Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 
 


HVAC, Appliances and Propane Systems Heating, Air Conditioning, Refrigerator, stove, propane systems and more.
Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 08-12-2017, 03:12 PM   #1
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Adrian, Mi.
Posts: 144
Default Fridge DC power Requirements

Our 2001 260TFB has a three way fridge.
Is is necessary to have the fridge connected to a battery to run properly?

I ask because our previous trailer (a 2005) had a 110/ propane fridge that required a battery be attached to it to run when on propane ( according to the manual even if the battery was "dead"). I think this was because the unit had a microprocessor to control the propane.

My thinking is that this 2001 which has the stock/ original fridge does not need the battery while on propane. It is from pre- computer times.

Can someone confirm this?
__________________

Bravada is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-12-2017, 05:31 PM   #2
Site Team
 
JackandJanet's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Pine, AZ
Posts: 4,527
Default

I can only talk about the fridge in my trailer, a 2007 model. It has to have DC power to the control panel to run, on any of the cooling power sources (AC, DC and Propane). If yours does not use electrical power to turn on, I suppose it's possible it would not need the battery. However, I'm having trouble figuring out how it would be controlled this way. My guess is, it needs some kind of electrical power.

- Jack
__________________

__________________
Hi-Lo 1707T - Tire Minder TPMS on Tow Vehicle and Trailer, 300W Solar Battery Charger, Equal-i-zer WDH, Progressive Dynamics Converter, Fan-Tastic Fan, LiFePO4 battery 12V DC Electrical System
2014 F150 Platinum 4x4 3.5L EcoBoost SCrew
JackandJanet is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-13-2017, 09:59 PM   #3
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Colorado
Posts: 186
Default

I'm playing the "just supposing" here Jack, I don't think anything made in the last 40;years or so works this way, "but"...

A purely mechanical ammonia fridge could work by using a typical bi-metal spring thermostat controlling a simple mechanical gas valve. This would require a pilot light of course.

Just throwing it out there as a thought experiment. I doubt any ammonia systems have been made this way since the early 70's or so.
KnottyRig is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-13-2017, 11:32 PM   #4
Site Team
 
JackandJanet's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Pine, AZ
Posts: 4,527
Default

I think your "thought experiment" is a good one, Knotty. So, it could be turned on using a simple ON/OFF gas valve too.

My guess though, as you implied, is that it's electrically controlled. Sometimes I'm really grateful for progress!

- Jack
JackandJanet is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-14-2017, 06:10 AM   #5
Moderator
 
RichR's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: NW PA
Posts: 3,386
Default

If your fridge has a manual push button pilot light on the control panel there is probably no electric control module requiring 12 volt power. The flame stays lit all the time, whereas the electrically controlled units have an igniter to light the flame as needed.
__________________
My Great Wife Joyce
2018 Jayco Jay Flight 21QB
Formerly owned 1705T and 2310H
2012 F150 4X4 SuperCrew EcoBoost w/Leer Cap
Reese WD Strait-Line Hitch
Amateur Radio K3EXU
RichR is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-14-2017, 10:05 AM   #6
Site Team
 
JackandJanet's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Pine, AZ
Posts: 4,527
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by RichR View Post
If your fridge has a manual push button pilot light on the control panel there is probably no electric control module requiring 12 volt power. The flame stays lit all the time, whereas the electrically controlled units have an igniter to light the flame as needed.
But Rich, what about when it operates on electricity? Wouldn't there be some kind of electrical temperature control then? (The thermostat). I can't imagine there'd be a different one for propane cooling.

And, if the flame stays lit all the time, wouldn't the refrigerator get TOO cold?

I'm not being argumentative - just trying to understand how such a device could work.

- Jack
JackandJanet is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-14-2017, 01:29 PM   #7
Moderator
 
RichR's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: NW PA
Posts: 3,386
Default

Our 1705T had the push button spark lighter for the flame and it stayed on all the time. I think the height of the flame was the only thing that regulated it. The 12volt and 110 volt modes probably were electrically controlled in some manner.
__________________
My Great Wife Joyce
2018 Jayco Jay Flight 21QB
Formerly owned 1705T and 2310H
2012 F150 4X4 SuperCrew EcoBoost w/Leer Cap
Reese WD Strait-Line Hitch
Amateur Radio K3EXU
RichR is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-14-2017, 01:59 PM   #8
Site Team
 
Treeclimber's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: SWFL Bonita Springs/Andrews, NC
Posts: 1,264
Default

I think when Jack said "the flame stays on", he was referring to the pilot light. When the thermostat says "It's getting warm in here", the pilot ignites the burner section and starts the cooling cycle. How's that sound?
Tree
__________________
Treeclimber
2703 Tow Lite
2002 Escalade
Bonita Springs, Fl. &
Andrews, NC
Treeclimber is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-14-2017, 02:43 PM   #9
Site Team
 
JackandJanet's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Pine, AZ
Posts: 4,527
Default

I'm not really sure WHAT I'm talking about here.

