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All_I_could_aff's avatar
All_I_could_aff
Explorer
Jul 22, 2015

Thank you for the refrigerator fan mod tips

I I have learned so much from this forum that I couldn't begin to list it all. This week I finally got around to adding a small computer fan to the outside of my 1999 Americana refrigerator. It is attached to the underside of the hot coils blowing upwards. Prior to this modification, my refrigerator temperature would start off around 35 or 40° first thing in the morning, and creep up to 45 to 50° on a typical 80 or 90° day even without opening and closing the door. So I just wanted to thank all of you who shared your ideas and pictures because now without any other changes, my refrigerator was able to stay at 39° Even on an 88° sunny day!
Thanks again, one more mod complete!
  • Wishbone51's avatar
    Wishbone51
    Explorer
    Jul 22, 2015
    I haven't done the fan on the outside yet. That's my next mod. Have you tried the fan on the (edit)interior(/edit) fridge coils? That worked wonders for me.

    I got the same numbers that you get with/without the interior fan. I'm excited to try both. I get nervous above 35* :)

    I bought one of those remote thermometer readouts. Though it gives a bit of piece of mind, it was just one more thing to make me worry. Before, I just used to camp and not worry about the fridge :)
  • 4aSong's avatar
    4aSong
    Explorer
    Jul 22, 2015
    What is the difference:

    Fan on the outside?
    Fan on the fridge coils?
  • All_I_could_aff's avatar
    All_I_could_aff
    Explorer
    Jul 22, 2015
    I believe Mr. wishbone is referring to the cold coils inside the refrigerator. I did not do that mainly because my refrigerator is so tiny I didn't want to take up any more space and less necessary.
  • midnightsadie's avatar
    midnightsadie
    Explorer II
    Jul 22, 2015
    want it cooler, put a bungee cord across the door just a little tension on the door seals better , my frig will freeze milk.
  • hawkeye-08's avatar
    hawkeye-08
    Explorer III
    Jul 22, 2015
    You can get a computer CPU fan, 2" square, 1/2" thick if space is premium and position it to blow across the interior fins to circulate the air and even out the interior temps.
  • YC_1's avatar
    YC_1
    Nomad
    Jul 22, 2015
    Make sure your drain tube is not cracked and that it is properly installed. Often folks move them and depending on the design they may need a U drip loop area to trap water. If that is not working warm air enters and you will be amazed at the temp differences.
  • shepcal's avatar
    shepcal
    Explorer
    Jul 22, 2015
    Glad it works for you! I didn't use a computer fan, but bought the solar refer cap and fan. Put a switch inline so while not camping fan wouldn't run when sun hit solar panel. Keeping outside coil cooler helped my refer stay cooler quite abit!
  • spike99's avatar
    spike99
    Explorer
    Jul 23, 2015
    Glad computer fan worked for your RV fridge as well. Like many, I also did this mod (to the back of fridge/ plastic pull tied to its cooling coil). IMO, 35+ CFM low cost computer fan should be factory build. But, that's a topic for a different post.
  • sullivanclan's avatar
    sullivanclan
    Explorer
    Jul 27, 2015
    Northstar truck campers have put a 12v small fan with a switch and thermostat controlled from factory. Works great.

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