How do I run fridg on electric?

**Bailey'sMom** · 07-10-2013, 06:48 PM

As I mentioned in my other post, I have trailer setup in driveway and plugged into electric.

So how do I turn refrigerator on electric? The power selector is set on electric and the dial is set on the coldest setting, but it is not cooling. Is there something else needed to turn it on?

ZekenSpider · 07-10-2013, 07:51 PM

No. You have done what is needed to make the Refrig run. This is another indication that you do not yet have AC (shore power) getting into your TM. As in your other post, your Main 30 Amp circuit breaker in the converter panel may be off or tripped. Perhaps there is also something wrong with your house connection (tripped GFIC, bad extension cord, bad plug adapter and etc).

Jerry

07-11-2013, 07:12 AM

Also keep in mind that it doesn't cool like a house fridge, with a compressor. It takes a lot of time to actually feel cool air. I live in a hot climate. It takes a full 24-48 hours to cool my fridge down enough to put stuff in it.

Brutus · 07-11-2013, 02:50 PM

Yup, once you get your electrical issues figured out, all you can do is switch to electric and "5", toss in an el cheapo thermometer, and wait overnight. I had my running a couple nights ago and with an empty fridge, not running the refrigerator fan, about 65*F for a low temp, I had 32* on the bottom of the fridge. Good enough for our purposes...

**Bailey'sMom** · 07-11-2013, 08:31 PM

Okay so based on what I am reading about only running frig on battery with the fan on while the camper is folded down, how do you pack for your trip?

I used to fold down my camper one or two nights before I left, with the refrig packed, with thermometer where I could read it just by opening the half door. The night before I left I would hook up everything but the lights, stay plugged into house power, and go to bed.

Then Saturday morning I would get up, stick the ice chest with the rest of my stuff in the car, grab the dog, unplug from house power, switch fridg over to battery (this was on outside of trailer), plug in lights and take off.

Now I am thinking that I will need to keep the TM popped up til right before I leave so I can switch from electric to battery for the 4 hour drive.

Also, since I don't want to blow out my dc converter like I accidentally did on my pop up, can you be plugged into house power and switch fridg over to battery? Or should I unplug from house power first, then switch?

Brutus · 07-11-2013, 09:02 PM

Lots of opinions on this topic. Some pack it the night before, set fridge to DC, close up with fridge fan running. Stay plugged in until right before they leave. TM converter will keep powering fridge on DC.

Quick test. Do the above, then unplug shore power. You'll notice a discernable drop in fan speed, meaning the converter is doing a decent job of keeping things cool. This method also keeps the cold in as you get ready to leave.

For a 4 hour drive, some will just pack the freezer with blue ice, leave fridge on electric, unplug at last minute and go. Then fridge (and fridge fan) is off but the cold from the blue ice drops down to the fridge.

Or you can get the fridge packed with non-perishables the night before, keep camper open, leave fridge on electric, pack milk and such the next day, close TM, unplug and set fridge to DC (turn on fridge fan) and go.

No wrong answers for a 4-hr trip IMHO. Throw a cooler in the mix and you have even more options. Just gotta try different ways and see what works for you.

**Bill** · 07-11-2013, 09:02 PM

For a four hour drive, there is really not much point in switching the refrig to battery. It is much easier to just pre-cool the refrig on shore power (AC) a day or so before you leave, load it with food, turn on the refrig fan, and close the TM whenever you like, leaving shore power plugged in. When you are ready to leave, just unplug shore power and go. This leaves the refrig without power during the trip, but over four hours, it retains its cold pretty well. When you get to your campsite and plug in, it will immediately begin to re-chill to make up for whatever it has lost during the trip.

Advantage: easy
Advantage: fold the TM down at a convenient time
Advantage: the refrig will not and cannot discharge your tow-vehicle battery

Bill