| norcold frig question [message #108387] |
Sun, 12 December 2010 19:29  |
RadioActiveGMC
Messages: 1020
Registered: November 2010
Location: Hot AZ desert
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I've only ever run my Norcold on LP, however it can be run on LP or Electric. I was wondering during the drive to the camp, can I switch the knob over to electric so it will stay cold during the drive. Then switch over to LP once we get camp setup?
***"Gettin There"-1973 23' Sequoia-
Michael, Onans smell, "Go solar/wind power!"
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| Re: norcold frig question [message #108388 is a reply to message #108387] |
Sun, 12 December 2010 20:26  |
roy1
Messages: 2126
Registered: July 2004
Location: Minden nevada
Karma: 6
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If it is a 2 way refer the electric position is only for 120 volt AC. If it is a 3 way refer the 12v DC is a maintenance mode that will give you some cooling for short distances .
Roy
]I've only ever run my Norcold on LP, however it can be run on LP or Electric. I was wondering during the drive to the camp, can I switch the knob over to electric so it will stay cold during the drive. Then switch over to LP once we get camp setup? [/quote]
Roy Keen
Minden,NV
76 X Glenbrook
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| Re: [GMCnet] norcold frig question [message #108395 is a reply to message #108387] |
Sun, 12 December 2010 21:11 |
emerystora
Messages: 4442
Registered: January 2004
Karma: 13
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On Dec 12, 2010, at 6:29 PM, Michael wrote:
>
>
> I've only ever run my Norcold on LP, however it can be run on LP or Electric. I was wondering during the drive to the camp, can I switch the knob over to electric so it will stay cold during the drive. Then switch over to LP once we get camp setup?
> --
> 1973 23' Sequoia-
> Michael, Casa Grande, AZ
Is it a 2 way or a 3 way?
A 2 way uses either propane or 120 v. AC electric (plug into home or a campsite).
A 3 way uses either propane or 120 v. AC electric or 12 v DC electric
If it can be set on 12 volt this can then use battery power while on the road or camping. However this is not very efficient and will soon draw down your battery if dry camping While driving your alternator will keep the battery charged. You will find, however, that your freezer is not as cold.
Most people just use the propane when travellng. It is the best way to cool your refrigerator.
Emery Stora
77 Kingsley
Santa Fe, NM
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| Re: [GMCnet] norcold frig question [message #108397 is a reply to message #108387] |
Sun, 12 December 2010 22:14 |
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USAussie
Messages: 15912
Registered: July 2007
Location: Sydney, Australia
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Michael,
Depends on what kind of fridge it is. If it is a "Three way fridge" it will
run off:
1 - LPG
2 - 120 Volts AC
3 - 12 Volts DC
If it is a "Two way fridge" it will run off:
1 - LPG
2 - 120 Volts AC
Open up the outside vent and look in to see if it's plugged into a standard
outlet. You will probably see it is also wired into the 12 VDC system as
that's what it uses for control. Well my Dometic does anyway!
I'm about to get myself into trouble with what I say next - I leave my
Dometic set to Automatic and the LPG on and that's the way it stays cold
when we're on the road as it's only a two way fridge. When I plug in at a
campsite the fridge senses it and automatically switches over to 120VAC.
Regards,
Rob M.
USAussie - Downunder
-----Original Message-----
From: gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org
[mailto:gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org] On Behalf Of Michael
Sent: Monday, December 13, 2010 12:30 PM
To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
Subject: [GMCnet] norcold frig question
I've only ever run my Norcold on LP, however it can be run on LP or
Electric. I was wondering during the drive to the camp, can I switch the
knob over to electric so it will stay cold during the drive. Then switch
over to LP once we get camp setup?
--
1973 23' Sequoia-
Michael, Casa Grande, AZ
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Regards,
Rob M. (USAussie)
The Pedantic Mechanic
Sydney, Australia
'75 Avion - AUS - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
'75 Avion - USA - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
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| Re: norcold frig question [message #108399 is a reply to message #108387] |
Sun, 12 December 2010 22:21 |
RadioActiveGMC
Messages: 1020
Registered: November 2010
Location: Hot AZ desert
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Now that I think about it, its a 2 way. Either LP, now I understand however the electric side is 120v.
Is it safe to drive with the LP for the frig on?
***"Gettin There"-1973 23' Sequoia-
Michael, Onans smell, "Go solar/wind power!"
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| Re: norcold frig question [message #108405 is a reply to message #108399] |
Sun, 12 December 2010 23:45 |
Ken Burton
Messages: 10030
Registered: January 2004
Location: Hebron, Indiana
Karma: 10
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I do not know why not. I turn mine on before I leave home an shut it off weeks later when I return. I do shut it off when I am refilling with gasoline at the gas station. I start it again after I get a block or two down the road.
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
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| Re: [GMCnet] norcold frig question [message #108412 is a reply to message #108399] |
Mon, 13 December 2010 06:04 |
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USAussie
Messages: 15912
Registered: July 2007
Location: Sydney, Australia
Karma: 6
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Michael,
-----Original Message-----
From: gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org
[mailto:gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org] On Behalf Of Michael
Sent: Monday, December 13, 2010 3:22 PM
To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] norcold frig question
Now that I think about it, its a 2 way. Either LP, now I understand however
the electric side is 120v.
Is it safe to drive with the LP for the frig on?
