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purman · 09-04-2008, 07:48 PM

why turn the fridge off before fueling???? The flame is inside the fridge, inside the trailer.... How is that going to set some fumes on fire... If you watched the myth buster show on the cell phone. not even a spark in an enclose room would set of the gas fumes....

But if it makes you feel better do it.... Personal I don't worry about it.

I guess if a 1 in a trillion chance it blows then I guess it my time.....

warbler5 · 09-04-2008, 08:53 PM

In California, we have vapor recovery systems, and you can't even smell the gas fumes anymore. However, I just returned from a trip out of state, and I can see why people might be worried. I usually try to fill the fuel tank without the trailer, where possible, anyway.....just to avoid mishaps. Has anyone even heard of an RV of any type doing a meltdown in a gas station? I have seen 3 burn along the side of the road (all MoHo's).

richinny · 09-04-2008, 09:35 PM

i've seen some gas station videos of bad fires (after accidents). while fumes are hard to ignite, a burst hose shoots a lot of gas fast and far. been there, done that.

mustang · 09-04-2008, 09:50 PM

all to often I see fuel spills at stations. Remember folks, The vapor ignites Not the liquid. Your flame has a flu and it will draw in the vapor in the event of a spill. This was even disscussed at a Ralley I was at. Cumbustion ar ignition happens when Fuel vapor saturates the air volume. This is simple chemistry.

ROBERTSUNRUS · 09-04-2008, 11:23 PM

Hi, as stated before, I put, already cold, items in my refrigerator and run it on 120 volts until I start to move then it switches to propane until I get to my destination with hook ups and it goes back to 120 volt system.

The number one cause of gas station fires is women. This statement is also a repeat on a differrent thread.

airstream66 · 09-05-2008, 06:58 AM

Robert,

Thanks, I will try that.

Another reason I don't like to run with the LP on is, on the way back from Yellowstone last year the 'original' line from one of the tanks broke in the middle of Wyoming. Who knows how long it was broke before I noticed it. If the LP was on that could have been bad.
Updated them since then, of course.

warbler5 · 09-05-2008, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROBERTSUNRUS

The number one cause of gas station fires is women.

I would LOVE to see the scientific study that proves this!!!!

Silvertwinkie · 09-05-2008, 11:34 AM

All, I called Dometic and their tech support told me flat out, the units are designed to operate while in transit on LP or if you have it 12v.

In addition, with all the safety items now built into the fridges, the LPG tanks, etc, I'm so not concerned with running mine while in transit.

I mean in all seriousness, most cars/trucks have an electric fuel pump inside the gas tank and some gas caps don't provide an airtight seal as they should. Am I not going to drive? You stand a far better chance of getting into a car wreck than you do having an LP issue with your fridge or LP appliances in general in the manner as the concerns here are made.

Am I saying it's totally foolproof? Nope! But few things in life are, if any.

richinny · 09-05-2008, 11:51 AM

sometimes actions on their own are of no consequence. sometimes it is when multiple actions combine to create a problem. my feeling is that i like to minimize the actions if possible. i don't say to risk food poisoning but don't take the risk if you don't have to.

this was one very sad story of actions combining in a bad way with little or no chance of being predicted.

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f161...day-34440.html

LI Pets · 09-05-2008, 12:16 PM

For the most part when I get fuel, the trailer is beyond the pumps, the rig is like 50+ feet.

LI Pets · 09-05-2008, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2airishuman

hi jg...

the fridge in my unit is ON 24/7/365...

cheers
2air'

What is your gas usage in days weeks etc?

TerraYacht · 09-05-2008, 12:20 PM

So let's do the risk assessment (I'm a safety manager, so I'm compulsive about analyzing the issues): you have gasoline and a hot flame. No problem if the gas is liquid or if it far away from the flame. If you have gas vapor in the "right" concentration and enough heat then you can have a sudden flame-up (or explosion). I have a MoHo and the gas fill is right next to the fridge vent. However, as mentioned above, in CA we have vapor recovery nozzles. Gas fumes have a low threshold of odor--you'll smell a relatively small amount--so if I can't smell it I don't worry. The combination of vapor and heat doesn't happen. If your fuel point is far away from the heat source, then also no problem. Only worry is from a major spill and then evaporation, but a hot exhaust could set off something like that. If somebody spills a bunch of gas (not diesel) then I suggest moving away promptly. I only run the fridge before a trip out, but then its 24/7 until I empty it.

clancy_boy · 09-05-2008, 12:34 PM

I travel with my fridge on gas. Always wondered about this until I saw a car pull over off I-10 in MS and in the time it took me to approach at 70mph the catalytic converter had started a fire in the grass, I would say about 8-10 sec in time. So, have you ever looked under your vehicle at night with the engine running - the darn thing is red hot - not a flame but VERY hot. Don't pull into a pump with a big wet spot of gas on the driveway.

**azflycaster** · 09-05-2008, 12:44 PM

I don't run with the gas on because I don't have to. We cool the fridge before the trip, freeze the items that we can, keep the door closed and monitor the temperature with a remote sensor. Sometimes Ben and Jerry get a little soft, nothing new for them...

Also, you do not need to refrigerate spam.

clancy_boy · 09-05-2008, 01:00 PM

Do you have a part number on that remote sensor - azflycaster??? Please.....

**azflycaster** · 09-05-2008, 01:16 PM

We use a thermometer from CW that has a remote sensor.

2airishuman · 09-05-2008, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LI Pets

What is your gas usage in days weeks etc?

liquid petroleum (lp) gas right?

winter, using the furnace is 1 tank (9 gals) every few days when temps are 25-55 outside the 34 footer.

but the other 3 seasons a 40 lb cylinder of lp last weeks, and often 3-4 months for 2 tanks.

but that's not all with the fridge on lp.

when my unit is in the storage bay (4 a few weeks) it's plugged into 'lectric and the fridge is on.

except for defrosting (which takes 1 hour) about 2-3 times a year.

since lp gets used for the water heater and fake firepit too, i haven't isolated lp consumption JUST for the fridge...

but my impression is that is a very small amount while driving for the 10 cubic ft dometic,

as in, 0.5 gal-1gal/1000 miles in summer.

travel movement helps with air circulation on the coils and sloshing the ammonia evaporant is good too...

cheers
2air'

purman · 09-05-2008, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by azflycaster

I don't run with the gas on because I don't have to. We cool the fridge before the trip, freeze the items that we can, keep the door closed and monitor the temperature with a remote sensor. Sometimes Ben and Jerry get a little soft, nothing new for them...

Also, you do not need to refrigerate spam.

You must not drive for to long... I can run 9 hrs plus if I'm trying to get somewhere... rather have it on...

It's a personal choice, but it's safe to run with it on..........

Tin Diesel · 09-05-2008, 01:42 PM

Back on the first page of this thread, Airstream66 asked for advice on how to keep the fridge on while driving. I have the same problem. I improved the situation when I looked inside the refer panel (outside) and saw that the sheet-metal box that surrounded the gas inlet had flanges pulled open. I pushed them to where they were closed in better (its now a real box, albeit not airtight). It seems the air drafts were disrupting the gas jet (I guess).

Now, the refer will stay on when travelling unless we have a crosswind coming from that side of the trailer, then it will be out whenever I stop and check.

Any advice for the two of us?
Thanks.

**azflycaster** · 09-05-2008, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by purman

You must not drive for to long... I can run 9 hrs plus if I'm trying to get somewhere... rather have it on...

It's a personal choice, but it's safe to run with it on..........

The trip to Colorado was pretty long, about 10 hours on the road the first day. Only five the next day. We cooled the fridge over night between days. We froze a bunch of stuff for that trip. My fridge is also very small.

It is a personal choice, my way is a little safer........