Propane Refrigerator?

rnbenton

rnbenton

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I didn't want to hijack the other current refrigerator thread so decided to start a new one.

My boat is diesel powered. In the galley, my cooking stove is propane. So, I already have a propane delivery system unstalled. Naturally, it is serviced and completely checked every year.

So, my question is, why not a propane powered frige? There's been a lot of debate, and very good feed back, about several different electric configurations for powering a refrigerator. I'm not going to recount all of them, only to say that there are several. They all have their pro's and con's.

So, again I ask, why not a propane refrigerator? Especially on a boat like mine that is diesel powered and already has a propane system in place, why not? This would take any electrical considerations out of the equation.

Bob

PS: Yes, I understand how they work and I also understand that there is a flame involved. But, then again, there is a flame every time I fire up the cooking stove.
 
for one thing the cooking flame is supervised while the refer would be hidden and unsupervised.
 
I think the biggest draw back against propane refrigeration has to do with the flame staying vertical while the rest of the refrigeration system rolls or heels with the boat. Having said that I had good friend that sailed around the world on a boat equipped with a propane powered reefer/freezer.
 
quote:
Originally posted by pdecat

I guess that you will need a vent stack.

Click to expand...


Yes, venting is one of the installation concerns. But, not really a problem to do. where my current frige sets there is a false bulkhead behind it where I could easily run a vent hose.

Plus, keep in mind, when under way or on shore power the propane would be turned off. It's only when on the hook that it would be operated on gas so keeping it within verticle requirements would not be an issue.

According to manufacturer data, the unit I am looking at only burns 1.2 gallons of propane in 7 days. Using it only when on the hook would totally eliminate any frige drain on house batteries.

Bob
 
I can understand turning off a stove except on the hook, but a fridge needs to stay cold all the time.
 
I've been doing a bunch of research as I look to do the same thing for our houseboat. I want to leave it at a dock we have that doesn't have shore power for weeks at a time and not have the food go bad.

What i've found is the reason most boats and full hull houseboats don't have the propane fridge is the danger of the pilot going out and there being long time frames where the gas is just running. Propane is heavy and will collect in the bilge/boat with nowhere to escape and thus becomes the potential for a large boom! Luckily our houseboat is on pontoons with no bilge for the gas to collect and that risk is almost non-existent as long as we add the additional required vent for the fridge itself.

On a closed hull houseboat or regular boat, i'd be concerned.

In your case where you'd only be using it on the hook and while your there, reduces the risk, there still exists the greater chance of danger if there is a leak or equipment failure since you have a bilge and the gas could collect there.

The one we are looking at is a propane/AC fridge that will run on shore power or genny if needed as well as propane when left at our off-grid location.

my 2 cents.
 
quote:
Originally posted by boatcomfort

+1 with L.KEITH.

Propane refrige in a boat never make sense. Sorry gents.!!

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I've got to agree with Tony on this. Pushing fate can be dangerous. Unless the fridge is specifically certified for marine use I think you are using the device in a "manner not intended".
 
quote:
Originally posted by dancerscap

I can understand turning off a stove except on the hook, but a fridge needs to stay cold all the time.

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When not on propane, the frige runs on either 110 volt or 12 volts. So, yes, it stays cold all the time.

Bob
 
quote:
Originally posted by floydsfloat

What i've found is the reason most boats and full hull houseboats don't have the propane fridge is the danger of the pilot going out and there being long time frames where the gas is just running.
Click to expand...


Not true. First of all a propane frige doesn't have a "pilot" light. They have a small electrical ignitor. When they are running and cooling the flame is, itself, about the size of a normal pilot light, very small. When the frige reaches the set temp the flame goes out. There is no continuous flame.

Also, if the flame gets blown out the gas automatically shuts off. So, there is no running gas.

Plus, as with my cooking propane. Any time I am off the boat for long periods I shut the gas off at the bottle as an added safety measure.

Bob
 
I looked at a new houseboat for a friend a few years ago. That boat came with propane refrigeration (as well as a propane incinerating head). So the option is out there. Many RVs come with propane refrigeration, and they're bouncing all over the road.

That being said, Bob, adding that one extra battery you've been talking about is going to give you more than enough power and will be cheaper to do. Plus, I bet you can find diesel a heck of a lot easier than propane in the Bahamas! :-)
 
What does the flame generate in order to make refrigeration, (cold) after all it IS counter intuitive but I know it works in RV's. How many pounds of propane per day for say a dorm sized refer on a 80 deg day ?
 
quote:
Originally posted by bobalong

What does the flame generate in order to make refrigeration, (cold) after all it IS counter intuitive but I know it works in RV's. How many pounds of propane per day for say a dorm sized refer on a 80 deg day ?

Click to expand...


RV size propane frige will run for 7 days on one gallon of propane. (According to MFG info as well as info on other forums)

Bob
 
quote:
Originally posted by mixman

I bet you can find diesel a heck of a lot easier than propane in the Bahamas! :-)

Click to expand...


Kurt, good point about the cost/availability of propane in the Bahamas. But, since I already carry two porpane bottles, given the small amount a frige burns, that should be more than sufficient for a few weeks.

But, if I should run out of propane it will then run on either 12 volt or 110 volt. So, in that unlikely case, I can run the gen as much as I need to to charge batteries and run the frige.

Bob
 
RV's and other installations are not sitting in a "container" as is a boat hull.

Frankly, I would have difficulty being a believer in this, likewise I would not ever "feel" safe.

RWS
 
Propane units are vented to the outside. Thousands of RVs have the 3 way units, as do alot of Pontoon Houseboats. They work well. Go for it.
 
If you can find a "marine" propane fueled refrigerator and if you can meet all the ABYC and USCG safety requirements (or recommendations), then it may or may not be the best choice for you.

I don't recall seeing propane refrigerators in the West Marine or Defender catalogs and there's probably a reason for that.

Boats and RVs are entirely different when it comes to explosive fumes, both gasoline and propane.

Me - I'll be sticking with electric power for my refrigeration needs. You can always add batteries or even solar charging.
 
quote:
Originally posted by OLD HOUSEBOATER

Propane units are vented to the outside. Thousands of RVs have the 3 way units, as do alot of Pontoon Houseboats.
Click to expand...

Off the top of my head, I'm thinking RVs and pontoon boats don't have bilges.
 
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