Heat, leaks, and poop!

[Optimistic Paranoid]

See:

http://www.rvnetwork.com/topic/118601-do...xplosions/

[GotSmart]

English please?

Many people just don't like dealing with it (propane) and I wanted to be clear they (3-way fridges) suck (are very bad) wrt (with regard to, with reference to) 12V boondocking (camping away from shore power) even when brand new.

I'm pretty sure any of these are found much more quickly via searching (giyf)

Once again I will state that you have no personal knowledge about this subject. Camalou has been useing these for many years in many different rigs. 

The 3 way is at the top of the quality and efficiency list hands down.  Give up.

[Cammalu]

I'm no refrigerator expert - not even close but I thought I'd give my two cents on what it costs to run one of these which is extremely minimal. When I first started I'd go to fill up the propane about every two weeks as I knew it HAD to be low because I had the fridge and the stovetop going a lot. I'd get there and they would fill me up and say something like, "That will be $1.52". I couldn't believe it and would be back in a few more weeks and it might be $2. That's dang efficient.

If you already have one set up it just wouldn't be cost effective at all to replace it.

My fridge is also huge compared to those tiny ones people put in their vans. The propane fridges are proven and have been around forever. There are millions of RVers out there using them everyday.

That all said and as happy as I am with the cost of running my fridge, if I had to start from scratch and spend the big bucks anyway I'd get the other kind and not the propane one. Any fridge is a big investment and if you already have one why not use it.

My fridge:




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Snikwahjm]

Pic was a no show. Good to know that.

[Cammalu]

Hmmm. No pic again? Well

[John61CT]

The 3 way is at the top of the quality and efficiency list hands down.

You really are too funny. 8-)

Sure, they work just fine on shore power, where no on cares about electric efficiency.

They are also wonderful if you want / are willing to deal with a fridge that runs on propane.

And I never said there aren't well-made units, from a build quality, longevity POV.

Finally, I'm certainly saying nothing against any poster here personally.

However, it is universally understood that the 12V mode is designed for use only while the engine is running.

And in most models the 12V element is designed so anemic, that it just *can't* bring a warm fridge / contents down to target temps at all even over 12 hours of driving.

That mode is designed *only* to maintain an already-cold fridge / contents, *while driving* in between shore power, and propane usage while stationary.

In fact for that reason (low effectiveness in 12V mode), some people even keep propane mode going while they are driving, maybe even while fueling, which I do *not* recommend.

Note I am *not saying* "propane fridges are bad" here, in fact I lived off-grid for decades with one from the 50's that I converted from kero, great sustainable tech that.

Next, we come to electrical inefficiency. Even when the fridge / contents are all cooled down, then you switch over to 12V mode, the AH consumption per hour / per day of this "absorption type" unit is **many times** higher than a 12V compressor type doing the same job.

To the point that they are completely unsuitable for 12V use off a solar / battery system. Would be like choosing to use an electric slow cooker on solar, compared to a Dutch oven over a camp stove.

Just like the little cheap 12V coolers (peltier style) you can buy at Walmart, plain unsuitable for that use case.

Anyone with a $30 ammeter / AH counter like Watts Up can easily verify these truths for themselves.

This is not saying this fridge style is "bad", this is exactly how it is designed to work, often spelled out right in the instructions, and I would have thought an experienced professional like yourself would have known such basic info.

[Cammalu]

It's very efficient on propane. I never use it on 12v. So using it on propane while boondocking is an excellent choice. It's a great fridge.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[BCGuy]

However,  it is universally understood that the 12V mode is designed for use only while the engine is running.

Not any more.  If I stop somewhere for a few hours, I leave it on 12v.  My 200 watts of solar will take care of it.

[Optimistic Paranoid]

It's very efficient on propane.  I never use it on 12v.  So using it on propane while boondocking is an excellent choice. It's a great fridge.

The issue I would have with that statement is boondocking in hot weather with no air conditioning.  Under those circumstances, the LAST thing I want is a propane flame burning inside my vehicle and adding heat to the situation.

That's equally true if you are plugged into shore power at a campground.  In that case, the ac power is running an electric heating element that is taking the place of the propane flame and is also adding heat to the situation.

[Cammalu]

I've camped in hotter weather and I can't feel any heat from the fridge inside the unit. It's vented to the outside and there might be a tiny bit out there but I can't feel it.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk