Charlie D.
Gonzales, La.
Senior Member
Joined: 09/12/2006
View Profile
|
BurbMan wrote:webhannet wrote:It's not "using" propane in the tunnel that's the issue - it's HAVING it there.
That's the issue....the Chesapeake Bay Bridge, Harbor Tunnel in Baltimore, etc., all prohibit the transportation of propane bottles. You can't bring them on the road PERIOD whether on or off.
The Chesapeake Bay Bridge and Tunnel allows transportation of propane bottles. When I got to Norfolk, I pulled off at the inspection station and was asked to turn my bottles off. I did so and proceeded through that tunnel. When I got to the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and Tunnel, I pulled into the right lane, was asked if my bottles were off, I said yes. They said, "that will be $20.00 and here's a treat for your dog. Have a good day"
Not from there so maybe we are not talking about the same tunnel?
Enjoying Your Freedom?
Thank A Veteran
2007 Holiday Rambler 32SKT
2006 Chev LT D/A CC
|
mobeewan
Hampton, Va
Senior Member
Joined: 01/03/2007
View Profile
|
Charlie D. wrote:BurbMan wrote:webhannet wrote:It's not "using" propane in the tunnel that's the issue - it's HAVING it there.
That's the issue....the Chesapeake Bay Bridge, Harbor Tunnel in Baltimore, etc., all prohibit the transportation of propane bottles. You can't bring them on the road PERIOD whether on or off.
The Chesapeake Bay Bridge and Tunnel allows transportation of propane bottles. When I got to Norfolk, I pulled off at the inspection station and was asked to turn my bottles off. I did so and proceeded through that tunnel. When I got to the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and Tunnel, I pulled into the right lane, was asked if my bottles were off, I said yes. They said, "that will be $20.00 and here's a treat for your dog. Have a good day"
Not from there so maybe we are not talking about the same tunnel?
Charlie D. is right about CBB&T. Having propane IS NOT the issue. The OP is concerned about propane in the tunnels in Southeast Va because he will have to stop and turn it off, then stop again to restart it for the fridge. He doesn't want to stop the second time, so he is looking into using an inverter to run the fridge on AC.
Burbman is talking about the bridges and tunnels in Maryland. There is a bridge called the Chesapeake Bay Bridge that connects eastern and western Maryland accross the upper part of the bay as opposed to the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and Tunnel connecting Norfolk with the Eastern Shore.
All Virginia Tunnels allow propane to pass through as long as you stop for inspection and they see the cylinders are shut off and you are not carrying more than a certain amount. It is in Maryland that there is a problem transporting prpoane. They think just because you enter a tunnel or pull onto a bridge your cylinders will spontaneously explode even if they are turned off so they do not allow any propane period.
* This post was
edited 08/19/08 04:17am by mobeewan *
|
marc71
South East VA
Senior Member
Joined: 08/18/2008
View Profile
 Offline
|
Thanks for all your replies... Really this wasn't the topic of my post, having to shut the gas off at the tunnels as it was just something I would have to do living in this area (only comming and going). As I stated in the beginning, I'm sure gas is safe to run going down the road, I just don't feel comfortable doing so as I'm sure other's don't. I did some research last night and the type of fridge in an RV will draw very little amps and being that there is no "surge" when started could run on as little as a 800W inverter properly connected to the batter of the TV with 4-8 guage wire. How long it would last with the TV not running still remains to be a mystery but this is not really a concern being that if stopped for a period of time I would just switch to gas and all would be well. So with that, I plan on running a 4ga. wire from my battery to a plug at the rear of my truck with the opposite end connected directly to my trailers batteries (fused of coarse) connecting the inverter as close the the batteries as possible (in the pass through in the front of the camper) and running hard wire to a plug in back of the fridge with an outlet, this will allow me to just remove the a/c plug from the RV side and plug it to the inverter and power up. This will also serve as 110v power will parked at rest stops and such for the night to run small things that might be needed, TV or what have you. Again thanks so much for all your help.
2002 Toyota Tundra SR5 TRD 4x4
2003 Keystone Springdale 268 BHL-GL
Prodigy Brake Control
Eaz-Lift WD - Eaz-Lift sway control
Picture Comming as soon as I can figure out my WD and get the truck to sit the way it should!
|
greenrvgreen
open road
Senior Member
Joined: 09/05/2007
View Profile
|
marc--
I don't recall the size of your battery bank--I don't think you mentioned it. Nor did you mention the size of your fridge. However, I can give you a general idea of how long your fridge can run soley from a TT battery.
