Fridge pre-chill??

SHS123 · 08-06-2022, 02:47 PM

I have a "new to me" 2018 Minnie Plus 26RBSS that is currently parked in an RV storage lot. I plan on taking it out for its maiden trip in a couple weeks, however I would like to chill down the fridge before we take off. If I turn on the gas and get the fridge cooling the day before we leave, do I have to leave the battery on for any reason? My previous Coleman pop up did NOT need to have anything else on other than the gas. TIA for any help!!

**Eagle5** · 08-06-2022, 05:07 PM

Hi SHS123,
Those fridges do require DC power to control the cycle. I believe you must leave the DC power switched to <ON>. Also, the fridges have a "running" light, so if you were to switch all DC power to <OFF>, it should be immediately apparent on the fridge's control panel.
Have fun on your trip!
Eagle5

Wayne M · 08-07-2022, 08:02 AM

Put a gallon bag, or more, of ice in the freezer and it will cool down to temp a lot faster. We did that with our previous Norcold and now with the residential.

As stated, leave the DC power on, or if it runs off of AC, plug it in if you can.

BobC · 08-07-2022, 09:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eagle5

Hi SHS123,
Those fridges do require DC power to control the cycle. I believe you must leave the DC power switched to <ON>. Also, the fridges have a "running" light, so if you were to switch all DC power to <OFF>, it should be immediately apparent on the fridge's control panel.
Have fun on your trip!
Eagle5

This is definitely the case, however the power use is minimal. Even if you have shore power available, the refrigerator will cool better on LPG than on 120V AC.

Also, make sure your food is pre-cooled in your home refrigerator.

SHS123 · 08-09-2022, 12:43 PM

Thank you for the replies! So, is the current draw low enough to where I could leave the battery on along with the gas to prechill the day before our departure? Not sure really what bad would happen (other than strain on the battery) if it in fact it was depleted.

**Eagle5** · 08-09-2022, 01:17 PM

In DC & Propane mode, the fridge draws ¼ amp. If you are using a 100 amp-hour rated battery, and only wish to drain that battery by 50%, your fridge can be run for:
50 ÷ ¼ = 200 hours, or eight days.
No worries.
Eagle5

Ray,IN · 08-10-2022, 01:45 PM

You will run out of battery power before you run out of 20/G propane. 12V battery draw is the same on either power source.

A properly maintained, running absorption refrigerator will cool the same on LP or electricity..The heat input of each power source is listed on the nameplate.

Side note:

Running on 120VAC, 1 KW = 3,446 btu
Running on propane 1G =91,502 btu
This means 26.5KW of electricity = 1G of propane.
This may now be calculated out to which is cheaper to use by using the price of electricity and price of 1G propane in your area.

Raxel7851 · 08-10-2022, 02:31 PM

We recently bought a small fridge fan for our 22M on Amazon. It’s a Titan Rv Fan and comes with 5 Lithium batteries with a charger. It’s been working pretty well especially on these hot days to help distribute the cool air. 3 speeds and on medium it will go several days. I like the rechargeable ones over the ones with the D batteries.

Tragus52 · 08-11-2022, 09:48 AM

I have a 2019 micro minnie plus, and my process the day before leaving on an adventure is: freeze 6 or 8 bottles to pre-cool the fridge. Turn on propane, set fridge to run on propane, and switch on battery. Also have a small fan mounted to fridge fins that runs on 12v. Works great, when we are ready to leave, so is the fridge.