How long does propane last for fridge

[nachtmsk]

Good Morning everyone,

I wanted to leave my camper in storage up in the NC Mountains at a campground for about 12 days because I'll be heading back to the campground after that. I was thinking of leaving the food in the fridge and the propane on. Do you think a full 30lb tank of propane would keep the fridge running for that long? Seems to me like it would particularly since it won't be opened and shut at all.
Thoughts?

Thanks,
mike

[Lloyd]

If all that you have running on the LP is the fridge, you will be just fine.
When we are out in the fall, LP consumption is pretty low--until we have to start using the furnace.
We don't have electric available in the fall.

[nachtmsk]

Thanks Lloyd. That's what I figured.
Mike

[CampMacKay]

If you are only on battery in storage, then you will only have a few days, then the fridge will shut off. They require 12 volts for the control circuits. If on shore power then you are fine.

[Lloyd]

Originally Posted by CampMacKay

If you are only on battery in storage, then you will only have a few days, then the fridge will shut off. They require 12 volts for the control circuits. If on shore power then you are fine.

That's a good point. I never gave that aspect of it any thought. I have two 6V deep cycle batteries in our rig and wasn't considering that maybe nachtmsk didn't have the same setup.

With only one battery, I don't know how long it would run the fridge.

[coastn]

Neighbors left theirs running on propane while they went backpacking on the North Rim of Grand Canyon. Lasted 3 or 4 days 'til the battery was depleted and their food spoiled. Lesson learned.

[sleepyT]

Mike
I would talk to the campground owners and ask if you could run a 110V extension cord to your camper...

[nachtmsk]

Thanks for all of the feed back. I only have one battery. I didn't realize the fridge required AC as well as propane. I'll see if I can get power to the rig. If not, I'll bring it back home and then head back out 10 days later.
Mike

[MartyinSC]

Originally Posted by nachtmsk

Thanks for all of the feed back. I only have one battery. I didn't realize the fridge required AC as well as propane. I'll see if I can get power to the rig. If not, I'll bring it back home and then head back out 10 days later.
Mike

It doesn't need AC, it needs 12VDC for the control circuit and flame sparker to light the propane. It could also be done with more 12V batteries. But if you're going to plug into 120 VAC, then switch it to Electric, and don't worry about the propane. You could still burn propane, but the on-board converter would keep your battery charged, at least.

BTW, my recent Coleman with a little fridge used the old microvolt system, i.e. hold the button down, and light the pilot until the flame would stay on when released. That "old school" solution had the advantage of not needing 12VDC. In technology, when we take a step forward, we lose some of the past, don't we?

[Dayle1]

Originally Posted by MartyinSC

BTW, my recent Coleman with a little fridge used the old microvolt system, i.e. hold the button down, and light the pilot until the flame would stay on when released. That "old school" solution had the advantage of not needing 12VDC. In technology, when we take a step forward, we lose some of the past, don't we?

AH, but the pilot light also consumed propane continuously and would empty a bottle much sooner. So, in reality, it is just different tradeoffs.