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Old 08-27-2011, 06:40 PM   #11
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Re: Dometic RM2192 not running off battery

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On our van we are installing an iginition relay on the 12v feed to the 3-way refrigerator. That way when we stop the engine, the 12v frig will not be able to drain the house battery. The frig heating element draws like 12~15 amps!! That could drain the battery in one stop at the mall.
Just curious, what is going to power it if you take it off the house battery? Is the relay just to keep the heating element from operating, and will the 12v compressor still work off the house battery? I know nothing about the 3 way fridge but always assumed the propane position was there to keep from draining the house battery. Obvoiusly not from how I'm reading this.

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Old 08-28-2011, 04:43 PM   #12
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Re: Dometic RM2192 not running off battery

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Originally Posted by daveb
Just curious, what is going to power it if you take it off the house battery? Is the relay just to keep the heating element from operating, and will the 12v compressor still work off the house battery? I know nothing about the 3 way fridge but always assumed the propane position was there to keep from draining the house battery. Obvoiusly not from how I'm reading this.
The 12v mode of this frig is rather anemic is really only meant to keep the food cool while travelling. It doesn't have a compressor, it has a 12v heating coil that pinch-hits for the burner when the propane is not running. It uses so much power that a long lunch stop or roadside attraction could suck a lot of juice out of the house battery if we forget to switch it over. I would rather have warm beer than a dead battery.

The normal mode of operation is propane which doesn't use any electrical power.
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Old 08-29-2011, 12:17 PM   #13
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Re: Dometic RM2192 not running off battery

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Originally Posted by dhally
The 12v mode of this frig is rather anemic is really only meant to keep the food cool while travelling. It doesn't have a compressor, it has a 12v heating coil that pinch-hits for the burner when the propane is not running. It uses so much power that a long lunch stop or roadside attraction could suck a lot of juice out of the house battery if we forget to switch it over. I would rather have warm beer than a dead battery.

The normal mode of operation is propane which doesn't use any electrical power.
Anemic? Sounds useless. Why even have it hooked up to any 12v source if it doesn't cool enough... Backup? Can't you run propane while driving or are you worried about the fire hazard in a wreck? I must be missing something here.
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Old 08-29-2011, 01:06 PM   #14
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Re: Dometic RM2192 not running off battery

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Anemic? Sounds useless. Why even have it hooked up to any 12v source if it doesn't cool enough... Backup? Can't you run propane while driving or are you worried about the fire hazard in a wreck? I must be missing something here.
Sometimes, when driving, air currents will blow out the propane pilot light. You don't discover that until the refrig is opened after you stop. So, switch to 12V when driving, switch back to propane when stopped - even if it is only for 10 minutes! And you can't leave the propane on when traveling by ferry, so that could be several hours without cooling. The best I could say about it is it keeps food about 40-45 degrees cooler than ambient without plugging in or having 450 watts of solar panel.

Dave, you have discovered some of the reasons I really like my 12V only refrig.

Mike
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Old 08-29-2011, 06:09 PM   #15
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Re: Dometic RM2192 not running off battery

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Originally Posted by daveb
Anemic? Sounds useless. Why even have it hooked up to any 12v source if it doesn't cool enough... Backup? Can't you run propane while driving or are you worried about the fire hazard in a wreck? I must be missing something here.
The 12v feature is for use while driving, because the propane won't always stay lit.

But I feel a relay is important, so the battery doesn't get sucked dry like the OP's.
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Old 08-29-2011, 10:07 PM   #16
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Re: Dometic RM2192 not running off battery

Thanks for the explaination. Too bad it doesn't have the typical guts the DC versions have. Having low draw DC along with propane would make for a great backup mode.
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Old 08-29-2011, 10:21 PM   #17
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Re: Dometic RM2192 not running off battery

My dad has a 3-way in his slide in truck camper and runs it, that is to say has lit and burns propane, while driving. I thought "no way" but asked around and apparently that's pretty standard.

My only question at this point, can the propane keep up in 100º weather? Cool a fridge if you turn it on and load it in 75º weather? I am about ready to switch if that's the case- at lake powel my Norcold ran all night, sucked out my batteries and never got below 45º inside...
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Old 08-30-2011, 06:53 AM   #18
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Re: Dometic RM2192 not running off battery

Hi;

A long time ago we used propane powered everything at a remote prospect camp. The right unit will make ice if you want. It's really a matter of getting one that performs as advertised.

I imagine the RV websites have lots of advice...

Regards,

Gavin
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Old 08-30-2011, 04:58 PM   #19
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Re: Dometic RM2192 not running off battery

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Originally Posted by jage
My dad has a 3-way in his slide in truck camper and runs it, that is to say has lit and burns propane, while driving. I thought "no way" but asked around and apparently that's pretty standard.

My only question at this point, can the propane keep up in 100º weather? Cool a fridge if you turn it on and load it in 75º weather? I am about ready to switch if that's the case- at lake powel my Norcold ran all night, sucked out my batteries and never got below 45º inside...
Shoot, I have kept mine on all summer and it's been well over 100 and never had a problem. My van was reaching 120* sitting in the sun and it kept up. Yes it cycled quite a bit but on level 3, the stuff on the racks stayed at 42 all season. If I go to 4 stuff freezes. (I have the big fridge) The door was a different story though where temps reached levels I would worry about with things like milk going bad. So veggies and stuff that needs to be cool stays there now. 3 amps all night long barely dents my battery power. I still think a propane backup would be cool if the electric section was the same.
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