Posted 2005-06-15 10:59 PM (#26626) Subject: Running fridge on battery or propane
Member
Posts: 27 Location: Delta, B.C., Canada
This is the wife writing ... love this site, keep checking it all day when I'm at work. Very informative. We're taking our Sidekick on our first trip last weekend in June, just wanted opinions on whether you run the fridge on the batteries or propane when travelling. We have to take a 2 hour ferry ride (I know you can't have propane running on the ferry), but just thought I would see what other people do, have had some people say batteries, some say propane. Any comments?
Posted 2005-06-16 1:06 AM (#26630 - in reply to #26626) Subject: RE: Running fridge on battery or propane
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 304
I'm curious to the answers you get. The owners manual to my frig states it must be level to operate, if not it can over heat. Well it won't be level when hooked to truck, so I don't think I'm going to try it.
Posted 2005-06-16 8:13 AM (#26642 - in reply to #26626) Subject: RE: Running fridge on battery or propane
Veteran
Posts: 104
I run mine on propane going down the road. The owners manual says you do not have to be level going down the road, because the motion of the trailer keeps the fluid moving.
Posted 2005-06-16 8:43 AM (#26648 - in reply to #26630) Subject: RE: Running fridge on battery or propane
Member
Posts: 27 Location: Delta, B.C., Canada
Good point about being level, our trailer is in the shop, we're actually getting blocks on the axles and our neck lowered cause we were towing too high, the manual is in the trailer so will check it out when we get it back. Hope to read some more comments re frigs!
Posted 2005-06-16 11:06 AM (#26665 - in reply to #26626) Subject: RE: Running fridge on battery or propane
Veteran
Posts: 173 Location: Arcata, CA
Running a frig on 12 volt may drain down a battery pretty quick, unless you can trickle charge it from the truck or solar panels. If you truck isn't running (on the ferry), then you may also be draining the truck battery. It would also help if you have a deep cycle battery or two installed on the trailer. As already mentioned 12 Volt (battery) doesn't cool as well as propane or 110 volt from my experience.
I have used propane while traveling, but consider turning off the propane supply tanks and extinquish the pilots while refueling...in some states that is the law!
The best luck I have is to get it good and cold, with plenty of ice in the freezer using 110 volt at home...24 hours or more before I leave. That way I can usually turn it completely off while traveling short trips, long trips I'll add 12 volt. I only use the propane when I don't prepare ( get it cold) ahead of time.
Posted 2005-06-16 9:54 PM (#26722 - in reply to #26626) Subject: RE: Running fridge on battery or propane
Veteran
Posts: 216 Location: Chillicothe, Ohio
I have a 110volt/propane fridge. We run our almost always on propane, even while traveling. I mounted my fridge "backwards" so the door is on the outside of the trailer under my awning. I always shut the fridge off when pulling around gasoline pumps. If there are only diesel pumps then I dont worry about it. Mine model wont run on 12 volts, I thought I wanted a 12 volt model, but found this one for a song, after using it, I realize 12 volt models are not really required. Propane work great.
Posted 2005-06-17 9:00 AM (#26728 - in reply to #26626) Subject: RE: Running fridge on battery or propane
Member
Posts: 27 Location: Delta, B.C., Canada
Thanks for everyones input, I think for short local trips the idea of getting the fridge ice cold first is a good idea, for longer trips we'll use the propane. I'm sure as the summer goes on we'll pick up on all the ins and outs, my first concern is always the safety of the horses. Any more comments are most appreciated.
Posted 2005-06-17 6:44 PM (#26752 - in reply to #26626) Subject: RE: Running fridge on battery or propane
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 565 Location: Michigan
My fridge runs on electric and propane. My longest trip to shows will be 2 1/2 hours. Instead of using the propane, I put some frozen water bottles in the fridge for the trip. Works great, keeps the beer cold and then once I get to the fairgrounds I hook up to electric and turn fridge on and have a cold one. LOL!
Running fridge on battery or propane
