How long can I Run my Fridge on propane?
You should be able to run the fridge for MONTHS with 20#'s of propane. Only 21 years to retirement!!!! Posted By: RoadLife on 07/09/12 12:19am
How does an RV propane fridge work?
An RV fridge uses propane as an energy source. Two-way and three-way options run off of propane, 120V AC power, or 12V DC power. RV propane fridges use an absorption process to extract the heat inside instead of using compressor technology that you find in electric ones. A solution of hydrogen, ammonia, and water cools your fridge.
How long does propane last in an RV?
A single 20-pound tank of propane will last most trailers a month. During this month it will be powering simple things like your water heater, cooking tools, and refrigerator. This is longer than a battery will be able to power your RV fridge on average.
How many BTUs does an RV propane refrigerator use?
With that said, let’s look at a real-life example using the Dometic Americana 8 Cu. Ft. RV Propane Refrigerator. The Dometic RV fridge with 8 cubic feet of internal space is rated at 1500 BTUs (British thermal units) per hour.
How long will an RV fridge run on propane and battery?
An RV refrigerator will run off of the battery if your fridge model is set up for it or if it uses propane too. An absorption fridge will run on batteries only for about 3 hours but if using propane too it will last for weeks. A residential RV fridge will last for about 12 hours on batteries.
How long will a 20 lb propane tank run a refrigerator?
If you're using a standard 20-lb propane tank, you can expect it to last around 11 days (non-stop) before needing to replace or refill it. For a 30lb tank just add 50%; so it would last for 17.7 days non-stop.
How much propane does a RV fridge use?
Generally, a 10 to 12 cubic foot RV fridge will burn about 1.5 pounds of propane per day.
Does RV fridge need battery to run on propane?
Although propane refrigeration does not require electricity to run, you will still need at least a 10.5 V battery power to get it on. This energy boost is needed to open the gas base and spark the ignitor, otherwise, the fridge will not run.
Does RV fridge work better on propane?
Generally speaking, propane-powered RV fridges are preferred as they don't require a lot of maintenance, and they last longer as they don't have any moving parts. An electric fridge, on the other hand, is a bit safer and doesn't require you to be on the lookout for gas leaks.
How do I keep my RV fridge cold while traveling?
10 Tips to Keep Your RV Fridge Cold When DrivingLower the Fridge Temp Before Leaving. ... Refrigerate Items at Home Before Loading Them into Your Fridge. ... Consider what you pack in your fridge. ... Place Ice Packs in Your Fridge. ... Avoid Opening the Fridge While Traveling. ... Use a Fridge Fan Inside Your RV Fridge.More items...
Can you drive with your RV fridge on propane?
Remember to turn all appliances off when traveling. Most use an electric ignition that can create a spark and trigger an explosion if there is a break in the propane line. If you are an RV owner for whom safety is the first propriety, then traveling with your propane refrigerator switched off is the clear choice.
How long will a gallon of propane last?
That means that a 100-gallon propane tank will last for 7,320,000 BTU ÷ 10,000 BTU/h = 732 hours; that's 30.5 days or about 1 month....1st Calculation: How Long Will 100-Gallon Propane Tank Last (Based On Heating Need)Heating Need (BTU/h):100-Gallon Tank Lasts For:40,000 BTU/h8 days5 more rows
How long does an RV refrigerator last?
RV refrigerators typically last 10 to 18 years, and the average life of a refrigerator is 14 years. Many factors influence the life of fridges, including the type of refrigerator and environmental factors.
How long will a 12 volt battery run a RV refrigerator?
In general, a 12V-50Ah battery can run a 2 cubic feet 12V fridge for 35 to 50 hours before it's completely depleted. A 10 cubic feet RV refrigerator can run on the same battery for only 10 to 15 hours. However, it's important to note that: Batteries should not be fully discharged.
Can you drive with RV fridge on?
Yes, you can certainly run your RV refrigerator while driving. But you will need to decide on the level of RV travel safety risk you are willing to take.
How long does a Dometic fridge last on gas?
The Dometic RV fridge with 8 cubic feet of internal space is rated at 1500 BTUs (British thermal units) per hour. One gallon of propane has 91,502 BTUs. So essentially you could run your fridge for roughly 61 hours off 1 gallon of propane.
What is Propane, Exactly?
Propane is a derivative of natural gas that is also called Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG).
