TrailManor Owner's Forum - View Single Post - Refrigerator Reset and Powering With Inverter While Towing

FlyboyTR · 10-15-2020, 08:43 AM

We just completed another 6,300 mile trip with the TM (returned home yesterday). I wanted to update you on what I tried...

From my previous thread about my refrigerator woes, I did this. I removed the unit completely (not that difficult) and then flipped it upside down for two days. Then turned it right side up and reinstalled it. This is something I have read/heard about for decades. Somehow over time the liquid ammonia and the hydrogen gas get blended and things do not work well. For details on this, see the link below.

https://www.rvtravel.com/does-your-r...urp-that-baby/

Anyway... after reinstalling it and powering it up. It cooled down fairly quickly. Don't know how long this will last...but it is MUCH better than it was.

Powering the fridge with an inverter...
I have a 1,200/2,400 watt pure sine wave inverter mounted in the engine compartment of my Ram/Cummins truck. I use this to power my air compressor for refilling the tires after airing down for off-road exploration. Plus, it comes in handy for other things as well. I have a remote control switch inside the cab. So.....I decided to try running the fridge off the inverter while towing!

I have a truck-bed tool box with an outlet panel for the 110 system. From there I ran an extension cord (12/3) to the back bumper near the Bargman plug. I then ran a 12/3 extension cord from the front of the camper, under the frame, and into the 30 amp power cable storage area in the bumper. Also, I do not route my shore power plug through the factory opening. It is all inside the bumper and the cable just hangs over the side when I am plugged in. This is much easier for coiling and storage. Anyway...using my 15 to 30 amp adapter I connect the extension cord to the trailers power cable via the adapter.

On the road...
Before closing the camper, I switch OFF the breaker for the TM/WFCO converter. I doubt that is necessary...but I felt my OEM converter was starting to fail (I was right...time to order a new one!). Once I start the truck engine, I turn on the inverter and it powers the TM fridge just as it would if it were connected to shore power. The inverter is putting out around 340 watts to run the fridge on 110 vac. When I stop the truck (engine off) I turn off the inverter switch to prevent a power drain on the two engine batteries. This actually worked very well over our 27 day 6,300 mile trip.

The fridge maintained 30-38 degrees while towing or on shore power. We had 5 nights of boondocking on BLM/NFS land where I ran the fridge on LP. After powering the TM fridge in this manor while on this trip...I believe this will be my new standard. At least I am no longer running it on LP while towing!

Thanks!

10-15-2020, 08:43 AM	#1
FlyboyTR Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2019 Location: Mobile, AL Posts: 225	Refrigerator Reset and Powering With Inverter While Towing We just completed another 6,300 mile trip with the TM (returned home yesterday). I wanted to update you on what I tried... From my previous thread about my refrigerator woes, I did this. I removed the unit completely (not that difficult) and then flipped it upside down for two days. Then turned it right side up and reinstalled it. This is something I have read/heard about for decades. Somehow over time the liquid ammonia and the hydrogen gas get blended and things do not work well. For details on this, see the link below. https://www.rvtravel.com/does-your-r...urp-that-baby/ Anyway... after reinstalling it and powering it up. It cooled down fairly quickly. Don't know how long this will last...but it is MUCH better than it was. Powering the fridge with an inverter... I have a 1,200/2,400 watt pure sine wave inverter mounted in the engine compartment of my Ram/Cummins truck. I use this to power my air compressor for refilling the tires after airing down for off-road exploration. Plus, it comes in handy for other things as well. I have a remote control switch inside the cab. So.....I decided to try running the fridge off the inverter while towing! I have a truck-bed tool box with an outlet panel for the 110 system. From there I ran an extension cord (12/3) to the back bumper near the Bargman plug. I then ran a 12/3 extension cord from the front of the camper, under the frame, and into the 30 amp power cable storage area in the bumper. Also, I do not route my shore power plug through the factory opening. It is all inside the bumper and the cable just hangs over the side when I am plugged in. This is much easier for coiling and storage. Anyway...using my 15 to 30 amp adapter I connect the extension cord to the trailers power cable via the adapter. On the road... Before closing the camper, I switch OFF the breaker for the TM/WFCO converter. I doubt that is necessary...but I felt my OEM converter was starting to fail (I was right...time to order a new one!). Once I start the truck engine, I turn on the inverter and it powers the TM fridge just as it would if it were connected to shore power. The inverter is putting out around 340 watts to run the fridge on 110 vac. When I stop the truck (engine off) I turn off the inverter switch to prevent a power drain on the two engine batteries. This actually worked very well over our 27 day 6,300 mile trip. The fridge maintained 30-38 degrees while towing or on shore power. We had 5 nights of boondocking on BLM/NFS land where I ran the fridge on LP. After powering the TM fridge in this manor while on this trip...I believe this will be my new standard. At least I am no longer running it on LP while towing! Thanks! __________________ 2007 Trailmanor 2720 SL (new to us 04/19) SOLD. 2010 Trailmanor 3023 (new to us 08/2022...The "Rat Motel")