Refrigerator - Leaving on

[BandJ]

The yellowstone trip we are taking will be the first one which we will be on the road for an extended period.

When traveling, what is the best way to keep the refrigerator cold. Do I use the propane or electric ?

[jrgwdenner]

Our refrigerator automatically switches to propane when we disconnect from the electrical source. When we plug in again, it's on electricity automatically. Just set the auto button above the 'frig door. Happy travels.

[stiles watson]

Yup, just like Judy says. Happy RVing...

[sreigle]

Same as the others. It will switch automatically to electric when you plug in to shorepower and to gas when you unplug. It doesn't hurt to make sure it successfully switches. I think the manual says it will try to switch to gas for 45 seconds. If it fails, the "check" light will then come on. If the check light is not on 45 seconds or so after I unplug, then I assume it switched ok.

You can force it to run on gas when hooked to shore power by pushing the Gas button but why use propane you are paying for if the park provides electricity for free?

Have fun on your trip to Yellowstone. We are really looking forward to a similar trip later this summer.

[patodonn]

Your only problem may occur if you elect to shut off the propane at the tanks while towing. If you do, you should put the refrige control to OFF, not AUTO, while motoring down the road. In OFF, the freezer and lower fridge will hold the "cold" without problem for the 6-8 hours you are traveling.

There has been a lot of discussion about propane on or propane off while towing. It is certainly "safer" to have the propane shut off at the tanks in the unlikely event of an accident. Likewise, it should be shut off at the tanks while refueling. There is a flame when the fridge is using propane. If just the propane is shut off, there could still be a "sparking" igniter working unless the fridge control is also set to OFF. Flame or igniter, neither is good while at the gas pumps.

We operate it as described in the first reply, since we almost never refuel while towing. We start out with full fuel, and almost never go over 300 miles/day. If I do refuel with the rig "in tow", I shut off both propane tanks and set the fridge control to OFF before getting to the pumps. Done that maybe twice in 2 years.

Just some food for thought.

[BandJ]

Thank you for your replys.....

[sreigle]

Bryan and Judy, did we answer your question satisfactorily? When I re-read it I'm not sure if we maybe missed the point or not.

[BandJ]

Yes, as always....

Thank you

quote:Originally posted by sreigle

Bryan and Judy, did we answer your question satisfactorily? When I re-read it I'm not sure if we maybe missed the point or not.