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06-28-2017, 02:28 PM
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#1
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1 Rivet Member
2017 25' International
Port St Lucie
, Florida
Join Date: Jun 2017
Posts: 12
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Pre-cooling the refrigerator
We store our 2017 International 25FB in a storage yard several miles from home. I want to pre-cool the refrig using propane. My concern is operating the refrigerator on propane and then leaving the storage area. Good idea or bad idea?
Thanks in advance for the knowledge share!
Chuck
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06-28-2017, 02:38 PM
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#2
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Moderator
2017 26' Flying Cloud
Alamo Heights
, Texas
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 8,522
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Hmm... I don't really see the problem. When I'm boondocking I run the fridge on propane, and I'll leave the trailer unattended all day at times when we're off doing something else. I leave the fridge running then, of course.
One bit of advice, make sure the fridge lights successfully before you leave, since it'll only attempt to light a certain number of times and then just put an error message on the display and give up. If there's too much air in the line for it to get lit in those initial attempts you might not get the cooled-down fridge you expect when you return.
__________________
— David
Zero Gravitas — 2017 Flying Cloud 26U | WBCCI# 15566
He has all of the virtues I dislike and none of the vices I admire. — Sir Winston Churchill
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06-28-2017, 02:45 PM
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#3
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Rivet Master
2014 20' Flying Cloud
Sag Harbor
, New York
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 17,523
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Welcome to the forum Chuck! You might want to check with the management of the storage yard, as the propane burner could in theory ignite any gasoline vapors nearby (if someone was using a gas can to fuel a nearby vehicle for instance). I would imagine that your rental agreement prohibits open flames.
Also, your batteries will have to be able to power the fridge control circuit board well during this time. If the batteries have not been on a trickle charger, they may not be up to the task?
Just a couple of thoughts, and ditto to suggestion to turn the fridge on and make sure it is working correctly on propane.
Another option which we do all the time, is to put only cold food in the fridge, and put some large blocks of frozen blue ice in the fridge and freezer right away. This will ensure that even a very hot fridge can come down to correct temp in an hour or so, after which you can return the blue ice to the home freezer for storage. Bags of ice is another option if blue ice is not available.
Depending on location and timing, warm food items can be pre-chilled in a cooler in the tow vehicle before being transferred to the fridge. Not recommended to put warm items in the fridge ever if possible.
Happy Trails!
Peter
PS -- edit -- good additional suggestions by uncle bob in next post: Level trailer +/-; there may be spider etc. nests in burner tube, not just bird's nests above; etc..
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06-28-2017, 02:49 PM
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#4
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Half a Rivet Short
2017 30' Classic
2022 Interstate 24X
Carlisle
, Pennsylvania
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 15,735
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Hi
The main points have already been covered, so a couple of smaller ones:
Make sure your battery is in reasonable shape. The fridge runs off of propane, but needs 12V for the control circuits.
Be sure your trailer is reasonably level in the storage lot. I sometimes don't sweat that very much. At a certain (poorly documented) point of "not level" the fridge will get into trouble.
I assume the storage is outside. Check for birds nest(s) and other odd stuff on top of the fridge vent ....(yes, it does happen ...)
The final one: Make sure the propane valve is open on the full (rather than the almost empty) tank.... did I close it when it went into storage ... I forget ....
Bob (the forgetful...)
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06-28-2017, 03:53 PM
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#5
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Rivet Master
2016 25' Flying Cloud
Jupiter
, Florida
Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 1,140
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I've started doing that same thing recently when we are getting ready to leave for a weekend trip. I'll head over to the storage area in the morning, connect the batteries, open the propane valves, and turn on the refrigerator. Then later, after mail has been delivered and garbage has been collected, I will go back and pull the trailer over in front of the house, where I can plug it in. It really helps to get the refrigerator cooling down just those 5-6 hours earlier, and in that amount of time my batteries have been fine.
__________________
"A good traveler has no fixed plans, and is not intent on arriving." - Lao Tzu
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06-28-2017, 04:37 PM
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#6
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4 Rivet Member
2022 27' Globetrotter
Asheville
, North Carolina
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 396
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The RV is designed to run off batteries and you are doing it for a short time. No worries. Take the advice on the blue freezer blocks. Thermodynamics work in your favor.