Propane Tanks in RVs
Not every appliance in your RV is powered by propane, but many are. Some common appliances powered by propane include stoves, heaters, furnaces, water heaters, and refrigerators.
How Long Can an RV Refrigerator Run with Various Propane Tanks?
The average BTU rating for an RV fridge is about 1,500 BTU. Propane gas produces enough heat for about 91,500 BTU of heat per gallon.
British Thermal Units and Propane Usage
The power used by appliances can be measured in British Thermal Units, or BTU (s). Technically a BTU is a unit of heat.
What Other RV Appliances Use Propane?
Your RV refrigerator will not cause too much drain on your RV’s propane tank.
Conserving Propane
If you want to save propane to avoid needing to fill up part of the way through your trip, there are things that you can do.
Conclusion
Your RV refrigerator is not the greatest drain on the propane reserves in your RV. If you have a propane gauge, you could run your refrigerator for days without even noticing a change.
How long can a propane fridge run on propane?
How Long Can RV Fridge Run on Propane? A 20lb propane container has 4 gallons of propane. It will operate an RV fridge for 11 days if consuming 1500 BTU per hour. Propane provides heat to run a cold body.
How much propane does an RV fridge use?
Many RV propane fridge users complained that their fridge uses a good deal of propane, almost 36000 BTU or 1.5 pounds per day. It can run long or short depending on how you treat, the efficiency of gas, fridge size, ...
How many volts does a propane fridge need?
No need to worry, it will not be expensive. It is necessary to attach a small power bank that runs on a small voltage. Most of the time, it requires 10.5 volts of battery power to ignite the RV propane fridge.
How do RV refrigerator fans work?
RV Fridge cooling fans: You can improve thermal efficiency by lowering the temperature. The fans do this job. They also drive cool air throughout the fridge from freezer to refrigerator. So you can call them to ridge assistants. Pre-cooling of fridge or food: ice packs can be a good option.
Does propane have ammonia?
Propane fridges use ammonia and, you must be aware of ammonia smell. In case of leakage, turn off all the connections, locate the position and wrap the point with scotch tape with five or six-folds. You have added fans for better at the expense of lower. Keep fans on the shelf that is at the lowest point.
Does an air conditioner work better on a propane fridge?
In the presence of an air conditioner, the fridge will work best or, you can say, a chill environment increases propane fridge efficiency.
Can propane ignite?
There is the continuous movement of appliances and gas in a propane tank. This gas can leak and spark to ignite. It will take a few seconds and can trigger fire with no much time to overcome the situation. While traveling to gas stations, must power off all the appliances working on propane.
About RV Refrigerators with LP Gas Systems
As we already mentioned, RV refrigerators that run on propane tanks are called LP gas systems. You should definitely opt for one of these refrigerators if your RV or refrigerator placement has limited access to electrical outlets.
Do RV Refrigerators Need a Battery to Run on Propane?
Yes. Any RV refrigerator that runs on propane needs at least 10.5 volts of battery power. This power is used to open the gas valve, as well as spark the igniter. If you do not have battery power, the refrigerator will not run properly. In fact, many broken RV fridges don’t work properly due to a malfunction with the battery.
How Much Propane Does an RV Refrigerator Use?
One of the first questions you are likely to ask about RV refrigerators with LP gas systems is how much propane the refrigerator uses. Unfortunately, it is very difficult to give an exact number since propane use depends on a variety of factors, such as the refrigerator-size and age.
LP Gas RV Refrigerator Safety
Because you will be spending so much time and money on this RV, you naturally want the safest option. Although LP gas RV fridges are considered very safe to use, they come with risks, just as everything else that involves propane. Here are some key safety facts about RV fridges that use LP gas systems.
Final Thoughts
Some of the most popular types of RV fridges are run using propane tanks. These sorts of fridges are very different from the fridges you put in your home, which is why the propane tank can last so long. Once again, you can expect a 20 lb. tank of propane to last about 16.5 days.
How Does an RV Fridge Work?
One may easily assume that an RV fridge functions just like the traditional residential fridge. But unlike the residential fridge that works with the use of a compressor, your RV fridge works as an absorption refrigerator with no moving parts.
Conclusion
Propane tanks are only designed to last about 7 hours on a full tank. You can purchase an extra propane tank or you can use your RV fridge’s converter which will turn 12 volts of power into 110 so that it can be plugged in at any regular outlet.
