Propane and refrigeration

[Cammalu]

I was all set to buy a fancy dancy new compression fridge for my rig when money for it went elsewhere and I got stuck using propane on my three way rv absorption fridge.  It's been several months now and I've decided to keep my fridge as the propane use seems to be so tiny as to make almost no difference. I don't have a clue what this fridge is using but I also use propane to cook daily and for the water heater also and it seems I'm using less than a gallon of propane a week.  It seems hardly possible but when I fill up the most the tank has taken was three gallons and that was after an extended period of not buying propane for about a month. 

I'm not buying a new fridge!

[Art]

Sounds like a sensible choice

[OutdoorFT]

Stick to what works. Id be happy with once a month filling propane. Not that its a huge deal or hassle, but cant enjoy yourself if you have to deal with another thing every week.

[AbuelaLoca]

I wouldn't mind a propane fridge for the van! Wonder if it's feasible!

[Hepcat]

If you're outfitting a new van with a fridge, especially one that doesn't already have propane installed the compressor fridges are great. However, if your van is already plumbed for propane, a fridge just doesn't use much at all... and it doesn't make much sense to replace a working propane fridge.

[AbuelaLoca]

Not already plumbed.... But why not? I think it might be easier to find an old fridge out of an old RV... Or should I say cheaper?

[Hepcat]

Not already plumbed.... But why not? I think it might be easier to find an old fridge out of an old RV... Or should I say cheaper?

Propane plumbing can be complex, especially mounting a horizontal propane tank.  Most folks are wiring in adequate battery storage and solar making an electric compressor a good choice for new installations, especially in a home-build.  But if the propane plumbing is already there, there's no reason not to use it.

[AbuelaLoca]

Gotcha! Definitely will want solar and batteries done right and probably wouldn't even have room for other plumbing any way...

[Scott7022]

Propane and I have a history. I'll post the story if anybody wants a chuckle. I am trying to follow Gunny and stay low. But great advice; if it is in then it is cheap and easy. So long as you are reasonably level. Who sleeps out of level, that wouldn't be right... Hey perhaps...

Best rule my father taught me years ago. Change tanks, run the stove burner till the flame is all blue. Then pop the fridge over.

Cooking with propane uses so little fuel and same with the fridge. But air in the lines sucks.

[Ballenxj]

Propane and I have a history. I'll post the story if anybody wants a chuckle. 

Propane lines don't really take much room at all, and are pretty straight forward to work with, but make one mistake and propane can be very unforgiving.
Scott, I'd love to hear your story some day as I can probably relate. I installed a new/old/rebuilt water heater, and bleeding the lines seemed to take forever.
Another hint, always use a new thermocouple on a water heater. It's cheap insurance.