Running fridge on propane

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   Since this was my first try at boondocking I have never tried the 12 v pump as we have always had city water. I suspect you are right something gunking up the intake on the pump.  It is kind of a pain to get to it.

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pedwards2932 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 21 Sep 2020 Online Status: Offline Posts: 337	Topic: Running fridge on propane Posted: 08 Mar 2021 at 2:06pm
	Since this was my first try at boondocking I have never tried the 12 v pump as we have always had city water. I suspect you are right something gunking up the intake on the pump. It is kind of a pain to get to it.

offgrid Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 23 Jul 2018 Online Status: Offline Posts: 5290	Posted: 08 Mar 2021 at 5:41pm
	If it hasn’t been used for awhile the pump might be having difficulty self-priming. It is above the fresh water tank after all. Be sure the FWT is completely full, hook up city water for a bit, run the pump, then disconnect city water and see if it primes. If that doesn’t work then you’ll probably need to take the pump apart and clean it out as discussed.
	1994 Chinook Concourse 1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft 2015 Rpod 179 - sold

StephenH Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 29 Nov 2015 Location: Wake Forest, NC Online Status: Offline Posts: 6288	Posted: 08 Mar 2021 at 6:13pm
	If the pump has not been used and the RPod was winterized, check to see that the valve for the antifreeze stub is turned to the correct position to draw from the tank. When we got ours, it was set to pull from the stub, so it was only pumping air. When I figured out that the valve was wrong and changed it, it did not take long to prime and pump from the tank. If you have it running and you are getting an air pressure build-up, that is likely what is happening.
	StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS

mcarter Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 07 Apr 2016 Location: Greenbrier, TN Online Status: Offline Posts: 3419	Posted: 08 Mar 2021 at 6:20pm
	I've used the antifreeze intake to prime system that SH refers to, then closed and continued to prime pump. It can take some time for pump to prime if winterized.
	Mike Carter 2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability."

pedwards2932 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 21 Sep 2020 Online Status: Offline Posts: 337	Posted: 08 Mar 2021 at 6:42pm
	That may be it as it was building air pressure and I believe the original owner had winterized it before I bought it. Wish the pump was easier to access......do you have to pull the mattress to get to it? I have a prop to hold mattress up enough to switch the water heater valves but don't think I can get to the pump very well from there.

offgrid Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 23 Jul 2018 Online Status: Offline Posts: 5290	Posted: 08 Mar 2021 at 7:05pm
	In the 179 I just prop up the mattress to access the pump, not sure in your model. But the first time I took out the mattress. Once you know what you’re looking for it’s easier.
	1994 Chinook Concourse 1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft 2015 Rpod 179 - sold

jato Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 23 Feb 2012 Location: Kewadin, MI Online Status: Offline Posts: 3220	Posted: 10 Mar 2021 at 6:16pm
	Couple years back there was a podder near us who had this problem and didn't check to make sure it worked before going out first time in the spring. The bypass valves were correct and finally with the pump running I moved the valve on the antifreeze stub back and forth a few times . . . it caught prime and worked!
	God's pod '11 model 177 '17 Ford F-150 4WD 3.5 Ecoboost Jim and Diane by beautiful Torch Lake "...and you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free."

pedwards2932 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 21 Sep 2020 Online Status: Offline Posts: 337	Posted: 23 May 2021 at 3:19pm
	Just reopening this thread....I got the 12volt pump working....issue was it was switched to winterize mode. We are getting ready to go to Maine so how long will the fridge run in propane mode on a 30 lb tank? We will only be using it for three overnights where we are diconnected so I would think one 30lb would be plenty?

jato Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 23 Feb 2012 Location: Kewadin, MI Online Status: Offline Posts: 3220	Posted: 23 May 2021 at 3:39pm
	During summer months we have run the fridge and HW on propane for 3 weeks straight and have not run out of propane on a 20# tank. A couple years ago we were gone for a month during September in the Rockies and RMNP running fridge, HW and the furnace (a lot) as night temps were normally in the 40's. Did go through one 20# tank and switched to another BUT the first tank was not full when we started the trip either. Regardless of that, you will have P L E N T Y of propane for 3 nights, assuming your 30# tank isn't nearly empty when you start.
	God's pod '11 model 177 '17 Ford F-150 4WD 3.5 Ecoboost Jim and Diane by beautiful Torch Lake "...and you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free."

pedwards2932 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 21 Sep 2020 Online Status: Offline Posts: 337	Posted: 23 May 2021 at 4:17pm
	Sounds good I need to weigh the tank to see how full it is but we haven't used it much. Thanks.