castore357
Member
Is it OK to drive with refrigerator running? I've heard from some that it's not due to the oil in the compressor. Is this true?
Driving with refrig on
- Thread starter castore357
- Start date
Grassjohn
Well-known member
I can only speak for RV refrigerators (propane / 110v electric): they will operate while towing and they don’t have a compressor. The risk I would mention is, you have to tow with the propane turned on (unless you provide 110v power). I towed with the RV fridge running on propane every trip, with the exception being a few tunnels that require the propane be shut off at the tank.
This topic can be debated at every campground, typically around a campfire with adult beverages.
This topic can be debated at every campground, typically around a campfire with adult beverages.
castore357
Member
Ok. Ty
castore357
Member
Ty
castore357
Member
Lol. Ty
castore357
Member
Mike in North Wales
Well-known member
News to me. Kinda makes it useless to have a fridge if you can't use it while you travel. We've traveled with our 12VDC compressor fridge on for the last year with no issues.
castore357
Member
👍 Ty
Midnight Rider
Prominent Member
Looks like the new 12 volt fridges have a low power mode? That sounds like it would be good for battery life on long haul days?
BryanValRox
Elite Member
In my opinion, it shouldn’t be a problem either way. I believe the low power/night mode is a feature to reduce compressor noise during the nighttime hours. Ours is actually adjustable, I believe the default is 8 hours. I think that it reduces compressor cycling for those sensitive to overnight noise.
I guess it comes down to a personal choice whether you choose to use it on travel days for power savings.
Between the solar panel and the trucks charge line, the battery should maintain charge on your travel days.
We recently completed a round trip from MD to IN.(11 hours one way) in normal mode without any negative impact.
Our temperature monitor gave us visibility to the Frig/Freezer temps going down the road.
Turn them on...leave them on. 25+ years with RV's, and I have always turned the frig on before leaving and then off when we get home. This is true for all types...propane, 120v and now our 12v only model.
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Bryan,
Say you don't have a solar panel and you drive for a long haul with the 12v frig on, do you think the tow vehicle will keep the battery from draining too much? We have a 2025 Avenue 24rk on order and most likely will get a deep cycle battery from the dealer since we opt out of the solar package. Or should I just replace the battery with a Lithium battery of my choice.
Thanks,
Mark
Mark - Does the 24RK come with any solar? I was under the impression most Alliance 5th Wheel units now come with at least 1 320w solar panel.
A 320w panel will product ~12-15amp under good sunny conditions (no clouds or shade from trees) While driving this panel will keep up with the 12v frig, as that will pull ~5-8amps....and that is only when it is "running". Once the frig gets cold enough it will stop and hardly use any power. Best case...only put cold stuff in the frig from your home and run the frig ~24hrs (or more if possible) to get it to correct temps prior to leaving.
Now..of course a Lithium battery will help, but my guess is you don't need that for just drivng between campground with full hook ups. Now, if you are planning to go boondocking...that is a completly different conversation.
From what i have been told the 24rk does not come with any solar although it would be nice to have, but since we don't plan on boondocking it's not necessary.
Thanks,
Mark
BryanValRox
Elite Member
Hi Mark, I look at it this way, driving with the frig on should be considered normal operation.
I can’t tell from published brochures if the 24RK has any standard Solar .
So assuming it doesn’t, your battery capacity is a function of AH rating and the amount of load being placed on it.
As Jim posted, a pre cool at home and loading with pre cooled food would minimize the amount of time that the compressor etc would run.
Your trucks charge line should supply some amount of charge back to the battery to help restore capacity.(can’t say how much in your specific case)
Keep in mind that active demand on your battery while traveling isn’t as much as folks think(in std equipped coach). Off the top of my head, the 12v frig will likely be your biggest draw on your battery on travel days,(again on a std equipped coach)and that would only peak when the compressor cycles and truck would resupply at some level in between compressor cycling.
My opinion would be that if the dealer supplied a decent battery upon your delivery, you will likely be fine.
We travel with a wireless thermometer monitor on the dash board so we can tell what the temps are in both the frig and freezer while going down the road.
Midnight Rider
Prominent Member
Bryan,
do you have a link to the wireless fridge and freezer monitor you mentioned in your comments?
thanks
BryanValRox
Elite Member
AMW,
Here you go!
It appears they changed the monitor styling since we brought ours, but this is it.
We take batteries out in between trips, and the signal is strong enough that I keep the monitor in the house during the pre cool event, so we can make sure thing are working ok pre trip/pre-stocking. I have used many Acurite products over the years and have been happy with them.