How to keep Refrigerator Cold While Driving?

[nancyregg]

I'm a total newbie! How do I keep the refrigerator cold while driving? Do
I run it on the propane? Or does running the engine keep it cold?

[Mo_Mike]

You would need to run it on propane (or leave it on auto). The norcold in the axis/vegas is 110 or propane. So, unless you are on shore power or running the generator, it is propane

[Mo_Mike]

By the way, how do you like your axis?

[Larry]

Originally Posted by nancyregg

I'm a total newbie! How do I keep the refrigerator cold while driving? Do
I run it on the propane? Or does running the engine keep it cold?

Yes, you will need to run it on propane to keep the fridge cold. If you place it in the "auto" mode, it will switch from electric to propane when disconnected from shore power or generator and vice versa when reconnected to shore power or generator. Just don't forget to turn it to "off" when you're back home so it won't continue to use your propane.

You will find that the fridge uses very little propane to keep it cold.

[davidgebo]

In the Florida summer heat, the Norcold fridge struggles to keep cold. I installed a computer muffin fan just beneath the coils in the back of the fridge to help air circulation. The fan is low-voltage, so any 12 volt power back there will run the fan. I put an in-line switch and fuse to manually turn the fan off/on when needed. The fan uses very little 12 volt power. Just be very careful when seeking 12 volt power. There is 120 A.C. back there., as well. I also installed a fan/light unit inside the fridge compartment which circulates the cooled air inside the fridge compartment.

[JamieGeek]

If you run it on propane you also should turn off the fridge while refueling.

[EA37TS]

Originally Posted by davidgebo

In the Florida summer heat, the Norcold fridge struggles to keep cold. I installed a computer muffin fan just beneath the coils in the back of the fridge to help air circulation. The fan is low-voltage, so any 12 volt power back there will run the fan. I put an in-line switch and fuse to manually turn the fan off/on when needed. The fan uses very little 12 volt power. Just be very careful when seeking 12 volt power. There is 120 A.C. back there., as well. I also installed a fan/light unit inside the fridge compartment which circulates the cooled air inside the fridge compartment.

Had the same issue here during the summer so in my prior class c I used a battery operated portable fan. Worked great and only used 2 D cell batteries in about 2.5 years. Still have it in my spare parts box.

You can use something like this to improve circulation when needed.

https://www.amazon.com/Camco-44123-F.../dp/B0006IX7TW

[axis earl]

Originally Posted by nancyregg

I'm a total newbie! How do I keep the refrigerator cold while driving? Do
I run it on the propane? Or does running the engine keep it cold?

Nancyregg,
You have no worries. We drove our Axis in the June-July summer heat from SoCal to Yellowstone and had it on AUTO. I had to turn the temp control down a bit so the back of the refrigerator didn't freeze the food. Never turned off the propane at any time. I think that they purposely put all that on the side opposite the fuel filler on the driver's side so you don't have to worry about it. Enjoy.

[vkb]

Originally Posted by nancyregg

I'm a total newbie! How do I keep the refrigerator cold while driving? Do
I run it on the propane? Or does running the engine keep it cold?

When our RV is sitting in driveway, we turn it off.
When in use, we turn it to 'auto' .. it automatically knows when you are on shore power, and uses elec....and gas when unplugged.
Use caution when at gas pump.

[TyCreek]

When the refrigerator is operating on propane there is an open flame. A flip of the battery disconnect switch to store mode allows RVs to refuel safely. Without 12V, the propane igniters and burners will shut down. A previous motorhome had the disconnect switch on the dash to make this precaution easy. Sure wish the Axis switch was in reach while driving!

[KNMIB]

In Florida, leaving a condo to start exploring the panhandle. I turned frig on this morning at 620 on gas and just checked it at 835 and the freezer is ready to go and refrigerator is cooling down. We ran 5000 miles in April and May out west and we where in 100 plus weather with no problem running on auto.

[Oneilkeys]

I fill the bottom of my freezer with water bottles and let them freeze before I load the freezer with food. That way, when I forget to turn the fridge back on after a gas stop, (never happen) it stays cold. If you are having problems with wam spots in your fridge, taking one if the frozen water bottles and putting it in the warm spot helps to equalize the temperature. The frozen water bottle should last a day or two before it unfreezes and you have to replace it with another from the freezer.

[SuperD]

Get one of the small fridge fans that run off of 2 D cell batteries. Place the fan in the lower left rear corner of your fridge. They do make a difference and the batteries will last for 30 days. I like the one with the on / off switch, a lot easier than taking the batteries out each time.

You can piggyback to the 12v on the back of fridge to run computer fan, just be sure to use meter first so you don't get 120v or the fan will go POOF!!! Using the 12v will cycle the fan when the fridge cycles, works great.

[nancyregg]

Originally Posted by Mo_Mike

By the way, how do you like your axis?

So now I am replying for the first time so I hope this works also. Thank you very much Mo Mike! So far we LOVE our Axis. Seems to be the perfect size for my husband and me. Lot's of storage, comfortable seats, nice walk around bed with handy shelf and cubby and great shower. Kitchen area works great too. My husband says it is easy to drive and is encouraging me to give it a try

[axis earl]

Originally Posted by nancyregg

So now I am replying for the first time so I hope this works also. Thank you very much Mo Mike! So far we LOVE our Axis. Seems to be the perfect size for my husband and me. Lot's of storage, comfortable seats, nice walk around bed with handy shelf and cubby and great shower. Kitchen area works great too. My husband says it is easy to drive and is encouraging me to give it a try

Suggest you find just the right piece of road with little traffic and no wind for your first drive... Get used to that first and work your way up to traffic and cross winds.

[SuperD]

Learning to drive: Start in a BIG parking lot so you can get a feel for the gas, brakes, and steering, progress from there. If yo go to You-Tube there are some excellent videos on driving. Lots of women drive motor homes, and 18 wheelers, and you can too!!! Slow and easy at first, more as you start to feel comfortable. Go do it and have FUN!!!

[jrizzo406]

I own a 24 foot (25 plus 3 foot cargo carrier) and drive it by myself. I drove a school bus for a number of years, enlarged van and it takes a wee bit of getting used to how it handles, tires, weight, cross winds, but it's such a pleasure you'll love it once you try it out!

[russue125]

Where is the off switch?

[Firehawk]

Has anyone had issues with refrigerator not working on propane only, the igniter does not work when the switch on the refrigerator is in Auto or Propane. When I turn on the generator the refrigerator will run on Propane. There appears to be a problem with the refrigerator not getting 12 volts when the generator is not running. This has been a problem since I purchased the unit, I am the 2nd owner and never noticed the issue till I went camping with a friend and he asked why I was running my generator when I pulled into the camp ground. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

[gmc]

Originally Posted by Firehawk

Has anyone had issues with refrigerator not working on propane only, the igniter does not work when the switch on the refrigerator is in Auto or Propane. When I turn on the generator the refrigerator will run on Propane. There appears to be a problem with the refrigerator not getting 12 volts when the generator is not running. This has been a problem since I purchased the unit, I am the 2nd owner and never noticed the issue till I went camping with a friend and he asked why I was running my generator when I pulled into the camp ground. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Be sure your use/store switch is in the 'USE' position, or you will not have 12v when not on shore power or Genny... (Converter provides 12v to coach when plugged in or on Genny regardless of switch position...)

Since you say it does run on propane when running Genny, indicates fuses, control board, ignitors are all ok...