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03-29-2018, 09:45 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Windsport 29M
State: New York
Posts: 148
THOR #8264
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Generator or propane
We are going on our first major trip soon. Should we use the generator for the fridge or propane? I'm not a big fan of driving with an open flame. Each leg of our trip is about six hours? It is also easier to get gas than propane.
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03-29-2018, 09:55 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Brand: Still Looking
Model: SOB
State: South Dakota
Posts: 941
THOR #3916
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Basically....Just flip a coin, each have their good and poor qualities..
IF you have an inverter, no need to run the gennie as batteries should be charged by the big engine when traveling me thinks..
__________________
current coach
An SOB Shack called Foretravel...This will Do.
former coach
Thor Infinity
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03-29-2018, 10:00 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Windsport 29M
State: New York
Posts: 148
THOR #8264
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I have an inverter, but my understanding is the house batteries are charged by the generator or shore power.
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03-29-2018, 10:06 PM
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#4
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Axis/Vegas Enthusiast
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Axis 24.4
State: Michigan
Posts: 9,837
THOR #1150
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The house batteries are also charged by the engine alternator.
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03-29-2018, 10:17 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Hurricane 31S
State: Texas
Posts: 4,157
THOR #6411
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PNTR10
We are going on our first major trip soon. Should we use the generator for the fridge or propane? I'm not a big fan of driving with an open flame. Each leg of our trip is about six hours? It is also easier to get gas than propane.
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Just remember running the frig on propane is unreliable above 5,000 ft, so the generator is your only option. It is my understanding that dual mode friges are not wired through the inverter.
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Jim & Roy Davis
2016 Hurricane 31S
1961 Rampside in tow
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03-29-2018, 10:18 PM
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#6
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I Think We're Lost!
Brand: Still Looking
Model: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
State: New York
Posts: 22,195
THOR #8860
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The alternator will be doing it's dead-level best, to keep ALL of the batteries charged-up. Start your rig up, and let the 'Fridge run on electricity.
(Just make sure that you have the "Use/Store" switch set to "Use"!
__________________
"What: me worry?"
Good Sam Member 843599689
Current coach: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
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03-29-2018, 10:28 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Windsport 29M
State: New York
Posts: 148
THOR #8264
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Bob, If I am in the use position does the inverter have to be on for the fridge?I have yet to use the inverter. Why would I ever want to use propane for the fridge? So far I have only used the propane for heat and the bbq. This is our first long trip, we're headed out for three weeks. Thanks
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03-29-2018, 10:33 PM
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#8
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I Think We're Lost!
Brand: Still Looking
Model: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
State: New York
Posts: 22,195
THOR #8860
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Mine switches back and forth automatically...
__________________
"What: me worry?"
Good Sam Member 843599689
Current coach: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
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03-29-2018, 10:34 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Four Winds 22B
State: Florida
Posts: 465
THOR #5326
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Always use genie also if it gets to hot inside MH can throw on the AC it uses minimal gas to run it
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Don & Liz B.
Four Winds 22B
Sunseeker 2800QSF GTS (Loss to hurricane Ian)
Windsport 27K
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03-29-2018, 11:14 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Brand: Still Looking
Model: SOB
State: South Dakota
Posts: 941
THOR #3916
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Beau388
Just remember running the frig on propane is unreliable above 5,000 ft, so the generator is your only option. It is my understanding that dual mode friges are not wired through the inverter.
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Our old '99 Thor/Four Winds/Infinity 34-H and our present coach both were wired thru the inverter.. had 2 plug ins , one for the shore power and one for the inverter.....
__________________
current coach
An SOB Shack called Foretravel...This will Do.
former coach
Thor Infinity
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03-29-2018, 11:56 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: outlaw 37ls
State: Europe
Posts: 230
THOR #6831
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frig
my 37ls outlaw has the fridge wired through the inverter for control power only, the motor runs off the gen or shore power, control power is need to run propane, i sent fridge to auto and let it run propane when needed and it goes to power when plugged in or gen, this is the way it is designed to work and works very very good.
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03-30-2018, 12:38 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Brand: DRV
Model: 44' Santa Fe
State: Montana
Posts: 392
THOR #2053
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If you have an RV refig it is 12V so the invertor is not even in the formula. Invertors turn 12v into 120v, convertors turn 120v into 12v, alternators are turned by the engine running and produce 12v. If you have an rv refig you need to have 12v for the controls, + a method to heat the ammonia. Either propane or 120v. If you do have a rv refig it is doubtful that it is connected to an invertor. Why add complexity and expense to an already confusing and costly system when you already have propane and a battery? No matter what you read on the net driving with propane on is not a problem, otherwise they would not have designed them to work while doing so. Unless of course you can show me a first hand experience of someone having an emergency while doing so. Yes, I do know that A FEW tunnels require the tanks to be shut off. So do ferry boats.
