Switch off Fridge Before Fueling Station

[GeeSag]

An $8 switch and a $9 relay, and now I have a way to switch off the Fridge before reaching the fueling station.

A simple switch and a "Normally-Closed" relay and I can easily turn off the fridge before I pull up to the fuel pumps. And I can control when to turn it on after pulling away from the fuel area.

My Dometic Fridge does have the "D+" ignition off feature, but that only turns off the fridge when the key is turned off. So, if using that and pulling up to a fuel area with explosive fumes, waiting to turn off the fridge until the ignition is off seemed like a potential for Kaboom. Plus: If this method requires running the wire anyway, and the hassle of trying to find the D+ wire in the trucks massive set of wiring, seemed easier to just run a new wire.

The switch does have a bright LED, so there is no forgetting turn the Fridge back on.

Of course having never actually heard of a RV fridge ever causing an explosion at a gas pump, I suspect it is extremely rare.
Am I chasing a problem that does not exist: Absolutely!

[RivetED]

Originally Posted by GeeSag

...Am I chasing a problem that does not exist: Absolutely!

Possibly, or at least theoretically, but why not?! That's half of the fun of Airstream ownership.

That's a great solution no matter.

[skyguyscott]

Brilliant!

[SSquared]

Nice!
How did you run the wire from the switch to the fridge compartment?

[ROBERT CROSS]

How do you test the efficacy of fixing a problem that doesn't exist? BOOM

Bob
🇺🇸

[BayouBiker]

A very rare event would be required to get a flammable combination of gasoline vapors and air into the refrigerator burner box. Even if you pulled the trailer into a 10' wide 1/4" deep puddle of gasoline and there was no wind at all, you'd have to leave it sitting in it for 10 min. or more. Now if an adjacent hose sprung a leak and sprayed gasoline directly into the refrigerator air vent at an angle from below, and the burner happen to be lit, perhaps then it might ignite.... As others have suggested, this is a non event.

[Mollysdad]

We still have gas stations that caution you to turn off your cell phone before fueling. Even though there's never been an gasoline explosion caused by a cell phone in the history of the world. I watched an employee come out of a store and scream at the customer, threatening to shut the pumps off if he didn't end his call.
Now, that guy smoking while gassing up? I do cringe at that.
Many an old mechanic would have a cigarette hanging from his mouth as he worked on the carburetor adjustments with the engine running.

[SeaLevel]

Originally Posted by GeeSag

An $8 switch and a $9 relay, and now I have a way to switch off the Fridge before reaching the fueling station.

Your solution was much less expensive than mine, but I am getting additional benefits. I had the entire propane/ammonia part of the refrigerator removed and replaced with a 12V compressor solution. Now the refrigerator goes from off to COLD in about 3 hours, it stays consistently cold, it no longer gets frosted up (fans were added to the fins inside), and my propane lasts longer.

Having a 400ah lithium battery bank allows me to handle the amperage draw with no problem, and although that isn't why I upgraded the electrical system, that could also be considered part of the cost if you camp a lot without 30/50amp power.

[kittmaster]

You've created another possible failure point for a problem that does not exist on a critical system. You may want to upgrade your tin foil hat. While I love a good engineering problem, this one has me shaking my head. But hey....we all have our projects...I guess.

[GettinAway]

I guess I am a huge risk taker.
I pull a 25 AS with a half ton truck. (Unsafe!) (No more than a passenger car!)
I bought a late model AS. (Will fall apart!) (AS doesn’t care about quality!)
I have a receiver mount bike rack on the back of my AS. (Will destroy the trailer!) (Will cause sway!)
I leave the fridge on from the night before we leave until we get home. (I’ll probably blow up!)

It’s a good thing my wife doesn’t know about the risks I’m taking.
She’s been riding along for years in blissful ignorance.

