy]

It need 12 VDC to run the control board while on propane. No power, not going to run.

Thanks for the speedy assistance!

[chin_k]

What does it draw? That'd be helpful for folks to know.

That's a tricky question. If you look at the reference section of the Forum, there is the documentation on the fridge. I am looking at Norcold 6052, and which does not have the defroster (6062 does, for example, and add another 240 mA for the humidity heater), and it says <500 mA for auto ignition. There is a interior light, which draws 300 mA. I think the lamp comes on to heat the fridge during normal dehumidifying operation, so the current draw depends on what state/model the frig is in. Minimum is 500 mA, and can be as high as 740 mA to 800mA depends on if the defroster or the lamp is used. It is not that high, but still significant that it won't operate for long on LP "alone" without the solar panel or other way to recharge the battery.

The DC mode takes a whooping >14 A (depends on voltage. The higher the voltage, the hotter the heating coil, the lower the resistance, and the more amperage it will draw). It will drain the coach batteries quickly if you don't have multiple solar panels or other way to recharge the batteries. The wire to the frig is 8 AWG IIRC, the largest one in the DC panel that goes to the accessories.

[68camaro]

I have only been running frig on LP while boonedocking. Recently had to stay at RV park (ugh....), when plugged into shore power should frig be on DC or AC?

Chuck

[Jlfchinook]

I run mine on 110 ac from park, a lot of units do not even have 12 volt anymore due to high demand on batteries.

[caconcourse]

I have only been running frig on LP while boonedocking. Recently had to stay at RV park (ugh....), when plugged into shore power should frig be on DC or AC?

Chuck

Fridge should be on AC when plugged in. DC is very inefficient and will drain batteries in about an hour when not plugged in. Charger may not even keep up. We used to run the fridge on DC when driving, counting on the alternator to keep the batteries charged. One day, forgot to set DC mode when driving, and the fridge stayed just as cool as when running on DC, so now we just turn it off and keep it closed when driving. So it was not only a battery hog, it doesn't cool very well in DC. LP is most efficient, but AC best when you have hookups. We also keep several drinking water bottles in the freezer, so it acts like an icebox or cooler when it is closed up and powered off. Ice water also very refreshing on hot day driving.

[68camaro]

Thanks, I normally turn on LP day before trip then run on LP for weekend. While at RV park and 30amp power I used DC and over night even though plugged in refrig warmed up quite a bit, freezer did to but stuff stayed frozen as I had several frozen water bottles in there.

So if DC runs off coach batteries I can see how they will not last long.

[chin_k]

I would use AC as much as I can, even as I getting ready for a trip. I usually plug it to my AC outlet for the whole night, so that it will be nice and cold when I ready to load the food. I don't want to use my LP when I have access to cheaper electricity.

I don't use DC or LP when it is moving, just keep the door closed until I am parked, then I turn on LP. I only use DC during pseudo-emergency like when I need to make some ice, but still need to open the door a few times, etc. which is very, very rare.