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06-28-2017, 04:54 PM
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#7
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Moderator
2004 30' Classic Slideout
Fenton
, Missouri
Join Date: Mar 2002
Posts: 10,408
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This is a tough one. You definitely don't want to put cold food in a hot fridge, but I like some others don't feel comfortable lighting up a fridge in a storage facility where you don't know what's going on around you.
Is there any way you can get the trailer home at least 12 hours or so in advance where you can't fire up the fridge there? While we have subdivision restrictions regarding parking in our drive, I typically may bring the trailer home 24-48 hours before departure to allow the fridge to precool and to get loaded up.
While I am lucky to have a friend who rents me a spot in her big garage, I wouldn't even consider firing up the fridge without talking to her first.
Jack
__________________
Jack Canavera
STL Mo.
AIR #56 S/OS#15
'04 Classic 30' S.O.,'03 GMC Savana 2500
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06-28-2017, 04:57 PM
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#8
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Rivet Master
2014 20' Flying Cloud
Sag Harbor
, New York
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 17,523
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Large blocks of frozen blue ice, or bags of ice in the freezer AND the fridge, will cool things to 32 Fahrenheit in about one hour.
Simple -- and done.
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06-28-2017, 06:09 PM
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#9
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3 Rivet Member
2008 27' Safari FB SE
Long Beach
, California
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 238
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I'm in the same boat and used to worry about my fridge getting cold. Now, I have a system doesn't really rely too heavily on it at the beginning of a trip.
I have about 5 plastic blue ice blocks that I bring with me and keep food cold in a cooler that always travels with me. I turn on the fridge as soon as we arrive and within 30 min, the freezer is darn cold. I then migrate the food to the freezer where it keeps cold and I move the ice blocks to the fridge to help accelerate the cooling process.
By bedtime, the fridge is down to 40F or lower and food moves from freezer into fridge (although I have occasionally forgotten and woken up to frozen potato salad). The blocks go into the freezer for the rest of the trip and are ready to use in the cooler to keep any leftover food cold on the way home.
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06-28-2017, 06:57 PM
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#10
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Rivet Master
2017 26' Flying Cloud
Tampa
, Florida
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 7,653
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I'd go to a campground close to home the first night of a trip. I used that time to wash the RV, get the fridge going, put my clothes and stuff away, make sure everything worked, jump in the pool, relax and be ready for the next morning to hit the road for real. I carried a couple folding coolers with ice to hold the food long enough to transfer to a cold fridge.
Besides, there's a WalMart not too far after your fridge is cold, you don't have to pack for a week.
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06-29-2017, 08:58 AM
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#11
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Half a Rivet Short
2017 30' Classic
2022 Interstate 24X
Carlisle
, Pennsylvania
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 15,735
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Hi
As another alternative:
You can get coolers these days that will stay at ice temperature for around ten days. They aren't cheap, small, or light weight. They do let you toss a load of food and a small bag of ice into one, winch it up into the back of the truck, and head over to the trailer. You can fire up the fridge and let it cool while you are on the road. Transfer stuff to the fridge when you get a chance.
Bob
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06-29-2017, 09:32 AM
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#12
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Rivet Master
2014 20' Flying Cloud
Washington
, Missouri
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 2,591
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We follow the general tips from SeaLevel and Peter, (otra15)
We don't have SP at storage about 15 minutes away so I keep the batts at home on a trickle. I reinstall the eve of departure as well as pack most except refer items and other misc. The morning of departure I go to storage, fire the refer 1st thing then hookup etc. I feel for heat in the upper door opening as it's easier than looking for the flame in the lower. If getting hot, I load ice (blue/otherwise) as much as I can get in the freezer and the refer (as peter mentioned above) and hedd for home. In the the time it takes to get home, get things all squared away...trailer fully loaded and dogs calmed down, we swap the ice for food leaving a few blocks of the blue ice for later use.
I've found that the propane cools it down much faster the ele...to <40 in the refer and pretty close to 32 in the freezer within an hour. Pack cold food and hit the road.