[B. Cole]

I've seen this running RV refrigerators at gas stations on other forums.Complete with pics of fires.
That notwithstanding, the number 1 cause of RV fires is inside engine compartments.Ok, not really Airstream related.
But, the number 2 cause of RV fires is RV refrigerators.Granted, a portion of those are also electrical, like engine fires.
Would I tow any RV with propane ( Open flame) running in RV behind me? No thanks.Id rather not see a fireball in my rear views.There are many fittings for propane lines in a RV.
If one would start leaking, while towing, you have a ignition source running open flame.Any mechanic knows Murphy's Law is relentless.
Its also illegal to pull same rigs running propane , through tunnels in some jurisdictions.
Its recommended to turn off propane at tank before towing RVs.

[lsbrodsky]

Its recommended to turn off propane at tank before towing RVs


Where does this come from? I never seen this recommendation nor is there any data supporting it. You are probably at greater risk of a traffic accident, based on statistics. So don't drive anywhere!
Larry

[ROBERT CROSS]

Originally Posted by B. Cole

I've seen this running RV refrigerators at gas stations on other forums.Complete with pics of fires.
That notwithstanding, the number 1 cause of RV fires is inside engine compartments.Ok, not really Airstream related.
But, the number 2 cause of RV fires is RV refrigerators.Granted, a portion of those are also electrical, like engine fires.
Would I tow any RV with propane ( Open flame) running in RV behind me? No thanks.Id rather not see a fireball in my rear views.There are many fittings for propane lines in a RV.
If one would start leaking, while towing, you have a ignition source running open flame.Any mechanic knows Murphy's Law is relentless.
Its also illegal to pull same rigs running propane , through tunnels in some jurisdictions.
Its recommended to turn off propane at tank before towing RVs.

:chic ken:

Bob
🇺🇸

[Rltports]

Thank you for posting this solution. Not sure I will install it but I do appreciate someone being cautious. I don’t drive with the refrigerator running but I also disconnect the propane tanks on my truck camper when traveling.

[gypsydad]

chasing a "non" issue? 4th AS; not sure the issue?? AS fridge location is typically at least 10-15 feet back away from the gas tank on most tow vehicles, right? Not inside the island by a gas pump, at least on my rig. Many folks turn off their refers anyway while traveling...AS says it will keep food cold for 6-8 hours when turned off...we found that to be the case, but we do still travel using propane most of the time. Last week from Dallas, we did not propane on...3 hours everything still cold. Newer rigs have electric/12V only...maybe need a new rig if this is a problem?

[Sigs]

Originally Posted by ROBERT CROSS

How do you test the efficacy of fixing a problem that doesn't exist? BOOM

Bob
🇺🇸

Bob, i appreciate you Molly Irvins' Quote.

[waninae39]

with the propane off, there is no issue of fire

the fridge fire issue is only with propane and the AS nit being level
ac or dc power is fine

[GeeSag]

To answer several posts:

(1) Why chase a problem that does not exist?
Does anyone know: Is it illegal to have an open flame near the gas pumps?
What defines "near"?
Now I do not have to worry about either of those.

(2) Adding complexity to a critical system.
The beauty of Normally Closed: If all my wiring and switch were to fail, the Fridge still works just fine. The Relay would have to fail in the non-normal mode. The relay is a simple plug and play replaceable unit.


(3) The wiring was much easier than expected.
I ran conduit in the storage bins (see photo).
Only had the simple unscrew one bed plywood and the small access panel at the back of the closet to fish wire behind shower.
Exited through existing opening for other power wires. No new holes in exterior. That was the best part.



(4) Why chase a problem that does not exist (part 2):
Have you ever heard the expression:
"What is the best form of Insurance? Having Too Much to Lose!"

[RivetED]

Interesting, this thread ignited some pretty passionate responses.

[switz]

Amonia based cooling systems have been to known to fail. We switched both refrigerators to marine units with 12Vdc Dan Foss freon based compressors. Both trailers have both solar panels on the roof and a lithium battery.

We switched both trailers to the German Truma brand instant on water heaters that are propane only. We have, in theory, unlimited hot water. The limits are the grey water tank size and whether we are or on shore or on board water sources.

Works well for us. We travel with the water heaters off as it only takes about a minute for the unit to preheat the glass sized heating vessel.