1998 concourse freezer unit test results
1998 concourse freezer unit test results
Got back from my trip to Galveston Island Texas. I had placed about a dozen frozen water bottles in the freezer before the trip. These were not for drinking but just to keep the freezer cold. Freezer got down to 10 degrees and refrigerator stayed at about 40 degrees all during the trip but we were hooked up to shore power except for short times when we drove out to the piers for fishing. ( about 5 hours at a time). Everything still looked good when we got back to rv site to plug back in. So I was happy with this. We stayed in that HOT Texas heat 3 days and drove back home to East Texas where it was still HOT!! We unplugged from any power on July 4th morning and here was the big surprise... FIVE DAYS LATER on July 8th the very last tidbit of ice was finally thawed out!!!! In Texas , In the summer...I am soooo impressed and happy it worked that well. Thermometer in freezer still read 50 degrees. Is this the norm? Has anyone else had these type results? I went from thinking the unit wasn't working to wow!!
1998 Concourse V-10 Triton....AKA...Land Shark
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caconcourse
- Senior Member
- Posts: 510
- Joined: October 31st, 2014, 10:25 pm
Re: 1998 concourse freezer unit test results
That's really impressive results. The fridge does seem to be well insulated and will hold cold for quite a while if it is not opened often or for long. I would have turned on the propane to keep it going while you were on the pier, or pretty much any time we know we are going to be parked for an hour or more. We do leave it off when driving. It seemed to stay colder when turned off than when we had in DC mode while driving.
I also keep a few water bottles in the freezer, but we take them out and drink them on those hot 3-digit temperature days. The transmission in the cab thaws them out while we are driving, but we get some ice cold water as it thaws. I just replace the ones we take out with new ones that freeze overnight.
It is quite a luxury to have lots of refrigerated storage on those long hot trips.
I also keep a few water bottles in the freezer, but we take them out and drink them on those hot 3-digit temperature days. The transmission in the cab thaws them out while we are driving, but we get some ice cold water as it thaws. I just replace the ones we take out with new ones that freeze overnight.
It is quite a luxury to have lots of refrigerated storage on those long hot trips.
Clay
2001 Concourse
Santa Barbara, CA
2001 Concourse
Santa Barbara, CA
Re: 1998 concourse freezer unit test results
Caconcourse, I don't even use propane and my stove has never been used. I don't even have any propane in my tank. Personally, I'm afraid of it and exhaust fumes so we eat out a lot and snack on things we can keep in the freezer or fridge and cook in the microwave. Also have a electric skillet we carry if needed but so far have not ever used that. When we got on the ferry to cross over to Galveston Island they asked us to turn our propane off. I told them we didn't have any. I guess they believed me. They did not check the valve or anything and just let us drive onboard!!
1998 Concourse V-10 Triton....AKA...Land Shark
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caconcourse
- Senior Member
- Posts: 510
- Joined: October 31st, 2014, 10:25 pm
Re: 1998 concourse freezer unit test results
Flame,
That's interesting. But there is no reason to be afraid of propane. When we bought our Chinook, we took advantage of a Good Sam free annual inspection for members, that included inspecting the propane system. We just turn it off when driving (many people leave it on for the refrigerator when driving!), or when we aren't using it for anything (generally if we have electricity).
Without propane you really limit your dry camping options (any campsite without electricity, or Walmart parking lots), because of the fridge and optionally the stove and furnace, and hot water for a shower if nothing else is available. We don't cook on our stove either, generally, but I use the stove to heat water for coffee when we are dry camping. The fridge works equally well on propane as it does with shore power.
Anyway, however you use your Chinook, it is a wonderful machine.
Clay
ps. There are no fumes from the propane either, unless you turn on your stove and don't light it.
That's interesting. But there is no reason to be afraid of propane. When we bought our Chinook, we took advantage of a Good Sam free annual inspection for members, that included inspecting the propane system. We just turn it off when driving (many people leave it on for the refrigerator when driving!), or when we aren't using it for anything (generally if we have electricity).
