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RobertL0

New York

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Posted: 02/29/12 03:23am

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Another question I have is regarding those large residential refrigerators. I know in my travel trailer, I leave the propane flowing to the refrigerator on while I travel, and it and the freezer remain just as cold when I travel 12 hours on a summer's day.

How do these large residential refrigerators stay cold if not using propane while traveling?

Thanks in advance

Ivylog

Blairsville, Ga. USA

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Posted: 02/29/12 03:58am

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They run off an inverter, powered by a battery bank that is kept charged by the engine's alternator.

This post is my opinion (free advice). It is not intended to influence anyone's judgment nor do I advocate anyone do what I propose.

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skipnchar

Topeka or somewhere else

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Posted: 02/29/12 06:36am

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Long extension cord?

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rjf7g

Virginia

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Posted: 02/29/12 04:14am

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Yep, they need "regular" electricity to run - your inverter+battery bank+alternator or generator if you're going to be sitting still for a long time.

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Dale.Traveling

Newport News, VA

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Posted: 02/29/12 04:28am

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You also have to consider that a residential fridge is well insulated and can go a couple of hours without power. Additionally if the weather is hot most will run the gen set going down the road to power the coach AC with the side benefit of keeping the fridge on.

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Golden_HVAC

Fulltime, CA, USA

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Posted: 02/29/12 04:30am

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Hi,

Normally when a RV manufacture offers a electric refrigerator as a option, they will also include 4-6 batteries to power a large pure sign wave inverter (1,500 - 3,000 watts) and sometimes includes a 300 - 500 watt solar system to help keep the battery full. Most of the inverters have a low battery generator start option too, it will start the generator at around 11.8 volts, and keep it on for 4 hours, or whatever it is programmed to do.

So normally it is the battery powered inverter kept charged by the engine alternator, or generator if the battery voltage goes below the threshold to start it.

Fred.

Mr.Mark

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Posted: 02/29/12 11:43am

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We have a fully electric coach (8 house batteries 2 chassis, solar panel on the roof). When I dropped off my Motorhome for service recently, I turned off the inverter which turns off the fridge (side by side Jenn-Air) I didn't want the generator to come on automatically. From 8AM to 3PM the freezer went from 0 to 32 degrees and the fridge went from 38 to 48 degrees.

I keep the freezer fairly empty. I fill the empty spots with zip-lock bags of ice to help maintain temp for when I drop it off for service and so far has worked well.

MM.

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jetenbu

Southeast Texas

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Posted: 02/29/12 10:14am

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wallynm wrote:

If you keep the door shut and I do mean shut you can run 6-8 hours with no power and no problem. for safety reason some folks run down the road with the propane shut off at the tank and no cooling on the fridge.

RobertL0 wrote:

We 5th wheelers do it all the time. Although we have propane available, running with it on and stopping to fill with fuel can be dangerous so most turn off everything. The contents stay plenty cold for 6-8 hours so since most of us only drive for 4-6 hours, there is no problem.

Jim

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wallynm

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Posted: 02/29/12 08:42am

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RobertL0 wrote:

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jetboater454

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Posted: 02/29/12 06:57am

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I got one of the 120V cheap mini fridges for my beer.Have traveled 12 hours and still had cold beer and frozen ice cream when we stopped,and those are not known for their insulating qualities.

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