Driving with fridge on gas.....

Caz,

I wouldn't do it under any circumtances. It only needs the slightest leak. LPG is heavier than air and will "pool". Once the "pool" gets big enough it eventually reaches the flame in the fridge and BANG. You're all dead.

Spend a few bucks on very heavy cable and wire it direct to your battery and will run fine on 12 volt. Just make sure you unplug it when the engine is not running or you'll flatten your battery very quickly.

Cheers,

Jim.

Caz,
Totally agree with Jim and would like to add to his comment - It is also highly illegal to travel with the gas on. Fuel refilling with the gas on ???? just one tiny spark from static electricity and .............. Flat line
Cheers and good luck
Steve








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I have my 3 way fridge wired up from my axillary batteries, that are mounted on the draw bar of the caravan. With a soliniod switch in the circuit the fridge only operates when the engine of the car is running. By having a short (8swg) cable I am able to have 13+ volts at the fridge terminals. The batteries are fed from the car, via an Anderson plug with 4swg cable but please do not try and run the fridge on gas while you are travelling although, if the fridge is working properly, gas should cut out as soon as the flames goes out.
Also seal as much of the surrounding area with baffles and install a small 12v computer fan so that air can only pass over the heat exchangers.

Caz,
Exactly as the others have advised you...

You will NOT get any living person who will advise you to drive with the gas fridge operating !!

Mainey . . .

There was a beaut photo a few years ago of a 80 series Cruiser parked at Kings Canyon or Uluru where someone had gone on a walk and left the fridge on gas so the battery wouldn't be flattened.
Wasn't a pretty sight but instructive.
Regard sPhilip A

In A Word Illegal

We saw a caravan go up in gas fuelled flames once - believed to have started from the gas fridge. Luckily the owner was at work at the time. Neighbours were unable to put the fire out, and the van and all the owner's possessions we gone in a very few minutes. We couldn't save anything.

Mh

Not only dangerous, illegal as well

Hi All,

I don't know the legal ins and outs, but surely it is just not common sense to travel with it on.

As Jim posted earlier, vibrations can cause things to come loose.
As far as a concern for running it while sleeping..........
I would not sleep in a house without a fire alarm and if it has gas connected, a gas moniter.

I think there is a technical word for it, but all I can come up with is "stupid"

Surely as with homes, smoke detectors should be mandatory in caravans (actually all R.V.'s) and a gas monitor in all with gas (which I assume would be most).
Don't assume that is safe because the bottle is outside. Very rarely is the bottle the cause of a problem.........(please don't blast me with emails re incidents you've heard of where bottles have exploded, blah, blah, blah. Yes it does happen, but in most cases it is the line or appliance that causes the problem.)

In a nutshell............

1 Don't travel with the gas on.
2 Install a smoke detector. ($12 at Bunnings)
3 Install a gas monitor (available at all good RV stores)
4 Install a flash valve on your gas bottle.

Then relax, enjoy and drink away your troubles with your mind at ease.

Brian

Caz,
we worked ours out. Get yours hooked up properly. Im surprised it wasnt hooked up pre delivery. We have the andersen plug and pull it out while hooked to 240. The battery is charged while driving and while the 240 is hooked in. The main trouble we had was on the great ocean road,up and down up and down. Even if you tried gas the wind would blow it out i would think. Turn the temp knob off as the DC only runs one temp. I recond we had it worked out half way back. Mind you we dont risk travel with icecream in the freezer anymore.
Sharon

Not quite a regulation (probably find it buried in LPG standards called up in regulations), but the following statement in my Dometic Instruction Book is important:

"DO NOT OPERATE THE REFRIGERATOR ON LP GAS WHILE TRAVELLING".

If you had an insurance claim, the company would find that statement sufficient reason tom knock back your claim.

Being a little sarcastic, may I go on to say that if you had the fridge on gas overnight, and something nasty happened, your estate would probably get a nice payout from the insurance company!

While I would also encourage you to wire for 12V, there are valid reasons supporting the alternate view.

Here is one article by a retired engineer - Collyn Rivers - who previously contributed to this site, and is highly respected.
Perhaps worth a read.Caravan articles

To allay any fears on normal use - 3 way fridge installations are subject to stringent installation procedures and have been a very safe component of caravans, motorhomes etc over several decades. (eg do not be fearful of using them when asleep etc - they are safer than driving on our suburban roads).

.......kind regards.....Keith.

Have received this email in an attempt to see who has the 'responsibility' of upholding any 'law' on the dangerous idea of travelling with gas operating in a *moving* vehicle.


Thank you for your email below to roadsafety@transport.qld.gov.au on the above issue.
We have been advised that this issue is not the responsibility of QT, however falls under the jurisdiction of the Department of Mines and Energy, in particular, the Gas and Petroleum Inspectorate.

Therefore, may we suggest that you visit the Department of Mines and Energy website (doclink attached below) and follow the links to send them your enquiry.

http://www.dme.qld.gov.au/home.cfm

Regards
LT&S DOCentral
(Land Transport and Safety)

This is something else you can read @ the govt website:

27/11/07
Fridge dangers spark safety warning

Campers and holiday makers are being warned of the dangers of the incorrect use of portable gas fridges in the lead up to the busy summer holiday season.

Mines and Energy Minister Geoff Wilson said portable gas fridges could be dangerous if they were used in confined spaces.

"Tents, vehicles and caravans with no ventilation are danger zones for portable gas fridges," Mr Wilson said.

Minister Wilson said the Petroleum and Gas Inspectorate had issued a Safety Alert urging campers and holidaymakers to read the warning signs on appliances before use.

"The warning applies to portable gas refrigerators, as well as gas barbecues and portable gas heaters," he said.

The Petroleum and Gas Inspectorate has issued a direction that requires suppliers to fit additional safety warnings with greater visibility on portable gas fridges.

"The fridges are very convenient but people should be more aware of the risks of operating them outside their intended use or specifications," Mr Wilson said.

"Many portable fridge units use three-way operating systems (12 volt, 240 volt and LPG) and look like eskies.

"The point of difference is that portable fridges are not intended for use in confined spaces because they can generate high concentrations of carbon monoxide gas.

"The gas combustion-driven refrigeration process can use up the oxygen in a confined space leading to lethal quantities of carbon monoxide in that space.

"Carbon monoxide is colourless, odourless and can result in death when inhaled in relatively small concentrations."

A man died earlier this year from lethal gas poisoning. He was found dead in his vehicle near Tully in north Queensland. A forensic report established the cause of death as carbon monoxide poisoning.

"The report found his death may have been caused by a portable gas fridge inside his vehicle.

"Tests are currently being carried out to determine the rate of carbon monoxide generation by this type of portable fridge.

"In the lead up to the summer holiday season, people need to be more aware of the limitations and risks associated with gas appliances to avoid further tragedies."

Mainey . . .

Hi All

So there is no law against using an permanently installed gas fridge 1 2 or 3 way in a caravan or motorhome while travelling as has been discussed a of times on this forum

USER Beware of the unforeseen

They cannot make laws to stop accidents.
Laws are made only to apportion blame

BillF