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Post by stlbluesfan on Jan 12, 2022 21:33:53 GMT -5
Soon to be, new connect owner . Our trailer has a 10.0 cubic ft 12 volt fridge. Just wondering if anyone has ever tried use plastic ice jugs to cool the fridge while boon docking?
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senior
Weekender RV’er
2022 KZ280TH
Posts: 80
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Post by senior on Jan 13, 2022 9:15:42 GMT -5
Does it not have a 12V / Propane option?? Many yrs ago we used blocks of solid ice in a ice box type fridge, it worked but not very efficiently.
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Post by 660catman on Jan 13, 2022 9:44:42 GMT -5
I would think you’d need quite a few ice jugs to keep it cool. This takes up food space. And think about the recovery time to cool fridge off after you opened the door. If your fridge is only 12v / 110v then a small 1000w inverter / generator would be best for battery charging.
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kbrady
Seasonal RV’er
Posts: 171
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Post by kbrady on Jan 13, 2022 14:17:05 GMT -5
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Post by stlbluesfan on Jan 14, 2022 12:34:48 GMT -5
This fridge is 12 volt only so no propane option. when I said boondocking, I should have clarified it better. I would also use this when staying at a non electric campsites. A lot of the federal campsites in MO that we stayed at in the past are all non-electric. Not only that, but MO state parks now allow reservations 12 months in advance. So unless you want the electric site next to the dump station you have to book 364 days and 22 hours ahead of time. That's why I am asking about non-electric options. I know some of the invertor generators can be pretty quite, but I would rather not be that guy that has a generator running all weekend. In the past I've used plastic 1 or 2 liter soda bottles and or plastic half gallon orange juice jugs in my cooler. They seem to work well keeping food cold and you don't end up with wet food like you do with just a block ice. Since this space is so much larger than a cooler I wasn't sure if it would work. thanks everyone for you incite, I appreciate it.
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diferg
Newbie RV’er
2019 KZ 270THLE / 2006 ST-1300
Posts: 32
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Post by diferg on Jan 14, 2022 13:27:51 GMT -5
solar panel?
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Post by 660catman on Jan 14, 2022 14:36:06 GMT -5
A solar panel would help however that is in full sun all day. Typical campgrounds don’t have that. I camped beside a guy this past summer and he had a 200 watt portable unit. He was always moving it to catch the sun. He said it doesn’t keep up sometimes and has a Honda generator as a backup. In the back of the truck you could barely hear it. I bought a pair of Firman 1700 watt inverter generators with a 50 amp parallel kit just in case we need AC. They’re quiet but not quite like a Honda. 1400 CDN bucks for the pair and the PK. I wanted the pair due to weight of a single 3300 Firman. I’m not getting any younger lol. And here too, if you’re not on the ball to reserve a campsite, your not getting an electrical one.
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Post by laknox on Jan 14, 2022 18:06:06 GMT -5
This fridge is 12 volt only so no propane option. when I said boondocking, I should have clarified it better. I would also use this when staying at a non electric campsites. A lot of the federal campsites in MO that we stayed at in the past are all non-electric. Not only that, but MO state parks now allow reservations 12 months in advance. So unless you want the electric site next to the dump station you have to book 364 days and 22 hours ahead of time. That's why I am asking about non-electric options. I know some of the invertor generators can be pretty quite, but I would rather not be that guy that has a generator running all weekend. In the past I've used plastic 1 or 2 liter soda bottles and or plastic half gallon orange juice jugs in my cooler. They seem to work well keeping food cold and you don't end up with wet food like you do with just a block ice. Since this space is so much larger than a cooler I wasn't sure if it would work. thanks everyone for you incite, I appreciate it. First off, what model Connect is this? All the current models have 8 ft gas/electric fridges and I don't see any option for a 10 ft fridge. Second, if the fridge truly is 12v only, then get at least 2 6v golf cart batteries and a 1k-2k watt inverter and simply keep the fridge powered up. Add solar to keep the batteries charged. If you have the $$$, go with Li batteries; you'll get double the storage for the same weight. Third, buy some freezer packs and a small, battery, circulation fan for the fridge. You can get the packs from ULine by the case in sizes from 3 to 48 oz per pack. Case price for 16 oz packs is $18 for a case of 18. Shipping, and I assume tax, would be added. Get the fan anyway, as it really does help keep your fridge at a much more even temp. www.uline.com/BL_2158/Cold-Packs?keywords=freezer+packswww.amazon.com/Camco-Fridge-Airator-Off-Switch/dp/B01E5SNB5I/ref=asc_df_B01E5SNB5I/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312106967466&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=2361277476824496499&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9030048&hvtargid=pla-489532310127&psc=1 Not the only fan out there. Lyle
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Post by 660catman on Jan 14, 2022 18:34:20 GMT -5
Lyle, I heard substitutions were made on fridges due to supply issue of propane fridges. This I learned back in April when I was looking for a new camper. Another brand I looked at had nothing but 12v fridges in theirs. I felt it wasn’t right for us especially with the campground issues in the last couple of years.
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Post by laknox on Jan 17, 2022 17:41:40 GMT -5
Lyle, I heard substitutions were made on fridges due to supply issue of propane fridges. This I learned back in April when I was looking for a new camper. Another brand I looked at had nothing but 12v fridges in theirs. I felt it wasn’t right for us especially with the campground issues in the last couple of years. More mfr's b.s. and the "specs may change without notice" CYA lawyerese. There ought to be a sticker plastered right on the fridge door stating "This is a 12v ONLY unit." Lyle
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Post by gwinger on Jan 17, 2022 18:30:33 GMT -5
A lot are starting to use the refrigerators with 12 volt compressors. Probably less expensive than the absorption type and no venting required.
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Post by laknox on Jan 18, 2022 11:45:59 GMT -5
A lot are starting to use the refrigerators with 12 volt compressors. Probably less expensive than the absorption type and no venting required. Fine with me, but there'd better be the battery capacity to handle that usage right out of the box. To me, that'd mean 2 batteries, minimum. Any bets on if mfrs will start only putting 2 20lb propane bottles on FWs since there won't be the "need" for propane to run the fridge? Either that, or make them an option you have to pay for. Lyle
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