Can you run the frig on propane without 12v or 110?

**B_and_D** · 08-26-2004, 10:04 PM

I have always wondered about this - if your battery dies or is disconnected (and you are without 110v), will your refrigerator still run on propane, or will it shut off? I know that the thermostat uses some electricity, but does the gas automatically shut off when the battery is disconnected or dead?

**kdrickard** · 08-26-2004, 10:23 PM

I could be very wrong on this, but I think the device that says the pilot is on is a "thermocouple". As I understand it, a thermocouple actually produces voltage when heated, so if there is a pilot/flame, the thermocouple sends voltage that says it's ok to keep sending the gas. Since my water heater out in my garage works on much the same principle without power, I'd have to guess the refrigerator in the TM would also. I'll be the first one to admit I am basing this on theory and without a full understanding of the details.

I'm curious now as well.

Kevin

**mjlaupp** · 08-27-2004, 08:31 AM

The answer is NO. 12vdc is needed for the control circuits. It is also used for the DSI (Direct Spark Ignitor) in the newer models.
MJL

**mjlaupp** · 08-28-2004, 09:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mjlaupp

The answer is NO. 12vdc is needed for the control circuits. It is also used for the DSI (Direct Spark Ignitor) in the newer models.
MJL

Boy did I miss it on this one.

I checked the schematics for my NorCold after the fact and found out that the 12vdc, 110vac and gas mode operations are completely independent of each other. The answer is YES!

MJL