Date: Mon, 2 Apr 2007 08:31:19 -0400
Reply-To: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Westy Fridge - Aux Battery vs Propane
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed
This safety argument has been going on in the RV world since absorption
refrigerators started being used. Yes, there is a risk to having a flame and
using propane either while traveling or being parked but there is also a
risk to running the engine. Gasoline under pressure, sparking ignition
systems, hot exhaust parts, etc. You have to wiegh the risks versus benefit.
Most RV's don't even provide a 12 volt option for the fridge. The larger
ones just need too much power. Their are safeties. If the flame goes out,
the gas turns off. The later units use a "re-igniter" to provide instant re
strike. Just having the propane present is a hazard. The risk is probably
reduced while driving as any leakage will be dissipated.
As for the leveling requirement, that has nothing to do with propane
operation. When parked, the fridge needs to be fairly level regardless of
power source. This is due to the refrigeration system relying on gravity as
part of the process.
Although it is difficult to measure, 12 volt operation is not free. You do
need to burn more gasoline to produce that power. Yes, the torque required
to turn the alternator is related to the current being produced. As the load
gets near the maximum capacity of the alternator, the electrical efficiency
gets down near 50%. Add that to the 22% efficiency of the engine and the
propane quickly becomes a cheaper option.
I am not saying the safety issue should be ignored. Propane is hazardous doe
to its extremely wide range of flammability and the fact that the liquid is
stored under pressure. This is why it is regulated as it is. The main thing
is to make sure that the propane system is sound and the safeties of the
appliances are working.
Dennis
>From: Troy Delnicki <colorworks@GCI.NET>
>Reply-To: Troy Delnicki <colorworks@GCI.NET>
>To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>Subject: Re: Westy Fridge - Aux Battery vs Propane
>Date: Mon, 2 Apr 2007 00:43:35 -0400
>
>Just my two cents worth, but I think it's dangerous to be running your
>fridge on propane while in route. While you may be able to go 99 out of a
>100 times without a problem, if you were to get in an accident, you risk
>your life. Consider as well that the van is supposed to be level when
>using propane. Are you driving through Iowa? If not, then that's one more
>reason not to be using propane. It's pretty common for the flame to go as
>as well.
>
>12 Volt operation works just as well as AC or propane. I have links where
>one person did the testing. Second, it's free and safe, so why use propane
>while the van is moving? It's also a lot easier to light the fridge on
>propane when it's been running for a while either on AC or 12 V, and
>that's an added plus.
>
>The only drawback I see is when you stop the van, for gas or picture
>taking/whatever that can disrupt the cooling cycle and lessen the
>efficiency. When I put in my auxiliary battery, I wired the fridge up so
>that it would not shut off to prevent this.
>
>About the only drawback, is it's easy to forget the fridge is on 12 V, so
>some kind of a visual reminder is a good idea.
>
>
>Troy
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