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Old 08-28-2016, 12:42 PM   #1
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another noob fridge question

Had my first trip in the new trailer. I decided to turn off the propane while hauling it and left the fridge on auto. If there was no propane and obviously not plugged into electricity, would the fridge run on the trailer/truck battery while I was hauling it?

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Old 08-28-2016, 12:50 PM   #2
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Nope! It has to have 12 volt to operate the control circuitry, but only runs on propane or 120 volt AC. Why are you turning off the propane?
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Old 08-28-2016, 12:57 PM   #3
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Originally Posted by Tappy View Post
Had my first trip in the new trailer. I decided to turn off the propane while hauling it and left the fridge on auto. If there was no propane and obviously not plugged into electricity, would the fridge run on the trailer/truck battery while I was hauling it?

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There are some 3-way units that do run on 12 v, but 90+% of units are just 2-way. I doubt that CR sells any unit with a 3-way refer.
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Old 08-28-2016, 01:39 PM   #4
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Quote:
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Had my first trip in the new trailer. I decided to turn off the propane while hauling it and left the fridge on auto. If there was no propane and obviously not plugged into electricity, would the fridge run on the trailer/truck battery while I was hauling it?

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No, it needs either gas or 120VAC to heat the ammonia refrigerant. In fact, leaving it on auto with the gas off will cause it to keep trying to light the gas, i.e. sparking, until it gives up. You'll see a blinking gas light.
I'm the "leave the propane on, and travel that way - that's the what they are designed for" kind of guy. I don't even turn it off when refueling. The only thing I do is take the first pump, so the trailer with the "hazardous" gas fridge is WAY back there, far from the gas pump.
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Old 08-28-2016, 02:33 PM   #5
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Okay, thanks guys for your help once again.

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Old 08-28-2016, 04:25 PM   #6
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I'm the "leave the propane on, and travel that way - that's the what they are designed for" kind of guy. I don't even turn it off when refueling. The only thing I do is take the first pump, so the trailer with the "hazardous" gas fridge is WAY back there, far from the gas pump.
Me too...
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Old 08-28-2016, 06:59 PM   #7
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I run with the propane on for the fridge, but, I never, pull up to the gas pump with the fridge running. I always stop, and turn the fridge off before pulling in to get gas.
All it takes is for the wind to swirl the fumes around to that pilot and there will be a big explosion.
Be safe guys. It doesn't take that long to turn the fridge off and then back on after you have pulled away from the pumps.
It's not only for your safety, but all the other people there getting gas at the same time.
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Old 08-28-2016, 07:16 PM   #8
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Always good to be cautious Lloyd.

But the % of fuel vapor to air required to ignite an would be tough to reach. You'd pass out before a fridge 20 feet away from the pump could ignite fumes.
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Old 08-28-2016, 07:20 PM   #9
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Yes, I believe in being cautious.
I seen a friend of mine welding in his shop, and he had an empty gas can that was sitting on the other wall. Guess what? Yup, it blew. I was glad neither one of us was in line with the path of that gas can when it took off.
I have tremendous respect for gasoline fumes.
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Old 08-28-2016, 07:47 PM   #10
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Originally Posted by MartyinSC View Post
I'm the "leave the propane on, and travel that way - that's the what they are designed for" kind of guy. I don't even turn it off when refueling. The only thing I do is take the first pump, so the trailer with the "hazardous" gas fridge is WAY back there, far from the gas pump.
I do the same.
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Old 08-28-2016, 07:49 PM   #11
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Me too. In 30 years, I've never turned it off.

If you run with the refridge on auto mode:

Quote:
temporary gas lockout
In the Auto mode the gas operation will automatically be
locked out for a period of 15 minutes when the engine is
switched off (D+ terminal). This will prevent gas operation
e.g. when stopping at a refueling station. Note that the
temporary gas lockout feature does not work when the
AUTO mode is turned off! Consequently, when parking
close to a gasoline pump all LP gas appliances vented to
the outside of the vehicle must be turned off. Otherwise
gasoline fumes from gasoline pumps might enter LP gas
appliance and these can then ignite from the burner flame
and cause a fire or an explosion.
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Old 08-28-2016, 09:23 PM   #12
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Me too. In 30 years, I've never turned it off.

If you run with the refridge on auto mode:
Mark, is this a Dometic or Norcold frig? I've had both brands and don't recall ever seeing that info. That's a great feature if it is on both units.
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Old 08-28-2016, 09:36 PM   #13
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That's from Dometic.
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Old 08-29-2016, 06:28 AM   #14
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Mark, is this a Dometic or Norcold frig? I've had both brands and don't recall ever seeing that info. That's a great feature if it is on both units.

I have never seen that info either. I guess I will have to check mine to see if it operates that way. We do run in the auto mode and I don't ever remember catching the fridge being off when the truck was turned off.

Maybe my rig is to old for that feature.

Mark, have you ever actually checked yours to see if it does in fact work that way?
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Old 08-29-2016, 08:51 AM   #15
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Never heard of this either so did some checking. This feature is not available on all Dometic fridges and is ONLY available if a separate 12v or 24v wire has been run from the alternator to a D+ terminal on the fridge circuit board. Interesting feature but it does require a special wire in addition to the normal 12v battery connection.
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Old 08-29-2016, 08:56 AM   #16
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According to CR, they don't install Dometic in their units any more. It's either Norcold, or the Res. fridge in their bigger units.

I have the Norcold, and it does not operate the way Mark stated the Dometic does.
I did some digging and came up with this info.
New Generation RM3762 and RM3962 Refrigerators - Dometic Corp

Just to beleaguer the subject a little more-- If it wasn't unsafe to pull in and refuel with the fridge running, why did Dometic add this safety feature?

Gas stations state no smoking when refueling, and warn against doing anything to create static sparks. I'm sure you all have seen news clips of fires at gas stations just as I have.
I will continue to "be cautious" and turn my fridge off before pulling up to the pumps.
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Old 08-29-2016, 11:05 AM   #17
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Never heard of this either so did some checking. This feature is not available on all Dometic fridges and is ONLY available if a separate 12v or 24v wire has been run from the alternator to a D+ terminal on the fridge circuit board. Interesting feature but it does require a special wire in addition to the normal 12v battery connection.
On the factory wired TV the 12v charge line in the RV plug is disconnected when the ignition key is off. I wonder if you tapped into that line using a diode to eliminate backfeed from the rv battery if that would work with the Dometic. That would be easier than running a line from the alternator.
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