How much gas does fridge use

Irish Mist · 10-30-2016, 05:45 AM

Hi .. Again
Seems my fridge although not operating well with electricity , is working like a champ with porpane . I'm not looking for an exact technical answer just a rough "not much "or "lots" answer..and I get that it depends on a lot of things but just trying to get a general idea if they are gas hogs or not.. I will get the electrical part repaired but may wait until we are south of the border.. Although our exchange is not good it seems prices for RV parts are much better in the U S of A.
Thanks
Mark

xcntrk · 10-30-2016, 05:57 AM

This is normal operation. I read a thread over on RV.net that described how the fridge worked and how the system had to heat an element involved in circulating the refrigerant used to cool the unit. On 110v electric the heating element was less efficient than on propane. This is why the fridge does a better job keeping cool while on LPG. I've even tested this one week mid-summer at the beach. 90-100 degree ambient temps, fridge on max AC setting, had a hard time keeping the interior cool especially the lower drawers. Flipped to LPG and ran for 12 hours and the unit cooled right down to target temp. Downside of that is LPG is more expensive than shore-power of course.

**JRTJH** · 10-30-2016, 07:33 AM

The flame required to operate the refrigerator is only a little larger than a conventional rangetop "pilot light". The refrigerator is not "constantly on" so there is some "conservation" of propane when it's not lit.

I'd say that you can very easily get a month or more from a 30 pound propane tank if you're using propane exclusively to run the refrigerator. In other words, the refrigerator probably is the "stingiest" user of propane that's installed on your RV. As a comparison, the amount of propane (in BTU's) needed to operate the water heater for 10 minutes will run the refrigerator for at least a full day.

Some "history": Prior to the "current, electronic spark ignition" refrigerators, all Dometic, Instamatic and Norcold refrigerators used a "dual flame burner". The propane burner had two "flame sizes". The pilot was "always on" and when the refrigerator called for cooling, the propane valve opened further, simply increasing the size of the flame to about double the pilot light size. Those refrigerators used much more propane than today's DSI technology. Additionally, today's refrigerators are much better insulated and require less energy to operate, giving them an extremely long operation time on a tank of propane.

Irish Mist · 10-30-2016, 07:53 AM

Thanks John
That was what I was looking for and pretty much what I suspected ..
Getting closer to being all tuned up.. I have to say much easier working in the fifth wheel then the boat

**chuckster57** · 10-30-2016, 09:21 AM

The other tech in my shop actually did a test a few years ago. Found refer still running after 30 days on a 20# ( 7 gal.) cylinder. It was a standard 6 Cu. Ft. model if that makes a difference.

Irish Mist · 10-30-2016, 10:15 AM

Thanks Chuckster good info

Desert185 · 10-30-2016, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chuckster57

The other tech in my shop actually did a test a few years ago. Found refer still running after 30 days on a 20# ( 7 gal.) cylinder. It was a standard 6 Cu. Ft. model if that makes a difference.

I thought a 20# propane tank was 5 gal, as propane weighs 4.2#/gal. Normally a full fill on an empty tank only nets ~4.3 gal.

**JRTJH** · 10-30-2016, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Desert185

I thought a 20# propane tank was 5 gal, as propane weighs 4.2#/gal. Normally a full fill on an empty tank only nets ~4.3 gal.

I saw that also, but figured it was just a "before the first cup of coffee" moment.....

**chuckster57** · 10-30-2016, 01:47 PM

It was after an emergency repair on the boss' car. Good catch, now for my second cup LOL

roadglide · 10-30-2016, 06:08 PM

Not much propane is needed to keep the frig running. I have experienced my stove and water heater will not light but the frig is still working .

Irish Mist · 10-30-2016, 07:46 PM

Thanks everyone
After burning through a tank in 5 days of furnace use It seems like the fridge usage in quite minimal in comparison . It is really nice to have this forum to turn to for guidance . Thanks to those that keep things running smooth here.
Mark

Desert185 · 10-30-2016, 09:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chuckster57

It was after an emergency repair on the boss' car. Good catch, now for my second cup LOL

I've never done that...

rjsurfer · 10-31-2016, 12:09 AM

NYC used to supply natural gas to homes after WW2 and most people had gas refrigerators. They were super efficient, when Con Edison started dropping gas connections people were upset when they started to pay for electricity to run the new fridges.

Ron W

**chuckster57** · 10-31-2016, 04:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Desert185

I've never done that...

The repair or the second cup? LOL

When the boss comes home LATE with a carful of grandkids and wakes you up saying the check engine light is on, it's a bonafide emergency in the morning LOL.

PT RV`er · 11-09-2016, 05:01 PM

I never run my fridge with a/c power. It`s always propane. Well let me back up. Before we head out on a trip, I power up the fridge with a/c power the night before then the next day switch over to propane.

notanlines · 11-10-2016, 08:04 AM

In doing a little research I found this article, compliments of iRV2.com:

"There's approximately 91,500 btu's in a gallon of propane. I have a 12 cu/ft Norcold refrigerator that burns 2400 btu/hr. So one gallon of propane will last about 38 hrs. However that's if the refrigerator runs constantly. Again, assuming it runs for 8 hours out of a 24 hr. period a gallon of propane should last about 5 days. Naturally it all depends on how hot the outside temperature is, how full the refrigerator is, the temperature setting and how often you open the door. If you have a 30 gallon propane tank it should last about 150 days. "

Followed by a couple of answers down the column with this:

"Mathematically correct, but tanks are usually measured in pounds, like the typical 20lb tank on a gas grill, or like the 20 or 30lb tank(s) on RVs. Propane weighs about 4lbs per gallon, so a typical 20lb tank would have 5 gallons of propane. I'm betting you meant a 30 POUND tank (typical on an rv), not a 30 GALLON tank. So in your math you would have about 38 days on one 30lb tank. Which is about what mine burns, 1lb/day. "

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