Without propane you really limit your dry camping options (any campsite without electricity, or Walmart parking lots), because of the fridge and optionally the stove and furnace, and hot water for a shower if nothing else is available. We don't cook on our stove either, generally, but I use the stove to heat water for coffee when we are dry camping. The fridge works equally well on propane as it does with shore power.
Anyway, however you use your Chinook, it is a wonderful machine.
Clay
ps. There are no fumes from the propane either, unless you turn on your stove and don't light it.
Clay
2001 Concourse
Santa Barbara, CA
2001 Concourse
Santa Barbara, CA
Re: 1998 concourse freezer unit test results
I am one of those people who drive with the propane on.
Anyway, there is carbon monoxide detector that will warn you if the fume has too much CO. There is a propane detector inside the Chinook. Just make sure they are working. I am super sensitive to CO, so I will be the first to die if there is a problem, but I have no problem with using propane in my Chinook.
Anyway, there is carbon monoxide detector that will warn you if the fume has too much CO. There is a propane detector inside the Chinook. Just make sure they are working. I am super sensitive to CO, so I will be the first to die if there is a problem, but I have no problem with using propane in my Chinook.
2000 Concourse dinette, on 1999 6.8L Ford E350 Triton V-10 Chassis
Re: 1998 concourse freezer unit test results
Thanks guys for the response. Wife and I don't "rough" it at all anymore. If a rv park does not have electricity we just keep going. So far...we have planned our trips in advance and have reserved spots. Also, instead of propane, my pet peave is my generator must run like new always!! If need be for hot coffee...crank up generator and stick it in the microwave!! If parked in a parking lot near a fishing pier and wife gets too hot I crank generator and a/c for a little bit. Maybe we just own a travelling porta can?? Oh well, We like it and soooo glad we bought a Chinook. Just like the rest of you guys, so far every trip we have been on someone has commented on how much they like our "Land Shark".
1998 Concourse V-10 Triton....AKA...Land Shark
Re: 1998 concourse freezer unit test results
I'm going to put in another "maybe just try the propane" vote.
Before I say that though, I know fears and just good old decisions don't have to be rational, logical, or please anyone but yourself. So please just ignore me trying to "logic" you into using propane if that's the case.
But.... most of us are driving vehicles that run on gasoline. Talk about flammable! Gas station fumes where clueless types smoke cigarettes as they lean over the filler nozzle, a 37 gallon tank load of it under the RV, etc. etc. Compared to that the propane system practically looks innocent! Oh and don't let me forget to mention all of the little plastic crimp connectors and unfused wires in the electrical system.
Propane is to be respected. But Chinook did a darned good job of setting up the propane system. It's almost to marine specs (not quite, but then there is no need for those specs on an RV that doesn't have a bilge in the keel). For example, not one propane joint in the coach (except of course where each line attaches to the appliance which can't be avoided). This is best practice but a friend's "high quality" Class C had joints galore not only inside the coach but in inaccessible places. Boo! Chinook also used long/forged flare nuts. Those are a bear to even FIND, but are correct for a moving vehicle. The copper tubing is also thicker than what I've seen at Home Depot and hardware stores.
The reason joints outside is good is that propane sinks. So with the joints below, if there does happen to be a small leak, it flows away outside. (This is also why propane on boats is such serious business: any leak collects in the bilge.) The long forged flares are good because they are much better in a vibration prone environment.
Now all that said, I have my places I refuse to go as well. For me it was the absorption refrigerator (the stock one in our rigs). I don't like the design, and the recall they did to address the tendency to catch on fire struck me as a band-aid approach. I would guess that running it on electricity is less risky, but there is still hydrogen and etc. in the tubing (which can crack). But then again, you don't see RV's on fire right and left.
