294RL Refrigerator

[AZ Traveler]

Ron,

When the RV reefer is using a/c power vice the gas flame to boil the ammonia it uses more energy than a residential reefer running a compressor. Not an issue when on shore power but it takes a fairly robust battery bank and/or solar to support the draw if your inverter is providing the power.

If you have your inverter on and have the reefer in auto it will use a/c from the inverter vice propane.

[bcrvman]

Originally Posted by AZ Traveler

Ron,

When the RV reefer is using a/c power vice the gas flame to boil the ammonia it uses more energy than a residential reefer running a compressor. Not an issue when on shore power but it takes a fairly robust battery bank and/or solar to support the draw if your inverter is providing the power.

If you have your inverter on and have the reefer in auto it will use a/c from the inverter vice propane.

RV's with propane fridges have CONVERTERS that convert AC to DC. Modern RV's with residential fridges have INVERTERS that convert DC to AC. He has a propane fridge so NO inverter! Like many people including you they confuse converters and inverters.

[AZ Traveler]

Ron,

A lot of us have rigs with a converter and inverter with an RV reefer. It is a very common configuration for boondocking.

[bcrvman]

Originally Posted by AZ Traveler

Ron,

A lot of us have rigs with a converter and inverter with an RV reefer. It is a very common configuration for boondocking.

I used to have a converter, that is what comes with the RV from the factory. I also used to have a small inverter, that also comes from the factory.
I sold the inverter, I disconnected the converter. I also disconnected the transfer switch for the reefer only.

I installed 600AH of Lithium batteries and 1,080 W of solar and a Victron Multiplus 3,000 Watt INVERTER that also is a 120 A 4 stage smart CHARGER.

Getting back to the OP, he has a RV fridge and was asking about if he should leave the reefer in auto mode. I said YES.

A residential reefer has no such switch, it is always on electric, there is no propane mode. An automatic transfer switch just for the reefer switches to the small inverter just for the reefer when the RV is unplugged.

[Al & Sandy]

Originally Posted by rohrmann

The excess flow valve in the large plastic nut that attaches to the cylinder valve is basically a spring loaded ball bearing that, when more gas is exiting the cylinder than it's designed for, the ball bearing is pushed against a seat that slows down or stops the gas from flowing. This happens quite often when you open the valve on the cylinder too fast and then can't get the furnace to work. This is a cutaway photo of the inside of the nut showing the excess gas flow valve.

Thanks, This is good information!