Hi Everyone. Well, after 15 years the RV-Dreams Community Forum is coming to an end. Since it began in August 2005, we've had 58 Million page views, 124,000 posts, and we've spent about $15,000 to keep this valuable resource for RVers free and open. But since we are now off the road and have settled down for the next chapter of our lives, we are taking the Forum down effective June 30, 2021. It has been a tough decision, but it is now time.


We want to thank all of our members for their participation and input over the years, and we want to especially thank those that have acted as Moderators for us during our amazing journey living and traveling in our RV and growing the RV-Dreams Family. We will be forever proud to have been founders of this Forum and to have been supported by such a wonderful community. Thank you all!!

Members Login
Username 
 
Password 
    Remember Me  
RV-Dreams.com Home -> RV-Dreams Community Forum -> Boondocking, Solar Power, and Related Items -> Solar and House Batteries
Post Info TOPIC: Solar and House Batteries
Gary


RV-Dreams Family Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 238
Date:
Solar and House Batteries
Permalink  

A thought was rumbling through my head last night.

IF I had solar cells on the roof AND enough batteries, would it be feasible to run the refrigerator on electric during travel?  The reason I ask is that running with the gas on during travel may not be feasible in some areas (going through tunnels for instance). 

Further, and I know this doesn't happen often but when refueling, an open flame could ignite the fumes.  This thought process also leads me to believe that I could save in propane costs over the long run (albeit not enough to pay for the solar and battery combo).

I read somewhere, and I don't remember where, that RV refers do not run on battery power because of the drain on the batteries.  If I were running a 4 battery bank of AGM golf cart batteries, I would think that this would suffice to getting from point A to point B.

Just one of those random things that pop up while doing the research.  Any experience in this would help me out.

Thanks!

__________________

Dreaming and doing the homework necessary.

Looking at:
F-350/Ram 3500 type truck, possibly an Airstream or a smaller 5th Wheel.

However, there is still time to change the configuration, just a plan.
Luvglass


RV-Dreams Family Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 1438
Date:
Permalink  

Our Norcold works on either battery or propane and switches automatically. We never touch it and it's always on. When you are traveling, your truck should provide 12 volts to the rig.

__________________
Fred Wishnie

Full time since Feb 06 in Carriage Cameo 35KS3 and Ford F350


“If all you ever do is all you’ve ever done, then all you’ll ever get is all you ever got.”
The Bear II


RV-Dreams Family Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 1337
Date:
Permalink  

Gary,

Many RV'ers get their refrigerators and food cold a day or two before a trip. They travel with the refrigerator off and then turn it on when they get to their destination or stopover spot for the night.

The RV refrigerators will stay cold inside for about 8 hours in mild temperatures and 6 hours in heat as long as the door isn't opened.

Others travel with it on gas and stop to turn it off for tunnels (with restrictions) or when refueling.

We travel with ours on gas and most times will not turn it off during refueling because our refrigerator is on the opposite side of our tow vehicle fuel tank fill. Because of the size and height of our 5th wheel we can only use the larger gas stations with lots of clearance between the islands.

Our refrigerator only runs on shore power (110 volts) or propane with12V to run the electronics.  It will not run on just propane or just 12V both have to be available.

I've never been in an area where there are tunnel restrictions. But would stop and shutoff the gas.


So unless you plan on travelling for more than 6-8 hours at a time. Just get it cold and then turn it off while travelling. No need to worry about solar or batteries.


-- Edited by The Bear II on Friday 2nd of April 2010 03:48:44 PM

__________________

"Small House, Big Yard "

"May the FOREST be with you"
Alfa See-Ya 5'er and 2007 Kodiak C4500 Monroe
Luvglass


RV-Dreams Family Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 1438
Date:
Permalink  

The Bear is right. I reread the manual and it works off 110 or propane, not 12 volts. That said, we leave it on automatic and the food is cold all the time.

__________________
Fred Wishnie

Full time since Feb 06 in Carriage Cameo 35KS3 and Ford F350


“If all you ever do is all you’ve ever done, then all you’ll ever get is all you ever got.”
Hdrider


RV-Dreams Family Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 720
Date:
Permalink  

We leave ours on auto and leave it alone. When we travel it's on propane and I do not turn it off during refueling.
 I figure that flame is at least 30ft away and behind a panel if I fuel on the drivers side and much further than that if I fuel on the passenger side. 