Okay, now I probably just made a nuisance of myself, but it's hard for me not to respond about propane. Not because it doesn't have its dangers (it most certainly does), but rather because propane often seems to be singled out vs. electrical, gasoline, hydrogen, and other such things. Poor, maligned propane
Before I say that though, I know fears and just good old decisions don't have to be rational, logical, or please anyone but yourself. So please just ignore me trying to "logic" you into using propane if that's the case.
But.... most of us are driving vehicles that run on gasoline. Talk about flammable! Gas station fumes where clueless types smoke cigarettes as they lean over the filler nozzle, a 37 gallon tank load of it under the RV, etc. etc. Compared to that the propane system practically looks innocent! Oh and don't let me forget to mention all of the little plastic crimp connectors and unfused wires in the electrical system.
Propane is to be respected. But Chinook did a darned good job of setting up the propane system. It's almost to marine specs (not quite, but then there is no need for those specs on an RV that doesn't have a bilge in the keel). For example, not one propane joint in the coach (except of course where each line attaches to the appliance which can't be avoided). This is best practice but a friend's "high quality" Class C had joints galore not only inside the coach but in inaccessible places. Boo! Chinook also used long/forged flare nuts. Those are a bear to even FIND, but are correct for a moving vehicle. The copper tubing is also thicker than what I've seen at Home Depot and hardware stores.
The reason joints outside is good is that propane sinks. So with the joints below, if there does happen to be a small leak, it flows away outside. (This is also why propane on boats is such serious business: any leak collects in the bilge.) The long forged flares are good because they are much better in a vibration prone environment.
Now all that said, I have my places I refuse to go as well. For me it was the absorption refrigerator (the stock one in our rigs). I don't like the design, and the recall they did to address the tendency to catch on fire struck me as a band-aid approach. I would guess that running it on electricity is less risky, but there is still hydrogen and etc. in the tubing (which can crack). But then again, you don't see RV's on fire right and left.
Okay, now I probably just made a nuisance of myself, but it's hard for me not to respond about propane. Not because it doesn't have its dangers (it most certainly does), but rather because propane often seems to be singled out vs. electrical, gasoline, hydrogen, and other such things. Poor, maligned propane
1999 Concourse
Re: 1998 concourse freezer unit test results
I believe the top two RV fire causes are electrical problems and engine compartment related failures. Then comes propane.
A primary propane based fire starter is the absorption refrigerator, which uses heat (from propane, AC, or DC) and common chemicals ammonia, hydrogen, water.
Older designs (umm, probably pre-97) especially are sensitive to off level situations. Absorption fridges have no pump, instead relying on heat and gravity to move the chemicals up and down the piping. If too off level, the movement slows or stops, causing clogs, hot spots, possibly fire.
Later designs used less level sensitive coil designs, but then were in a class action lawsuit about pipes failing and releasing hydrogen gas which is ignited by the propane flame.
Another, less well known source, are fires caused by the control board overheating.
Many people do travel with their fridge on, although of course all gas appliances are supposed to be turned off at gas stations, due to the worry that a gas igniter will also ignite fumes.
Others prefer not to risk fires while driving, relying on the ability of the fridge to stay cold for hours.
A primary propane based fire starter is the absorption refrigerator, which uses heat (from propane, AC, or DC) and common chemicals ammonia, hydrogen, water.
Older designs (umm, probably pre-97) especially are sensitive to off level situations. Absorption fridges have no pump, instead relying on heat and gravity to move the chemicals up and down the piping. If too off level, the movement slows or stops, causing clogs, hot spots, possibly fire.
Later designs used less level sensitive coil designs, but then were in a class action lawsuit about pipes failing and releasing hydrogen gas which is ignited by the propane flame.
Another, less well known source, are fires caused by the control board overheating.
Many people do travel with their fridge on, although of course all gas appliances are supposed to be turned off at gas stations, due to the worry that a gas igniter will also ignite fumes.
Others prefer not to risk fires while driving, relying on the ability of the fridge to stay cold for hours.
1994 Concourse dinette, Ford 7.5L (460 V8)