Steps to keep residential frig. running during tow?

[STIHLNTIME]

During tow I just make sure inverter is on and park lights are on. It makes running lights on camper turn on. Once this is done residential fridge stays on. Have pulled 12 hour days and no issues maintains its 34 degree setting.

[Carl n Susan]

I would be very surprised to find the inverter is dependent on the tail/park lights in any way. The backup camera - yes, inverter - no

[2 Yoopers]

I agree with Carl, it has nothing to do with the tow vehicle lights. When the truck is running it charges your batteries through the 7 pin connector. I leave my inverter on, but turn the disconnect switch off in the compartment by the hydraulic resivoir when it is parked at the house.
If I turn the disconnect switch to on, the fridge will run without the truck plugged in or any 110 power hooked up. I upgraded my batteries to 4-6 volt agm’s so I can run through the night if we dry camp while traveling.

[Charlie W]

On my inverter I have to hold the power button in for a second for it to start

[Stan and Linda]

Just a note, My inverter feeds a GFCI, alot of times when i unhook from shore power the GFCI trips. Make it is set. I check it every time. At least 50 percent of the time it is tripped.

[mtlakejim]

Originally Posted by carl n susan

I would be very surprised to find the inverter is dependent on the tail/park lights in any way. The backup camera - yes, inverter - no

Carl is correct on this. One of your pins on the 7 pin connector is an accessories hot wire. That is the wire that charges batteries and in turn those power the inverter. The truck key must be on for it to be hot and it serves no other function.

I would however question if the accessories function has enough power thru it to keep up with the residential fridge requirements on an extremely hot day. Not saying it wouldn't, just not sure it would.

[Arkware]

good advise above.
Would like to add our personal experiences. (your mileage may vary )

We had trouble keeping our inverter running while traveling.
Would find it not outputting AC during stops and would have to turn it off then back on to continue.
Lots of troubleshooting with no resolution.

While at the Fall Rally a couple years ago, we had a GOOD electrical systems tech suggest: make sure the ice maker was turned off while traveling because it uses a lot of power when it cycles.

Last year we upgraded to 4 - 6v GC batteries replacing dealer supplied 12v ones.
This has eliminated any inverter/refer issues while traveling (6+ hours) and I believe we should get 20 - 24 hours from fully charged batteries. (untested yet...)

so, in summary: (sorry I've gotten so long winded...)
1. Good batteries, well maintained.
2. Turn off ice maker while traveling.
3. Verify inverter output as part of check list.

Safe travels,

[John and Barbara]

We have to reset the GFI every time we change from shore power to tow vehicle power. some one posted that they removed the GFI. Refrigerators shouldn't be on a GFI anyway.

[Mikendebbie]

2. Turn off the ice maker.

Refresh my memory...where do you turn off the ice maker? Is it the “Ice Off” button in the fridge control panel? I have never tried it. The nerve of those guys labeling a button that does what it says.

[John and Barbara]

Page 4 of the Samsung Refrigerator user manual has a note that states "GFI (ground fault interrupter) is not recommended". Once I'm out of warranty I plan to remove the GFI. Turning the ice maker off is a great idea because is would use a lot of power.

Every day I learn something from this forum, It is great to be part of this group.

[DebNJim B]

Originally Posted by Stan and Linda

Just a note, My inverter feeds a GFCI, alot of times when i unhook from shore power the GFCI trips. Make it is set. I check it every time. At least 50 percent of the time it is tripped.

We have had this problem with ours. I plugged in one of those circuit testers to check proper wiring in an outlet so now I can tell at a glance if the GFCI has tripped. I have had it trip while on the road also so I put a remote thermostat in the freezer with the receiver in the tv so I can monitor the temp while on the road. If it starts going up I pull off and check the GFCI.

I have just a single 12v battery and have had no trouble maintaining the battery and inverter while traveling and I do turn off the ice maker while traveling since the ice making cycle really kicks the freezer into overdrive powerwise.

[Arkware]

Mikendebbie,

yes, it is the "Ice Off" button. (on the Samsung)
It seemed kinda strange to me that when it is lit (on), it is Off.
But, maybe that is just me...

[Leyland]

I have had my gfci trip as well. I installed a small 120 volt led light mounted on the front of the rv near the battery vent so I can tell when the little led is on i know the gfci has not tripped. Got the light from amazon and put a regular plug in so it plugs into the other plug in on the receptical that the refrigerator is plugged into.