SPORTSMAN 4X4
Jan 17 2008, 07:30 AM
Do you run your fridge on propane while traveling? I am having a little problem. I run my fridge on 12 volts while traveling and it drains more juce out of my two, deep cycle group 31 marine batteries then the charge wire is putting in. I have a charge wire from my truck to the house batteries so they charge while my truck is running through the factory installed 7 pole socket. I have a 1200 watt industrial inverter hooked to these two batteries. After driving 3-1/2 hours to get to the dunes, if I try to run the microwave off of the inverter, the inverter shuts down because it is desingned to shut down at 10 volts of battery power. When I first installed all of this stuff it worked fine until I started running the fridge on 12 volts. I tried to run the fridge on propane on the way home last week but the wind blew the flame out. Worst case, I guess I will have to carry my generator along to run the micro wave but really not wanting to bring it if I don't need to. Here is a pic of the vents for the fridge.
Hoverman
Jan 17 2008, 07:36 AM
CHECK THE MANUFACTURER FOR THE REFER SOME MAKE A WIND BLOCK FOR THE PILOT FLAME
trever
Jan 17 2008, 07:45 AM
The fridge should stay cold for 4 hours while driving if the door stays closed? When I was scared to drive with the propane on I would get the fridge cold on 110 at the house. I would drive to G 4-5 hours, then turn on the propane.
Hoverman
Jan 17 2008, 07:46 AM
also switch to 6 volts batts and have longer lasting electr power
rayspeed
Jan 17 2008, 08:12 AM
I have heard it is at best dangerous and at worst illegal to drive with your propane bottle on and the sideways angle is that if your rig blazes cause of it insurance may deny the claim. Seems to be the norm with the fridges in slides cause the back is so shallow so you are not alone. Yes you can build or maybe buy said deflector... just dont let anything become evidence and cover yourself if something bad happens if you know what I mean.
Must say that I was guilty of the practice in the past and got away with it. I feel compelled to run the fridge with a similar G commute so I run mine off the inverter.
I would suggest a bigger dedicated wire.
Ray
Gearhead
Jan 17 2008, 07:02 PM
You may want to look at upgrading your alternator to a heavy duty, or whatever they call it. I never drive with the propane on, too many places for somthing bad to happen. My stuff switches over to 12V automatically, and I run 4 6v batts.
journeyman
Jan 19 2008, 03:17 PM
I run propane while driving our class A. No problems.
Back in the '70s when I was a kid our family had a slide in with a propane only fridge. My dad built some sort of deflector so the wind wouldn't blow out the pilot. Worked great for years. We travelled MANY thousands or miles in that thing.
casualrider033
Jan 19 2008, 04:18 PM
I'm not sure about the electrical issues you are having but for the flame-out..... Have you tried cleaning out the small tube by the pilot? Depending on the year/use this tends to build up rust particles and you get a weaker flame as time goes on. Remove your side cover behind the fridge and look for the pilot. You can unscrew the little attachments and blow out any debris plugging the propane from getting you a nice blue flame. I had this problem on a couple of coaches and this was the cause. Simple job, all you need is a screwdriver. Good luck
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