Replacing a propane fridge with electric

[Lin]

Our propane/electric frig has been fine for the 11 years we've had the bus, and it was old when we got it.  We did have one problem some years ago when it did not seem to be cooling right on gas.  It turned out that our main propane tank regulator had failed. I should have noticed that the cooktop flame was really low!  Considering that we live in a desert, I did put in a small 12v fan to blow over the coils.  It does help with the cool down, but I think the frig would work anyway since it did before the fan.

I really have liked it for dry camping.  However, if it did fail I would look into other options also.

[kyle4501]

Curious why you are contemplating replacing your propane refer. I always heard they keep food good and cold and use little or no electric.

I got rid of my properly working propane fridge that was less than a year old because I don't want that much ammonia inside my coach.

I know it is rare to have that leak, but since I knew 2 people who were inside their camper when the ammonia leaked out. One lived a while, but his lung capacity was such that there was no quality of life.

So, that and the soft ice cream . . . . .

[Scott & Heather]

Samsung 26 cubic foot fridge was in our old bus. Similar but slightly smaller model in our new bus. Works perfect. Not much boondocking for us, but I like lots of food and I like it kept cold.


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[Zephod]

I got rid of my properly working propane fridge that was less than a year old because I don't want that much ammonia inside my coach.

I know it is rare to have that leak, but since I knew 2 people who were inside their camper when the ammonia leaked out. One lived a while, but his lung capacity was such that there was no quality of life.

So, that and the soft ice cream . . . . .

You could get hit head on by a Mack truck loaded with frilly undies and piloted by a driver too busy with his lot lizard to drive properly. That's probably more likely....

I don't have to worry. My bus currently changes all the air every 10 minutes and in a couple of weeks it will be every 5 minutes.

Had I realized earlier that there's zero advantage in any one kind of fan, I'd have gone for a pair of 7 inch fans and changed the air in 45 seconds.

As an afterthought... the refrigerants commonly used when combined with hydrocarbons e.g. Cigarette smoke become phosgene. That's a nerve gas and is quite toxic hence its use in war.

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[kyle4501]

I don't have to worry. My bus currently changes all the air every 10 minutes and in a couple of weeks it will be every 5 minutes.

I can't hold my breath for 5 minutes.

Ammonia is some seriously nasty stuff. It is very corrosive where other refrigerants - not so much.

It all boils down to personal choice - some like it, others don't. . .
BTW, almost $1500 for 9 cu ft propane  -vs- 500 for 12 cu ft for 115v . . . .

[Zephod]

Nobody has ever died from an absorption fridge. The worst apparently are norcold fridges that catch fire. I did a hunt and can find no evidence of anybody being killed by their fridge.


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[windtrader]

Ny Norcold is on propane 100% as the bus is in boondock mode. It uses a 5 gallon tank every two weeks, a lot more than I assumed. Currently, planning on adding solar and assessing the size of the system needed. If the electrical use is not much, I'll switch to AC and save the LP, leaving the oven and stove as the only LP in the coach.

[kyle4501]

Nobody has ever died from an absorption fridge. The worst apparently are norcold fridges that catch fire. I did a hunt and can find no evidence of anybody being killed by their fridge.


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I'm sure the widows will be comforted by the results of your search. 
The other fellow may not have died immediately, but the complications from the exposure led to his death within the next year or so.

Just because the instances are rare, does not mean the concerns aren't valid.

I have worked in plants that use ammonia as refrigerant for their freezers. The safety precautions for ammonia systems are substantial.

Propane explosions are rare, yet many shops will not allow propane tanks inside - they work on RVs outside. . . . .

[Scott & Heather]

Propane fridge fires are definitely a thing...google that


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[Brassman]

Nowadays I would think an electric fridge would be the way to go. Hands down!
Of course there is a plethora technology behind that.
In my experience, I found propane fridges quite finicky.

[Zephod]

Without seeing any news articles about people being killed by absorption fridges, I'm forced to assume this is another urban myth.


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[kyle4501]

Without seeing any news articles about people being killed by absorption fridges, I'm forced to assume this is another urban myth.

Exposure to high concentrations of ammonia in air causes immediate burning of the nose, throat and respiratory tract. This can cause bronchiolar and alveolar edema, and airway destruction resulting in respiratory distress or failure.

And you are allowed to make your own assumptions - even if they are wrong and misinformed. It isn't the absorption fridge that caused the problem, it was the concentration of ammonia that was between them & the door. Might not be a big deal for young healthy people, but folks with certain health issues are more prone to complications. Ammonia may not be the cause, but it certainly can contribute.

I can't imagine why one would base assumptions based on what was not in the news. Having to sell their camper because they can't use it anymore because of the complications from exposure didn't make the news either.

Recently, there was a house fire in my neighborhood. Nothing in the news about it, a murder suicide - also not in the news. . . . . Based on your logic, both of those events are urban myths.

Enjoy your bliss   

[sledhead]

so has anyone found a high efficient 120 volt fridge and freezer ?  ( low amps and more insulation )

dave   

[Lee Bradley]

These people have several
http://www.conservrefrigerators.com/conserv.html

[Zephod]

Exposure to high concentrations of ammonia in air causes immediate burning of the nose, throat and respiratory tract. This can cause bronchiolar and alveolar edema, and airway destruction resulting in respiratory distress or failure.

And you are allowed to make your own assumptions - even if they are wrong and misinformed. It isn't the absorption fridge that caused the problem, it was the concentration of ammonia that was between them & the door. Might not be a big deal for young healthy people, but folks with certain health issues are more prone to complications. Ammonia may not be the cause, but it certainly can contribute.

I can't imagine why one would base assumptions based on what was not in the news. Having to sell their camper because they can't use it anymore because of the complications from exposure didn't make the news either.

Recently, there was a house fire in my neighborhood. Nothing in the news about it, a murder suicide - also not in the news. . . . . Based on your logic, both of those events are urban myths.

Enjoy your bliss  

The house fire in your neighborhood and the murder suicide, tragic as they were, are one-off events. Samsung Galaxy 7 fires are known hazards. Absorption fridges killing people are not known events. In fact the last time somebody was killed by a fridge was yesterday but it was not ammonia poisoning - it was carbon monoxide.

On August 20 somebody was killed by a flying fridge door (after shooting it, after filling the fridge with tannerite).

Wikipedia lists refrigerator death as being suffocation caused by being trapped inside a fridge with a latch.

Nowhere can I find any information on people being killed by absorption fridges. This leads me to conclude that like your neighborhood, this is so incredibly rare that it's not worth counting. I'd say more people were killed by the Samsung Galaxy 7.


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