Muffin Fan Installation Norcold 1200LRIM
It is imperative that the cooling units on the Norcold 1200LRIM get proper ventilation. These units are shipped with two muffin fans mounted on top of the coils. Drawing air upward over the coils is more efficient than blowing air upward from the bottom. The problem arises when outside temps skyrocket. The coils heat up and the cooling process diminishes. Often, the OEM muffin fans are inadequate to keep up or they fail altogether. To access these fans, the fridge must be pulled part way out and even then it's a pain. My solution to these issues was to buy and mount additional fans and put them where I could easily access them if they were to fail. My two OEM fans pulled 45cfm ea.
I purchased four of THESE fans @ $4.25ea. I also purchased a new snap switch to control the fans although they really could run 24/7. These button switches are available on Ebay, package of three for $5.15 free shipping. Finally, I purchased two 48" pieces of 3/4 angle aluminum stock from Home Depot at $6.15 ea. Mounting screws are a personal choice, but I chose 2" stainless steel hex screws with nylon lock nuts. Package of two @ 98 cents/ea.
Below are some pictures to assist if you decide to follow my footsteps. It took me about 1 1/2 hours the first time and about an hour the second time. Originally I mounted the fans flush with the roof line but the hum resonated through the coach so I disassembled everything and redid it lowering the fans further into the flue opening.....PM me if you have any questions. Hope this helps someone....Dennis
Up on the roof, this is what you see.
After removing the shroud, there is a plastic mesh covering
Remove the plastic mesh covering
I removed the fans I had installed a few weeks ago
Using scrap left over from making the fan holder, I made 4 legs
Remounting the fans using the new legs prevents the sound from resonating in the coach
The beige plastic cover you see in the pictures is for my solar panels. The wiring runs down the side of the refrigerator compartment. I used this wiring loom to run my 12VDC wiring for the muffin fans. I now leave my fridge on 3 and keep the box temp around 38 degrees and the freezer below zero. In 100+ outside temps I kicked it up to 5. IMHO, this is a simple, inexpensive way to enhance the performance of your Norcold. Also, if I have any problems with these fans, they are readily accessible......Dennis
I purchased four of THESE fans @ $4.25ea. I also purchased a new snap switch to control the fans although they really could run 24/7. These button switches are available on Ebay, package of three for $5.15 free shipping. Finally, I purchased two 48" pieces of 3/4 angle aluminum stock from Home Depot at $6.15 ea. Mounting screws are a personal choice, but I chose 2" stainless steel hex screws with nylon lock nuts. Package of two @ 98 cents/ea.
Below are some pictures to assist if you decide to follow my footsteps. It took me about 1 1/2 hours the first time and about an hour the second time. Originally I mounted the fans flush with the roof line but the hum resonated through the coach so I disassembled everything and redid it lowering the fans further into the flue opening.....PM me if you have any questions. Hope this helps someone....Dennis
Up on the roof, this is what you see.
After removing the shroud, there is a plastic mesh covering
Remove the plastic mesh covering
I removed the fans I had installed a few weeks ago
Using scrap left over from making the fan holder, I made 4 legs
Remounting the fans using the new legs prevents the sound from resonating in the coach
The beige plastic cover you see in the pictures is for my solar panels. The wiring runs down the side of the refrigerator compartment. I used this wiring loom to run my 12VDC wiring for the muffin fans. I now leave my fridge on 3 and keep the box temp around 38 degrees and the freezer below zero. In 100+ outside temps I kicked it up to 5. IMHO, this is a simple, inexpensive way to enhance the performance of your Norcold. Also, if I have any problems with these fans, they are readily accessible......Dennis
