Travelin' Bill
Vancouver, WA
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Joined: 07/27/2004
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In my 2002 C190P RT the Dometic 2352 3-way frig draws 12.5 amps at 12VDC (at least according to the label inside the door of the frig). Thats about 6 hours on a 100 amp-hour deep cycle battery (discharge to 20%) and well within the charging capacity of the alternator.
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Please keep your expectations fairly low . . . I'm an engineer.
2002 RT 190P Chev
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Camping time
So. Cal.
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Joined: 07/23/2006
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My 3 way fridge stays on propane 24/7. In my experience, the fridge is colder on propane than DC.
Within every disadvantage is the seed of an equal or greater advantage.
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DaveP
Milford, NH
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Joined: 01/16/2002
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I always run with the fridge on DC. That way I can also run with the propane turned off. The engine will recharge the auxiliary batteries so the fridge won't drain them, that is as long as the charging circuit is working right. The only issue I have encountered is that the thermostat is disabled on DC so the fridge can get too cold if I'm traveling all day.
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VE3ESN
Ontario, Canada
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Joined: 03/08/2002
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We run our fridge on DC when driving, as we're just not comfortable running propane while in transit. The house battery is easily charged by the alternator; there's more than enough current there as other posters have said.
I read somewhere that the power rating of the 12 V heater element in the fridge is a bit less than the power rating of the 120 V heater element. This would explain why cooling ability can be worse for some folks on DC than on AC or propane. It luckily hasn't been an issue with us, though.
Jerry & Susie
1996 Roadtrek 190 Versatile (Dodge 5.2 L)
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Hit The Road Jack
Treasure Coast of Florida
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Joined: 10/20/2005
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Camping time wrote:My 3 way fridge stays on propane 24/7. In my experience, the fridge is colder on propane than DC.
Our refer runs on AC only, I installed this unit (for RV use it sux)... ...If we owned the 3-way optioned 'Norcold' or 'Dometic' I would run on propane whenever possible...
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Handbasket
Asheville, NC
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Joined: 01/17/2003
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Neither of my RT's has cooled well on 12V, even after some futzing about with the elements and wiring; certainly not as well as on LP or 110V. That's from actual wireless thermometer readings. The Tiger has a newer auto-switching version of the same 3 cu ft Dometic reefer, and it comes from the factory with the 12V not even wired. So I use propane when I'm not on 110V.
To each his own.
Jim, "Mo' coffee!"
'06 Tiger CX 'C Minus' on a Silverado 2500HD 4x4, 8.1 & Allison ('Loafer's Glory'); '07 Forester 2.5 ( the 'HANDBSKT'); '95 Toyota SR5 V-6 4x4 pickup, ARB locker, Bilsteins, Warn hubs & M8000, etc;
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AsheGuy
Raleigh, North Carolina
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Joined: 11/15/2004
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We resemble those that use propane for the fridge when not on 110V. Ours just does not cool well on 12v. Is there a risk to using propane for the fridge while driving. Probably. Is it a greater risk than deciding to drive the RV anywhere, probably not. Our fridge has been operated on propane for most of the 50K miles we now have on our unit.
David & Margaret - 2005 LTV 210B 3S
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Islandman
NW Washington
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Joined: 02/18/2007
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I'm with the majority of the respondents, travel with the propane off and the fridge set on 12v. Never have a problem with the fridge staying cold, and just feel that the safety advantage of having propane turned off at the tank is worth the trouble and minute or so it takes to make the switchover.
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GizmosMom
Central Texas
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Joined: 02/18/2002
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We travel with the propane on because down here in the land of HEAT the DC just will not cool down the refrigerator.
(This topic has appeared in other sections of this forum for years now)
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Terry Hoover
Oakbank Manitoba Canada
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Joined: 04/03/2005
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We operate our fridge on propane except for the rare times that we have shore power. The 12V operation of the fridge is not up to the standard of cold that the propane gives in our unit. And the fridge is a three year old Dometic that we had installed to replace the original from 1987. We do shut off the fridge while refueling, of course.
Terry...
Terry Hoover
2009 Dutchmen Sport 716QB
2005 Explorer Sport Trac Tow Vehicle
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