--
1973 23' Sequoia-
Michael, Casa Grande, AZ
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Regards,
Rob M. (USAussie)
The Pedantic Mechanic
Sydney, Australia
'75 Avion - AUS - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
'75 Avion - USA - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
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| Re: [GMCnet] norcold frig question [message #108413 is a reply to message #108399] |
Mon, 13 December 2010 06:04 |
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USAussie
Messages: 15912
Registered: July 2007
Location: Sydney, Australia
Karma: 6
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Michael,
For the past three years I have turned on the valve on the LPG tank when I
got Double Trouble out of storage and turned it off when I put it into
storage. The Dometic fridge was turned on shortly thereafter and not turned
off until I needed to clean it up before putting Double Trouble into
storage. It was set to "Automatic" and would switch back and forth between
LPG and 120 VAC automatically. LPG - as we drove down the road - 120 VAC
when plugged into shore power or running on the Onan.
Regards,
Rob M.
USAussie - Downunder
-----Original Message-----
From: gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org
[mailto:gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org] On Behalf Of Michael
Sent: Monday, December 13, 2010 3:22 PM
To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] norcold frig question
Now that I think about it, its a 2 way. Either LP, now I understand however
the electric side is 120v.
Is it safe to drive with the LP for the frig on?
--
1973 23' Sequoia-
Michael, Casa Grande, AZ
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
List Information and Subscription Options:
http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
List Information and Subscription Options:
http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
Regards,
Rob M. (USAussie)
The Pedantic Mechanic
Sydney, Australia
'75 Avion - AUS - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
'75 Avion - USA - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
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| Re: norcold frig question [message #108418 is a reply to message #108387] |
Mon, 13 December 2010 07:09 |
JohnL455
Messages: 4447
Registered: October 2006
Location: Woodstock, IL
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If you precool the refer and contents in AC or PROP mode, the the 12V will keep things fairly well maintained for the day's driving time. However, the whine from the alternator will tell you how many amps you are drawing at 12V and resultant slight loss in gas mileage. This would still be less than running the Onan if it were run only for the purpose of running the frig on 120v. It goes a Looong time on PROP mode.
John Lebetski
Woodstock, IL
77 Eleganza II
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| Re: norcold frig question [message #108428 is a reply to message #108405] |
Mon, 13 December 2010 09:09 |
idrob
Messages: 645
Registered: January 2005
Location: Central Idaho
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| Ken Burton wrote on Sun, 12 December 2010 21:45 |
I do not know why not. I turn mine on before I leave home an shut it off weeks later when I return. I do shut it off when I am refilling with gasoline at the gas station. I start it again after I get a block or two down the road.
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Ken, a story on that:
I had a SOB Motorhome, 1983, the first with the AES (automatic energy selector) system Domidic (spelling) refrigerator. It would sequence this way: First it would look for 120 volts, if available it would use that, second it would look for the ignition switch to be on and if so, would use 12 volts (at 20 amps) and third, if neither 120 or 12 volts was available, and the ignition switch had been off for 20 minutes, it would switch to propane.
The 20 minute delay was for fill up at a gas station. It would not go to propane unless one had shut down for 20 minutes, assuming you were filling the gas tank each time you shut down. This was a major PITA as every time you stopped the engine the delay activated. Stop to sightsee, 20 minute delay, stop to get an ice cream cone, 20 minute delay and so on. Yes, the 12 volt would come on, but by the time it finally got activated (due to the lower heat capacity of the electric 12 volt heater) you probably had stopped again.
Bottom line on that puppy, it would never stay cold during the day at all.
Fix: disconnect the ignition power from the refrig to disable the stupid but well meaning delay and run on propane all the time while on the road. I guess I could have put a momentary contact switch on the 12 volt ignition wire and have pressed that only when getting gas to activate the delay, but I never did. Considering the millions of RV's on the road, all stopping for gas and most with their refrigerators on propane all the time they travel, I find the risk factor must be pretty minimal. There just are not many exploding RV stories at the gas pump.. if any.
Rob Allen
former owner of '76 x-PB
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| Re: norcold frig question [message #108441 is a reply to message #108428] |
Mon, 13 December 2010 10:32 |
Ken Burton
Messages: 10030
Registered: January 2004
Location: Hebron, Indiana
Karma: 10
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Senior Member |
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I agree with you but my point is the refrigerator is right by the door so it is easy to press the off button on the way out. Also I only fill up once or twice a day so why not do it. Also with all of the vapor recovery going on at gas stations these days there should not be much vapor floating around at filling stations. Our gas fill is not designed for vapor recovery so some vapor might be escaping there.
I'll continue to do it just because it is easy to do on mine even though the chance of fire is fairly remote. My refrigerator is 120 and propane only with no 12 volt cooling option.
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
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| Re: norcold frig question [message #108443 is a reply to message #108418] |
Mon, 13 December 2010 10:53 |
roy1
Messages: 2126
Registered: July 2004
Location: Minden nevada
Karma: 6
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Senior Member |
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Boy John you must have real good hearing if you can hear the alternator load up under the floor. It reminds me of my friend that can hear the tungsten in a light bulb. I'm very envious.
Roy
you precool the refer and contents in AC or PROP mode, the the 12V will keep things fairly well maintained for the day's driving time. However, the whine from the alternator will tell you how many amps you are drawing at 12V and resultant slight loss in gas mileage. This would still be less than running the Onan if it were run only for the purpose of running the frig on 120v. It goes a Looong time on PROP mode.[/quote]
Roy Keen
Minden,NV
76 X Glenbrook
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