Bill
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03-30-2018, 12:39 AM
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#13
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Gemini 24TX (Formerly)
State: California
Posts: 1,459
THOR #5821
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Not sure which refrigerator you have, but most of the new ones are three way, meaning they will run on propane, 12 volts or 120 volts. You can run it on 120 volts while underway, if you have an inverter that powers it, or you can run it on 12 volts. Either way your vehicle alternator while underway, will keep your batteries charged, replacing what the refrigerator uses. Mine, for instance, is powered by an inverter, so I leave it running on 120 volts while underway. If I park for any period of time, with no shore power, I switch it to LP.
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03-30-2018, 01:10 AM
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#14
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: 2023 Jayco Precept 31UL
State: Florida
Posts: 2,914
THOR #1589
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I second Porkchop's comments. Doubt you have a 3 way fridge in a Windsport, the specs say it is electric or propane. That's 2 way, and your choices are plugged in to shore power, run the generator or LP gas (using 12 volt for spark and to pump the refrigerant.) The specs don't show an inverter.
Let me add another option for you to consider. We have friends that do that, don't open it much, and say it is good for several hours. Don't try that in the southern summer. Like captmetal said, we run ours on Auto, but we turn it to Off at gas stations.
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Life is better when you cry a little, laugh a lot, and are thankful for everything you've got!
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03-30-2018, 01:16 AM
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#15
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Site Team
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: ACE 27.1
State: Florida
Posts: 14,133
THOR #7035
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A standard 29M has a RV refrigerator which uses 12 VDC for control power which requires the USE/STORE switch to be in USE.
Both the 120 VAC and the propane are used to create heat for the refrigeration cycle. Any inverter you may have will most likely NOT be wired to supply the fridge's 120 VAC unless it is a custom install.
So you are back to your original question: Propane or Generator.
95% of RVs on the road have their fridges running with propane as they travel. If you are running your generator for other reasons it will supply the fridge as well, but the generator was not installed in a RV with an absorption (RV) fridge for the purpose of powering the fridge as you travel.
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Ted & Melinda
2016 ACE 27.1
2016 Chevy Sonic Toad - Selling
2020 Chevy Colorado Z71 Trail Runner Toad
2024 Chevrolet Trax 2RS - Soon 2B TOAD
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03-30-2018, 03:00 AM
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#16
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: S.O.B.
State: California
Posts: 1,368
THOR #3483
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tfryman
A standard 29M has a RV refrigerator which uses 12 VDC for control power which requires the USE/STORE switch to be in USE.
Both the 120 VAC and the propane are used to create heat for the refrigeration cycle. Any inverter you may have will most likely NOT be wired to supply the fridge's 120 VAC unless it is a custom install.
So you are back to your original question: Propane or Generator.
95% of RVs on the road have their fridges running with propane as they travel. If you are running your generator for other reasons it will supply the fridge as well, but the generator was not installed in a RV with an absorption (RV) fridge for the purpose of powering the fridge as you travel.
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Second that comment as well. Put it on AUTO, drive....
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03-30-2018, 01:22 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
Brand: Still Looking
State: Texas
Posts: 6,187
THOR #2121
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tfryman
.....cut....
95% of RVs on the road have their fridges running with propane as they travel. If you are running your generator for other reasons it will supply the fridge as well, but the generator was not installed in a RV with an absorption (RV) fridge for the purpose of powering the fridge as you travel.
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Exactly what he, Porkchop, and others have stated.
Also keep in mind that these same 2-way absorption refrigerators are installed in most camping trailers, and most of those trailers don’t have built-in generators they can run while driving down the road. Therefore, they must run refrigerator on propane. That’s what these refrigerators were designed to do.
If you happen to have a 3-way fridge (and I doubt you do), then 12-Volt operation from battery/alternator is OK, but not necessary. The amount of propane a refrigerator uses is quite low.
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03-30-2018, 01:35 PM
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#18
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Windsport 29M
State: New York
Posts: 148
THOR #8264
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THANKS, For all the replies.
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03-30-2018, 01:42 PM
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#19
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
State: California
Posts: 273
THOR #10354
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Laco
Not sure which refrigerator you have, but most of the new ones are three way, meaning they will run on propane, 12 volts or 120 volts. You can run it on 120 volts while underway, if you have an inverter that powers it, or you can run it on 12 volts. Either way your vehicle alternator while underway, will keep your batteries charged, replacing what the refrigerator uses. Mine, for instance, is powered by an inverter, so I leave it running on 120 volts while underway. If I park for any period of time, with no shore power, I switch it to LP.
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WOW! Be careful of what you say. I just purchased a 2017 Thor Vegas 25.2 and found out that the refrigerator is only 2-Way, 110 VAC or Propane. I was very surprised to see this but you will need to look up the refrigerator's model number and then look it up on the internet.
Norcold For N61X/N81X models: 6/8 cu.ft., 2-way, R.V. refrigerators. If you do not believe me, look it up!
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03-30-2018, 02:28 PM
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#20
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I Think We're Lost!
Brand: Still Looking
Model: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
State: New York
Posts: 22,195
THOR #8860
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Mine is also just a two-way: propane, or 12 volt...
But it seems to switch back and forth seamlessly.
__________________
"What: me worry?"
Good Sam Member 843599689
Current coach: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
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