Let's say you have my fridge, which is the small Dometic I described in my previous post (rm 2510). Let's imagine that you have a single "regular-sized" RV battery (group 24/75 ah). That fridge will run for about 2-3 hours until you "should" recharge your battery. That battery will run dry after about 5 hours, sustaining wear. Several full discharges, and you can plant that battery in your garden.
If you have 2 of those batteries, you can double the time. I have the equivilent of 6 of those batteries (4 golf cart batteries). I run everything in my TT from electric, and my gold standard was that I can run 12 hours full-tilt between recharges.
|
dodge guy
Chicago, western subs.
Senior Member
Joined: 03/23/2004
View Profile
Offline
|
I too don`t like having a flame going while driving down the road. our first TT was an Award and had a 3-way fridge. I always switched it over to "12V" while traveling. when we got our first new TT I wired up an inverter to run the fridge. never had any issues doing it that way. and I think before our Disney trip in Nov. I will wire up the inverter in our new TT which we have had for 2 1/2 years. this is the first long trip with "this" TT and will feel better knowing there is no flame on while driving!
The only time I believe the fridge should be on LP is when you have no electric hookup.
Wife kim
Son brandon 7yrs
Daughter marissa 6yrs
Dog shadow
07 Cherokee 32B
02 Excursion 4X4 V-10 4.30 gear
Reese HP dualcam,Prodigy brake controller,
Air lift air bags.
Better to have a bad day of
camping than a good day at work!
|
|
|
marc71
South East VA
Senior Member
Joined: 08/18/2008
View Profile
Offline
|
Just so some of you are aware, which it is posted on this forum somewhere in the beginning, there is a recall for Dometic fridges (just found out today mine is on the recall list) and it's possible without the fix that they can catch on fire while in gas operation. Now imagine driving down the road and your trailer catches on fire, OUCH! Anyways, as I said above, I'm going with the inverter for over the road use, everything I've looked up shows it will work and it's really not that hard of a hook up. I'll let you all know how it turns out as I'm putting it in this weekend for our trip to the Eastern shore next week.
|
mobeewan
Hampton, Va
Senior Member
Joined: 01/03/2007
View Profile
|
Imagine it catching on fire while you are sleeping and not going down the road.
|
Mousefart
New Jersey
Senior Member
Joined: 08/15/2004
View Profile
Offline
|
I always travel with my fridge on propane. That's what it was DESIGNED for.
Paul (Mouse)
2007 Flagstaff Shamrock 17 Hybrid (heavily modified for boondocking and winter camping).
2007 Dodge Dakota Quad Cab 4x4, 4.7L HO, factory tow, 3.92 gears.
Equil-i-zer Hitch, Prodigy.
Yamaha EF2400 Generator (quiet, cause I care!)
|
marc71
South East VA
Senior Member
Joined: 08/18/2008
View Profile
Offline
|
Mousefart... I know that's what it was designed for, bungee cords were designed for their intended purpose too but I choose not to use one, get my point? The inverter is a simple hook up as I've already started it and in the long run will save me $$ on gas too not having to run the fridge on propane. I got a 1500 watt inverter for $160 plus about 30 for wires and such and as I said above this will also give me power for other things I made need while traveling down the road, tv, dvd, hair dryer for my girl etc...
|
Mousefart
New Jersey
Senior Member
Joined: 08/15/2004
View Profile
Offline
|
marc71 wrote:Mousefart... I know that's what it was designed for, bungee cords were designed for their intended purpose too but I choose not to use one, get my point? The inverter is a simple hook up as I've already started it and in the long run will save me $$ on gas too not having to run the fridge on propane. I got a 1500 watt inverter for $160 plus about 30 for wires and such and as I said above this will also give me power for other things I made need while traveling down the road, tv, dvd, hair dryer for my girl etc...
I understand your logic, but the reality falls short. You spent $190 for an inverter and wires to "save $$$ on propane". The reality is the RV fridges SIP propane. That $190 would probably run your fridge for several YEARS of camping. In fact, the amount of gasoline you will use to keep the batteries charged with your alternator, which runs the inverter, which runs the fridge while driving will probably be four or five times the cost of just running it on propane.
All of your other reasons for installing an inverter are 100% valid, but to save money over running the fridge on propane is not one of them.
However, that being said, I do have a 400 watt inverter in my camper, and yes, my fridge is on the same circuit that can be optionally powered by the inverter. I use the inverter for my LED "tacky lights" and to recharge my laptop and cell phone. It will run the fridge in an EMERGENCY such as if I ran out of propane or the burner failed. Other than that, it is always on propane.
I could run the fridge on the inverter when travelling, but I wouldn't even consider it. As I said before, it would cost me a LOT more in gasoline than it does in propane.
|
|
|
|