Remember to allow for air flow in the refer which I believe helps to cool it down quicker There are battery operated refer circulation fans on the market but haven't seen the need
Bob
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07-02-2017, 07:17 AM
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#13
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1 Rivet Member
2017 25' International
Port St Lucie
, Florida
Join Date: Jun 2017
Posts: 12
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Pre cooling the refrigerator
Thanks everyone for the knowledge share. I like the blue ice idea and will give it a shot before we head out this coming Wednesday. Thanks again everyone!
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07-02-2017, 07:51 AM
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#14
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Rivet Master
2014 20' Flying Cloud
Sag Harbor
, New York
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 17,523
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Thanks for the update and have a great trip! If you have room in the freezer, you can leave some blue ice there during the trip, as it "smooths out" any hiccups in the cooling system. Sometimes you have to turn off your propane for tunnels or ferry boat rides, for instance. The blue ice can keep the freezer/fridge cool at these times. Just remember to turn it back on . . .
Happy Trails!
Peter
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07-02-2017, 09:48 AM
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#15
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Rivet Master
2008 22' Safari
Spicewood (W of Austin)
, Texas
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 2,980
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Tunnels are legit concerns because explosive sewer gas can settle in there as can propane from leaks (which also settles) so local regulations apply in such circumstances...
...However, while safety-consciousness is never to be ridiculed, the idea that a propane-powered RV refer is a hazard at outdoor storage yards and gas-stations strikes me as almost laughable. Open air places have more than adequate air circulation to prevent imagined ignition to gasoline vapors.... which settle downwards similar to propane. Unless you're pumping gasoline AT the refer-ventilation-door the likelihood of an explosion is highly imaginary.
My refer is plugged into 120V full time during storage, and runs full time during travel on propane, and the many ferry boats in coastal Texas are all above-decks and open air and have no rules requiring propane to be turned off during ferry-trips. Enclosed ferries in some states are an entirely different matter, of course.
Again, I'm not suggesting carelessness...I have a high degree of safety-consciousness... but reality-checks should be given the subject, IMO.
Standing by with NomeX suit on....
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07-02-2017, 10:05 AM
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#16
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Rivet Master
2017 26' Flying Cloud
Tampa
, Florida
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 7,653
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I went with folding coolers to bring food because storing a hard sided cooler after it was empty seemed counterproductive. The better folding coolers fold flat, have Velcro to keep them flat and take up very little space or weight.
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07-02-2017, 11:43 AM
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#17
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3 Rivet Member
2006 16' International CCD
Steamboat Springs
, Colorado
Join Date: Mar 2017
Posts: 132
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mollysdad
I went with folding coolers to bring food because storing a hard sided cooler after it was empty seemed counterproductive. The better folding coolers fold flat, have Velcro to keep them flat and take up very little space or weight.
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I'm curious which brand of folding coolers you use. We have a Kelty that we use similarly: food and/or ice, and then fold up as we use the food and ice. An added benefit is that it doesn't take much space in the garage either when folded. This past trip I had two cheap stackable styrofoam coolers that I used to take ice. As the ice decreased, I was able to stack the two into the space for one.
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07-03-2017, 06:17 AM
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#18
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Half a Rivet Short
2017 30' Classic
2022 Interstate 24X
Carlisle
, Pennsylvania
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 15,735
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Hi
One advantage of a folding cooler that's always with you - it also works when you discover that the nearest location for getting frozen food is a 90 minute drive through the hot summer sun.....
Bob
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07-03-2017, 08:57 AM
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#19
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Rivet Master
1958 18' "Footer"
Idyllwild
, California
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 645
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I would be very cautious about using the propane at the storage yard, I am sure this would open you up for liability.
The idea of using Blue Ice sounds great but then why not simply freeze one gallon jugs of water and use them to help cool it down? They would then be around to use as drinking water later.
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07-04-2017, 08:58 AM
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#20
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Half a Rivet Short
2017 30' Classic
2022 Interstate 24X
Carlisle
, Pennsylvania
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 15,735
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Quote:
Originally Posted by prairieschooner
I would be very cautious about using the propane at the storage yard, I am sure this would open you up for liability.
The idea of using Blue Ice sounds great but then why not simply freeze one gallon jugs of water and use them to help cool it down? They would then be around to use as drinking water later.
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Hi
.... you do of course remove the LP tanks from the AS and empty them when in storage. That way you have no risk from the LP at all.
Bob
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