Propane powered refrigerators

Discussion in 'Off Grid Living' started by NotSoSneaky, Apr 7, 2015.


  1. NotSoSneaky

    NotSoSneaky former supporter

    We used to have a small one in a cabin we had years ago. Retirement beckons and the simple life is calling. I'd rather not go solar and have to deal with building up a battery bank, panels, inverter, ect...

    Thinking more like propane refrigerator, kitchen stove and gas lights for the house.

    But this is about refrigerators;
    Who actually uses them ?
    What do you like about yours ?
    What do you not like about yours ?
    How much gas might one use (roughly 18 cu.ft.)
     
    stg58 likes this.
  2. stg58

    stg58 Monkey+++ Founding Member


    Great question I have wondered the same things.
     
  3. kellory

    kellory An unemployed Jester, is nobody's fool. Banned

    I just removed one from my hunting cabin/trailer. Did not run.
     
  4. NotSoSneaky

    NotSoSneaky former supporter

    Why did it fail / how long did it last ?
     
  5. tacmotusn

    tacmotusn RIP 1/13/21

    18 cu ft is ambitious. I only just recently saw an ad for one that size. Most rv refrigerators are much smaller. Oh btw rv refrigerators run on 120vac or propane gas, and use 12vdc for gas igniter. They also often have an auto transfer switch with ac as primary mode and gas as backup. My propane/120vac rv frig crapped out right after I got this rv, and I replaced it with a straight 120vac one so I cannot address your propane usage question..
     
    Tully Mars likes this.
  6. kellory

    kellory An unemployed Jester, is nobody's fool. Banned

    Mine was dead upon arrival (small qube). I ripped it out, capped the gas line, and installed a slightly larger dorm sized 120vt fridge.
     
  7. oldawg

    oldawg Monkey+++

    There are still absorption units available. They cool the same as rv types on propane but without the 12volt igniters. most use basically a large pilot flame to do the job. Seems I've read somewhere about a solar absorption unit also. RV reefers are a bad choice in my own experience as the electronics are always taking a dump.
     
  8. Cruisin Sloth

    Cruisin Sloth Special & Slow

    Small 10cf unit uses 20-30# per month , needs the burner area cleaned every year plus , Were going to solar due to propane is great to cook with 30# every 6 to 8 months , but the fridge eats it.
     
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  9. BTPost

    BTPost Stumpy Old Fart,Deadman Walking, Snow Monkey Moderator

    The technology involved is Hydrogen over Ammonia in a Sealed Unit. They are Heat Powered, and the Heat Source can be "Anything" including Propane Flame, 120Vac Heater Coil, 12Vdc Heater Coil, or just about any other Heat Source including a small Camp Fire. I have one in my Beach Cabin that is called a "Three Way" Propane/120Vac/12Vdc built by Domestic. Has a nice freezer unit in the Top. It uses 120Vac first if available, then 12Vdc if that is available, then Propane, last... They are not the most efficient Refer units in the world, but they are easy to operate.
     
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  10. Tully Mars

    Tully Mars Metal weldin' monkey

    I have a similar one in the work RV by the same brand. Has worked well since it was new in '96
     
    NotSoSneaky likes this.
  11. Mindgrinder

    Mindgrinder Karma Pirate Ninja|RIP 12-25-2017

    My 32' "home office" apparently rips through 60lbs in a cold weekend for propane heat/stove/fridge/water heater. I'm quite concerned actually...it's all controlled by remote control..
    (like a tv remote) and I haven't figured out if I can even control it manually...:(
    I'll be testing this winter for sure and throwing in some electric space heaters if that is the case for propane usage.
    Haven't ran the fridge on propane yet myself...spose I should just to make sure it works....
     
  12. Cruisin Sloth

    Cruisin Sloth Special & Slow

    Buy a propane detector , 12V & battery types . Use soap (dishwashing sunlight & water in heavy soap /water) leak check every fitting . see if rest pressure remains if all units are off . Just some basic stuff & then figure it OUT , you need to get a handle on this . I have propane in house , cabin , camper/MH & sailboat
     
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  13. ghrit

    ghrit Bad company Administrator Founding Member

    MG, that does sound excessive. In crude terms, that's about 5 gallons a day which is only slightly less than I use for the whole 1400 sq ft house. As Sloth suggests, it's leak chasing time.
     
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  14. vonslob

    vonslob Monkey++

    It seems to me that using that much propane in a weekend would suggest a leak, that is a lot of gas.
     
    Mindgrinder likes this.
  15. tacmotusn

    tacmotusn RIP 1/13/21

    I have been using DuraFlame Quartz Infared space heaters in 27 and 38 foot rv for several years. They get the job done for much less than propane (cost to maintain same heat level 1/4 to 1/3 the cost of propane). Of course this is 120vac .... some examples and consumer reports. ... quartz infrared heaters consumer reports - Bing
    Duraflame 10HM4126-0107 information from Consumer Reports Read the reviews. I have nothing but praise for the DuraFlame units
     
    Last edited: Apr 8, 2015
  16. madmax

    madmax Far right. Bipolar. Veteran. Don't push me.

    Got one in the RV. Makes a HUGE difference when off the grid for months. Works fine. Got years on it.
     
    Tully Mars likes this.
  17. tacmotusn

    tacmotusn RIP 1/13/21

    MM, his main question was size of frig and propane usage, if you could provide that info.
     
    NotSoSneaky likes this.
  18. BTPost

    BTPost Stumpy Old Fart,Deadman Walking, Snow Monkey Moderator

    VisuTrac, NotSoSneaky and ditch witch like this.
  19. madmax

    madmax Far right. Bipolar. Veteran. Don't push me.

    I'll have to go out and check tonight or tomorrow. The RV was built in western Canada. The fridge is small.
     
  20. NotSoSneaky

    NotSoSneaky former supporter

    @BTPost , Thanks that's already on the short list. [coo]
     
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