3 way Fridge - Do you run gas or electric?

[saenzm]

Is there a rule of thumb here on how you should run your fridge?

Should you run it gas unless you can plug in? Is there a difference in cooling power etc?

Thanks,
Mark

[mkguitar]

the more heat you can make ( and then exchange- fan kits!) the better the fridge will cool

I use dc when driving, I use AC on shore power ( you are paying a fee for the space and the energy, so you may as well use theirs).

both the ac and dc use a heating element which is not as effective as the lp gas

and we use the LP when boondocking or stopping mid-drive

( I once forget when a stop for a minute turned into a 6 hour stop- which about drained the coach battery and blew a breaker as the current draw raises when the voltage goes down from the draining battery)



some make a shield to run propane when driving- I consider this stupid- esp when the gas fill and fridge are on the same side.






the fridge should be able to hold temp on DC, in addition to fans kits ( on the external fins and an internal fan to move cool air inside) when rotate the blue freeze packs from freezer to fridge door.
and have a wireless thermometer to monitor temps without opening the door

[saenzm]

If I run my fridge (in my driveway) on LP? How long will it last?

1997 Dodge 3500 PW. I heard months, but want to make sure.

Also, how level does the rig need to be? Perfectly level?

Thanks!

[mkguitar]

I think the manual says if you are comfy the fridge will be too.

there is a concern in an out of level fridge that the ammonia may crystalize in the tubing

also condensate may run not drain properly and puddle in the fridge or dribble on the floor ( this I learned myself!)

not sure about consumption- that would depend greatly on the settings and the ambient temps.

in my driveway on ac or lp I can maintain cooling when temps are over 100º- I have a shade sail over the van and the side with the fridge is not hit by the sun

& added fans:

[peteco]

Originally Posted by mkguitar

in my driveway on ac or lp I can maintain cooling when temps are over 100º- I have a shade sail over the van and the side with the fridge is not hit by the sun
& added fans:

Can you show a picture of your shade sail please?

[mkguitar]

well- it started off as a harbor freight $169 with coupon "carport".


the HF solid covering started to come apart after 2 years in the AZ sun.

I replaced with a Koolaroo type cover- over my frame- it is light sand coloured and blocks about 73% of the sun, and is often referred to as "73%"

there is no rain protection...our monsoon storm winds here will pick up and flail anything the wind can get under.

costco sells triangular shades, amazon other types and shapes and home stores sell the 73% shade material by the roll.

Mike

[peteco]

Originally Posted by mkguitar

well- it started off as a harbor freight $169 with coupon "carport".


the HF solid covering started to come apart after 2 years in the AZ sun.

I replaced with a Koolaroo type cover- over my frame- it is light sand coloured and blocks about 73% of the sun, and is often referred to as "73%"

there is no rain protection...our monsoon storm winds here will pick up and flail anything the wind can get under.

costco sells triangular shades, amazon other types and shapes and home stores sell the 73% shade material by the roll.

Mike

OK I see this is just when parked at home. I would like to make a simple system that shades the outer refrigerator side wall area when parked where the sun is hitting the side for most of the day.

[mkguitar]

do you have an awning ( on a PW the galley is on the pass side) ?

other wise a space blanket clipped to the rain gutter hanging down will keep the sun off of the back of the fridge.

you'll need some space for hot air to vent from the fridge

mike

[peteco]

Originally Posted by mkguitar

do you have an awning ( on a PW the galley is on the pass side) ?

other wise a space blanket clipped to the rain gutter hanging down will keep the sun off of the back of the fridge.

you'll need some space for hot air to vent from the fridge

mike

The fridge in my Roadtrek 210P is on the driver side, so no awning or gutter to attach a shade to. I have considered modifying the grill attachments to support a small shade. It would have to be sturdy to handle any big winds that might come up while parked.

[BBQ]

Originally Posted by peteco

OK I see this is just when parked at home. I would like to make a simple system that shades the outer refrigerator side wall area when parked where the sun is hitting the side for most of the day.

Some people have installed awning on both sides for this purpose.

[peteco]

Originally Posted by BBQ

Some people have installed awning on both sides for this purpose.

Just found this. Nice and simple. I just need to find the sail track and I can probably make the rest. Not sure how I would attach to the 210 fiberglass sidewall.

Shade Wall for Caravan Fridge

[booster]

Lynn Brucker on the Yahoo Roadtrek board probably has as much good information on frig awnings as anyone, as she did one a long time ago and did quite a lot of testing. You could search on the Yahoo board, or contact her.