Prepping Fridge Before a Trip

[MrTommy03]

Hello,
I am brand spanking new to rv'ing. I am taking our brand new travel trailer out this weekend. I would like to get the fridge going before we take off. My original thought was to turn it on (using the propane option) for several hours, while it sits in front of my house. I still need the battery running for it to work, correct? Any ballpark figure for how long I can do this before the battery dies? Instead of running the rig's battery, should I hook up to my house electricity?

Any insight here is much Appreciated.

TIA!

 

[HappyWanderer1]

It will take at least 24 hours for the fridge to cool down. Why burn the propane if you can plug in?

 

[SargeW]

You will most likely need to start the refer the day before to give it a chance to cool, especially if you are living in a warmer climate. Gas refers don't cool down as fast as a plug in refer as there is no compressor on board. Yes the refer will need electricity to function as the control boards require 12 volts to function.  It takes almost no energy to power the control board, so no worries about the battery going dead.

There is nothing wrong with plugging it in to house AC the night before though. Many trailers do not have on board converters to charge the battery while driving, so being plugged in before you hit the road is not a bad idea. 

 

[MrTommy03]

It will take at least 24 hours for the fridge to cool down. Why burn the propane if you can plug in?

Because it's just my regular house outlets.

 

[SargeW]

You just need an adapter to go from your 30 amp trailer plug to a 120 volt house outlet. Are you close enough to reach a house outlet from your TT?

 

[Larry N.]

Good words above. Hopefully your trailer will be sitting more or less level, too, while it's running.

 

[SpencerPJ]

Because it's just my regular house outlets.

Walmart sells the simple 30A plug to standard house outlet adapter.  Totally fine to run extension cord for the refrigerator, but don't turn on the AC if you have one, unless you are plugged into 30A.

Enjoy your first trip  )

 

[Ernie n Tara]

If you have to buy an extension cord, be sure to get one with 12 gage wires or heavier (lower #). The refrigerator doesn't require much current, but you may wish to operate the air conditioner (sometimes it works!) and a heavier, (and shorter) cord will help.

Ernie

 

[cerd]

If you have to buy an extension cord, be sure to get one with 12 gage wires or heavier (lower #). The refrigerator doesn't require much current, but you may wish to operate the air conditioner (sometimes it works!) and a heavier, (and shorter) cord will help.

Ernie

And keep the cord as short as possible if you run the A/C. A 12ga 100ft cable can still melt with extended use.

 

[SpencerPJ]

Although certainly possible, I HIGHLY encourage you to NOT run the AC off a extension cord with your house outlet.  Enjoy the convenience of the refrigerator cooling, possible lights if needed, and charging the battery.

 

[Patnsuzanne]

We keep several large bottles of water frozen in our chest freezer, then when we are getting ready for a trip, put them in the fridge to help it cool down faster. We also run power from the house out to the rig to save the propane. (The fridge only uses a tiny bit of gas, but why use it if you don?t have to?). I finally got around to running a real 30amp service out to the gate, but we got along fine for a couple of years with a good extension cord and dog bone adapter. 

 

[Stinkielee]

We keep several large bottles of water frozen in our chest freezer, then when we are getting ready for a trip, put them in the fridge to help it cool down faster. We also run power from the house out to the rig to save the propane. (The fridge only uses a tiny bit of gas, but why use it if you don?t have to?). I finally got around to running a real 30amp service out to the gate, but we got along fine for a couple of years with a good extension cord and dog bone adapter.

That's a GREAT idea!  I'm glad I stumbled upon this post! Thanks for sharing.