Fridge

[izzyashdown]

I just bought a '76 overlander that I am prepping for a retoration/ mod and was curious abut the refridgerator. I know they run off propane and electrical but it that ac, dc or both? I assumed you could run it off of any of the three. Is this correct?

[Wazbro]

Most are 2-way, propane and 120V AC often needing 12V DC for the controls.

Some are 3-way, propane, 120V AC and 12V DC, but the 12V DC can only maintain the temp if the door is not opened.

In the Interstates they have 2-way 120V AC and 12V DC and in those the 12V actually can cool the fridge.

[ventport]

My guess is that a 1976 is LP and 110 volt AC only. Which is good for boondocking as it does not use any of your 12 volt battery for the fridge controls like the new ones do.

[izzyashdown]

help me understand how the dc powers the controls. does it power the thermostat?

[TouringDan]

It depends. What model fridge do you have?

My 66 TW original fridge did not require 12v to operate. I did replace it with an RM2500, about an 84 model, that did reqire 12v to provide the spark and power the controls. I just replaced it with a new RM 2510 that is almost identical to my old RM2500 model.

You are asking a good question. I just may measure the 12v dc current flow tomorrow as I would also like to know. I suspect very little current flow when it is running on propane.

Dan

[TouringDan]

I have completed my test that I referred to above. I disconnected the 12v power from the RM2510 fridge while it was operating on propane. For the last 6 hours there has been no 12v power to the fridge and the temperature has stayed at 38 degrees. The outside temperature has varied from 92 to 84 degrees. I believe that 12v power is required only to light the pilot light when it is connected to propane.

Dan