In my trailer, the propane flame is very small for the refrigerator. I've actually never seen it (although now that I think of it I've never taken the panel off to look for it while it's operating). I just know the "burner section", seems to be very small.

Still, SOMETHING controls the internal temperature in the refrigerator. It COULD be a bi-metal strip like Knotty suggested that somehow opens and closes a valve, but that seems pretty crude. I really think it's electrical, and that implies a likely DC power source. This gets back to Bravada's original question - "Does it need to be connected to a battery to operate?" I still think the answer is "yes".

- Jack
JackandJanet is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-14-2017, 05:50 PM   #10
Moderator
 
RichR's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: NW PA
Posts: 3,386
Default

I can buy LP gas refrigerators at Lehman's Hardware in Kidron, OH that do not require electric. Amish and off griders buy them. They are thermostatically controlled. They aren't far from where the Hi-Lo factory was.
https://www.lehmans.com/product/diam...refrigerators/
__________________
My Great Wife Joyce
2018 Jayco Jay Flight 21QB
Formerly owned 1705T and 2310H
2012 F150 4X4 SuperCrew EcoBoost w/Leer Cap
Reese WD Strait-Line Hitch
Amateur Radio K3EXU
RichR is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-14-2017, 06:02 PM   #11
Moderator
 
RichR's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: NW PA
Posts: 3,386
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Bravada View Post
Our 2001 260TFB has a three way fridge.
Is is necessary to have the fridge connected to a battery to run properly?

I ask because our previous trailer (a 2005) had a 110/ propane fridge that required a battery be attached to it to run when on propane ( according to the manual even if the battery was "dead"). I think this was because the unit had a microprocessor to control the propane.

My thinking is that this 2001 which has the stock/ original fridge does not need the battery while on propane. It is from pre- computer times.

Can someone confirm this?
If it doesn't have a push button to light the burner it is most likely module controlled. If you remove the lower out side cover you can probably see the module.
__________________
My Great Wife Joyce
2018 Jayco Jay Flight 21QB
Formerly owned 1705T and 2310H
2012 F150 4X4 SuperCrew EcoBoost w/Leer Cap
Reese WD Strait-Line Hitch
Amateur Radio K3EXU
RichR is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-14-2017, 06:22 PM   #12
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Adrian, Mi.
Posts: 144
Default

My fridge is a Dometic, Americana, RM 2453.

Reading the manual online it doesn't need D.C. power to run on LP.

Will verify with my own test by pulling the breakers/ fuses and running it.
Bravada is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-14-2017, 07:32 PM   #13
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Colorado
Posts: 186
Default

That's pretty cool Rich-thanks for the link!
KnottyRig is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-14-2017, 07:46 PM   #14
Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Gilbert, AZ
Posts: 23
Default

Bravado,

I'm sorry to report that page 7 of my RM2453 manual says "This refrigerator model require a continuous 12 volt DC supply to maintain the automatic energy system." It is one of the few circuits that is always live in my Hi-Lo. You are going to need 12 volts in order to get your fridge to work.

George
WB4IPB
Astroham is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-14-2017, 08:24 PM   #15
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Adrian, Mi.
Posts: 144
Default

Thanks for catching that. I'll go back and reread it. Don't want to push incorrect info.
Bravada is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-14-2017, 08:32 PM   #16
Site Team
 
JackandJanet's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Pine, AZ
Posts: 4,527
Default

Rich, I bow to your superior knowledge on this subject. *bows* *bows* I'll have to learn how those things work. I would not have guessed it was practical.

- Jack
JackandJanet is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-15-2017, 07:04 AM   #17
Moderator
 
RichR's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: NW PA
Posts: 3,386
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by JackandJanet View Post
Rich, I bow to your superior knowledge on this subject. *bows* *bows* I'll have to learn how those things work. I would not have guessed it was practical.

- Jack
Bows not required. Maybe a bow-wow is more in order.
__________________
My Great Wife Joyce
2018 Jayco Jay Flight 21QB
Formerly owned 1705T and 2310H
2012 F150 4X4 SuperCrew EcoBoost w/Leer Cap
Reese WD Strait-Line Hitch
Amateur Radio K3EXU
RichR is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-15-2017, 08:39 AM   #18
Site Team
 
JackandJanet's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Pine, AZ
Posts: 4,527
Default

Woof!

- Jack
JackandJanet is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-02-2017, 07:44 PM   #19
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Adrian, Mi.
Posts: 144
Default

Results.

Disconnected the battery from the trailer. Disconnected the shore power. Propane on.

Fridge started and ran on propane.

Went back and re read that manual I was referring to it was for the Canadian market. Never bothered to look for one specific for the US market.
Bravada is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-03-2017, 08:04 PM   #20
sam
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Niagara Falls,NY
Posts: 4,051
Default Have owned our HiLo since 2001

Still learning operational information as the situations present themselves.
__________________

sam is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Hi-Lo Trailers Worldwide or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:38 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
HiLoTrailerForum.com Copyright 2010
×