__________________

Dave & Diane 

"40' New Horizon Majestic 5th wheel  

"2018 Ram 5500 w/Classy Chassis Hauler Bed

2014 Tiffin Phaeton 42LH "for sale" SOLD 

http://daveanddiane.wordpress.com/2012/07/

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWqRmO1rO4cu3rFANF1iG6Q
Terry and Jo


RV-Dreams Family Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 5398
Date:
Permalink  

In regards to refueling and wondering whether your propane flame on the refrigerator could ignite the fumes, keep in mind that out in the open, fumes will dissapate quite a bit before reaching the refrigerator flame.  Also, any diesel fumes aren't as volatile as gasoline fumes, thus it is unlikely that diesel fumes would be a cause of concern.

Terry

__________________

Terry and Jo

2010 Mobile Suites 38TKSB3
2008 Ford F450
2019 Ford Expedition Max as Tag-along or Scout

Our photos on Smugmug
Gary


RV-Dreams Family Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 238
Date:
Permalink  

Thanks all. That actually answers a lot of questions regarding the refer while on the move.

Great info and many thanks!

__________________

Dreaming and doing the homework necessary.

Looking at:
F-350/Ram 3500 type truck, possibly an Airstream or a smaller 5th Wheel.

However, there is still time to change the configuration, just a plan.
rjenkins


RV-Dreams Family Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 194
Date:
Permalink  

OK I have been reading the forum for well over a year now and have learned so many things from all of you but this one got me stumped and is probably a dumb question. Whats with the tunnel and leaving the gas on, it builds up fumes if enough vehicles are going through or it can't dissipate????

__________________
Gary


RV-Dreams Family Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 238
Date:
Permalink  

As far as I know, in the tunnels around the Hampton Roads area, you must turn the gas off before entering the tunnels.

Okay, just checked the Virginia Department of Transportation site.  All must stop for inspection of the tanks.

-- Edited by Gary on Friday 2nd of April 2010 09:20:57 PM

__________________

Dreaming and doing the homework necessary.

Looking at:
F-350/Ram 3500 type truck, possibly an Airstream or a smaller 5th Wheel.

However, there is still time to change the configuration, just a plan.
bjoyce


RV-Dreams Family Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 3721
Date:
Permalink  

Our fridge is on our 2000 watt inverter and runs on electric unless we manually switch it to propane. A 12 cuft fridge will use about 30 to 35 amps of DC through the inverter while cycling on and should have a duty cycle where it runs about 1/3rd of the time. That means you need to have at least 10 amps of DC charging coming it to keep up. In the sun you can get this with 200 watts of solar, but solar doesn't work in tunnels.

__________________

Bill Joyce,
40' 2004 Dutch Star DP towing an AWD 2020 Ford Escape Hybrid
Journal at http://www.sacnoth.com
Full-timing since July 2003
Speedhitch


RV-Dreams Family Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 1043
Date:
Permalink  

Bill I am sure you will come out of that tunnel before long...I wish I had the money to have solar but I will just have to do with the generator and my battery charger.

__________________

 

Joe Sherri and Kris living in a Open Range Lite 308BHS. 2500 Dodge Ram Diesel  http://speedysgreatadventure.blogspot.com/
Gary


RV-Dreams Family Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 238
Date:
Permalink  

That's why I ask these questions! Being in the planning/research phase and the ability to ask folks who are already out there will enable me to make the right decisions when ordering the new rig.

Still a while away from actually buying one but the need to get the duxinaro before buying is very important, as you all well know.

Thanks for the insight on this! It really helps out a lot and I hope that others can use this insight in their planning!

__________________

Dreaming and doing the homework necessary.

Looking at:
F-350/Ram 3500 type truck, possibly an Airstream or a smaller 5th Wheel.

However, there is still time to change the configuration, just a plan.
sirwinston21


RV-Dreams Family Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 102
Date:
Permalink  

In Maryland on the I95 and I895 tunnels are posted no propane bottles or haz mats. They say nothing about being turned on or off just no propane. And I can tell you if the MTA police stop you, you won't get away with just a warning.

__________________

Jesse
traveling in
www.kram-a-lotinn.blogspot.com
Page 1 of 1  sorted by
Quick Reply

Please log in to post quick replies.
RV-Dreams.com Home -> RV-Dreams Community Forum -> Boondocking, Solar Power, and Related Items -> Solar and House Batteries
Tweet this page Post to Digg Post to Del.icio.us