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harrypodder View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Topic: dometic refrig while traveling
    Posted: 05 Oct 2018 at 7:56am
When travelling to different campgrounds those with pods that have slides do you run your refrig on propane or 12V? I have read a lot of the pro and cons about traveling with the propane on my concern is when going down the road at 60 mph will the airflow thru the vents on the slide cause the propane igniter to fail to re-lite the burner once the temp goes up a little inside the refrig.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05 Oct 2018 at 8:12am
We've been over 25,000 miles with our 179. Except for the first leg of the first major trip, we have always used propane with no problems. There is enough baffling around the flame between the vent and the burner that the airflow does not interfere with the flame. We did this because that first trip trying to use 12V meant we had batteries (dual 6V) that were drained enough so that the refrigerator was beeping in less than 8 hours. I also noticed that the TV did not seem to be adequately charging the batteries when the refrigerator was on 12V. some people have a different experience. Mine led me to operate on propane unless I have shore power.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05 Oct 2018 at 8:23am
+1 to Stephen
we operate on propane 24/7  from the time we leave our house until we return unless we have shore power
there is a lot of "old knowledge" about propane that says it is unsafe to operate while traveling..  It is safe and efficient
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05 Oct 2018 at 8:41am
I never operate a propane device while traveling.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05 Oct 2018 at 8:48am
Harrypodder, there are several threads discussing the pro's and con's of running the fridge on propane or 12v on the board.  A search should bring them up.  In these threads some discuss the issue of fueling, going though tunnels, fires, etc. as it relates to 12v and propane.  

For us, we travel with exclusively propane and agree with StephenH and Pod People.  
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05 Oct 2018 at 9:49am
So here is my experiences.  I did my first outing with a camper (R-176) ever.  I was going to a full blown campground with hookups, so I decided to drive using 12 V on the fridge.  My TV was not able to keep up with the discharge from the fridge as batteries were down some after the 2 hour drive.  I am currently mid travel for my second trip today.  I am boondocking this time, so instead of using 12V, I am running the fridge on propane.  After driving one hour, I stopped to get a little work done.  I opened the camper and found the fridge blinking.  Reset the fridge, and the propane fired right up, and has been burning fine for 2 hours now.  I have another hour and a half trip coming up to my destination.  I will see how it handles the second leg, and I'll update.  

Right now, not thrilled about driving with Propane on if it blows out while driving.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05 Oct 2018 at 11:06am
Broncoman, you don't need to worry about the propane flame blowing out while driving unless you've made some modifications to the area behind the refrigerator that has changed the venting.  The stock set up is fine for driving with propane fueling the refrigerator.  And if the flame were to blow out for some really weird reason, the thermocouple operated gas valve would automatically turn off and you'd be switched to battery if you left your fridge on automatic.  

As is discussed in several other threads, the most common cause of fires in RV's is an electric fault.  

If you want to run your fridge from your alternator while driving, it is certainly possible, but you'll need to have adequately sized wiring from your alternator to the fridge to handle the current load.  Inadequately sized wire can overheat, leading to a risk of fire or blown fuses.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05 Oct 2018 at 2:23pm
We run on propane exclusively except when shore power is available. I switch the fridge to battery when refueling IF the trailer is near gas pumps. But, if the pod is hanging out in the driveway away from the pumps I leave it on LPG.

I had an issue on our last trip when the fridge failed to light on propane after being cooled down on electric at home but once I ran gas through the lines with a burner lit for a minute it worked fine.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05 Oct 2018 at 3:01pm
You will find a split on this topic. If you search the archives, you'll find some go one way (propane), and others go the other way (battery). There are also a few who just don't run the fridge on the road or else keep stuff in a separate cooler.

We are in the battery contingent because we don't agree with having the propane valve open on the propane canister(s) while traveling AND our TV does a good job of providing enough power AND our TV disconnects the 12V auxiliary power when we turn off the ignition.

So I would evaluate those issues, and go with what you want.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05 Oct 2018 at 3:23pm
Battery.  Seems easier to me.
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