Posted 2006-03-08 11:23 AM (#38439) Subject: Propane & refrig question..
Hurricane Survivor
Posts: 61 Location: training in South Louisiana
Ok.. Got informed, should always have refrig on automatic to allow it to choose from electricity or propane. so that when I unhook from the elec the unit will switch over to propane and while I am driving the refrig will still run.. That sounds great!!..
Ok.. the question.. so do I turn on both cans of propane or just the one I think I am using.. will the propane leak out when it is not being used by the refrig? (we always turn the can off on the barbque pit so do i do the same on the trailer?)
New toys.. they just blow my mind... Help... getting ready to start hauling hard and want to know how to use everything.
Posted 2006-03-08 11:44 AM (#38441 - in reply to #38439) Subject: RE: Propane & refrig question..
Member
Posts: 40
These thought's are from dealers and my own exp. other's may disagree, look on your bottles there should be a little red or green cap that will pop up when one tank is empty, this will tell you when one is out you must have both tanks turned on so it can switch automatic.
Dealers have told me to store with tanks shut off but I had a problem a few years ago on a frig just out of warranty and when I turned on the gas then turned the switched to the frig over to leave the frig showed a problem and wasn't kicking on. The electronic board burned out due to not lighting and kept trying to lite until was burned out. It didn't pick up the gas. The hot water and frig has a safety switch that should kick off after a pilot lite blows out so you don't loose your propane. Both of my trailers in the shed now both bottles are turned on both trailers, I am not paying for another electric board again. I would rather fill up a tank but I have not lost any propane yet.
Some dealers have even told me to run the frig on battery and not propane going down the road and shut both tanks off. And I am not doing that I run my propane going down the road.
Posted 2006-03-08 1:06 PM (#38457 - in reply to #38439) Subject: RE: Propane & refrig question..
Hurricane Survivor
Posts: 61 Location: training in South Louisiana
Thanks JD... I have a switch between both bottles to work off of, and cannot figure out if when it is switched in from of the left can if it is pulling the propane from the left or the right can.. Will go home and turn both cans on and see how long my butane lasts in both cans.
Posted 2006-03-08 6:16 PM (#38477 - in reply to #38439) Subject: RE: Propane & refrig question..
Expert
Posts: 1719 Location: PA
I like to use only one tank at a time. Yes, I do have to be aware of how much is left in the tank. I do this by tapping the tank. Full tanks sound different than empty ones and if you just wait for the indicator to go to red, it's already empty! At least this way I never totally run out of propane because I just switch to the new tank and get the empty one refilled. As for turning them off in between uses, YES! I always turn mine off. I am aware that I have to get the gas to flow back into the fridge to relite, so I never have had any problems with burning out the starter. I just stand there and wait for it to say (F) for fault, then I push the mode button again. I may do this 3xs until I hear it lite but it always does once the gas reaches the fridge.
Posted 2006-03-08 9:17 PM (#38491 - in reply to #38439) Subject: RE: Propane & refrig question..
Member
Posts: 10
Location: Richmond VA
Word of caution if you are running the fridge while driving, be sure it is not running off propane if you stop to gas up your truck. Gasoline vapors around a lit fridge (or any other gas appliance) BAD! Especially if the fridge and its vents are on same side of your rig as your gas tank.
Posted 2006-03-08 11:15 PM (#38503 - in reply to #38439) Subject: RE: Propane & refrig question..
Member
Posts: 40
The gas could be a problem at a station but if you run diesel there isn't a problem but take all the ideas and use what works best for you, there are a lot of good ideas come up and they all need thought of. I can pull aprox. 1,500 mile before I have to fuel but it is diesel. I can run close to 2000 miles before filling if not pulling.
Filling generators up with gas could be a problem also but most of the time the generator isn't near any pilot lite or itself running. Wish I had a diesel generator.
Posted 2006-03-10 8:13 AM (#38578 - in reply to #38439) Subject: RE: Propane & refrig question..
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 379 Location: Columbia, TN
To get your refridg to light faster I fire up one of the eyes on the stove for just a second Then the refridg lights up first time. If I don't do this it takes about 3 or 4 times to get it to light. My new trailer has the tanks that have the little guage that sticks up out of the top that has E-- F sure makes it easier than shaking, banging and pouring hot water over the tank. After I got them I see they sell them at Camping World.
Posted 2006-03-10 10:56 AM (#38601 - in reply to #38578) Subject: RE: Propane & refrig question..
Expert
Posts: 1719 Location: PA
That's very true. Lighting a burner will draw the propane into the lines faster. I just don't do it because my burners are hidden and I usually have stuff on the counter. Too much trouble to move the stuff...
Posted 2006-03-10 12:15 PM (#38605 - in reply to #38578) Subject: RE: Propane & refrig question..
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 560 Location: Mena, AR
Originally written by iCE CRM on 2006-03-10 8:13 AM
To get your refridg to light faster I fire up one of the eyes on the stove for just a second Then the refridg lights up first time. If I don't do this it takes about 3 or 4 times to get it to light. My new trailer has the tanks that have the little guage that sticks up out of the top that has E-- F sure makes it easier than shaking, banging and pouring hot water over the tank. After I got them I see they sell them at Camping World.
What happens when you pour hot water on a propane tank?
-Betty
Propane & refrig question..
