What kind of fan does everyone have for their fridge? There are a couple on eBay like this one: Clicky. Or do you just use a simple battery powered box shaped one? Also what is the purpose of this Valterra vent fan Here? It looks like it cools the back of the fridge. Is this really necessary?Do any of these extend the life of the fridge?

the fan for the inside of the frig keeps the cool air in motion YES they do help . theres others on e bay around $15.bucks and on the outside YES it pulls the hot air out of the tight area behind the frig. also others on e bay . price should be in the $10. or less range . some use computer fans.

I'd pass on the one on eBay. I bought one last year...it works and is convenient that it pulls power from the fridge's light, but the little cubes probably take up less actual space. The single alligator clip attachment to the fins is a bit hinky.Todd

Our fridge is very little. Just use a battery operated fan . Purchased one last year and it was died after one use. But the one I got this year was good. This year's is in the link.

a creative solution using computer fan here

I wqould use the one that goes in the back of the refer(exterior access). I used one from radio shack 12 volt DC until I fixed the vetilation problem that exists on many rigs.

Fridge fans | Good Sam Community

21 Replies

ktmrfs
Explorer III
May 24, 2013
jmhensley wrote:
I have this fan but it will not work when i hook it up to the light it goes off when i shut the doors.. any solution to my problem i have a 2009 norcold

likely you have it hooked up to the wrong side of swith on the light. it should be hooked to the connector that is always at +12V. One side is always at +12V when the fridge is on. that goes to the switch, and the other side of the switch only has +12V when the fridge door is open.
jmhensley
Explorer
May 24, 2013
I have this fan but it will not work when i hook it up to the light it goes off when i shut the doors.. any solution to my problem i have a 2009 norcold
enblethen
Nomad
Jun 12, 2012
Here is link that shows venting problems.
RV mobile
JoeH
Explorer III
Jun 12, 2012
In my refer, I have spring bars that protect the fins from stuff on the shelf... I tie wrapped the fans to the spring bar and ran the wires to the hot side of the interior bulb. I also put a switch on the fans so I can turn them off if I want
RvBill3
Explorer
Jun 11, 2012
Attaches to the fins with alligator clip (which is fastened to the back of the fans) which also provides the ground to complete the power to it.
chesterb
Explorer
Jun 11, 2012
1fanman wrote:
How is this item attached to the fins? Sounds like a very good idea but would like to know exactly how you would go about mounting it to the cooling fins. Thanks in advance and happy/safe camping.1fanman/akaDel

The one like in my OP is attached with alligator clips.
beemerphile1
Explorer
Jun 11, 2012
JoeH wrote:
I have the hard drive cooling fans on the inside of the refer and it really helps to keep the frost off the fins and maintain even temps in the unit. I use 2 of the two fan units like this on the inside fins...

How does it attach. Your hard drive fans look the same as the eBay seller but I can't see how they attach.
1fanman
Explorer
Jun 11, 2012
RvBill3 wrote:
Recently bought the computer type fan in the OP. Easy install and works great. Had to adjust thermostat because fridge was getting too cold!

One minute install in Dometic. Attach to red wires on light (hot) and it runs whenever fridge is on.

How is this item attached to the fins? Sounds like a very good idea but would like to know exactly how you would go about mounting it to the cooling fins. Thanks in advance and happy/safe camping.1fanman/akaDel
JoeH
Explorer III
Jun 11, 2012
I have the hard drive cooling fans on the inside of the refer and it really helps to keep the frost off the fins and maintain even temps in the unit. I use 2 of the two fan units like this on the inside fins. Same thing as on ebay, but $10 cheaper. In the back of the refer, I put a fan in the chimney to exhaust the heat. Need to do everything you can to keep it cool in the FL heat and humidity. I can maintain the refer at 33 degrees in the hottest temps here and the freezer and ice maker work like a charm.
CincyGus
Explorer II
Jun 11, 2012
The main thing to remember is get air moving through the cooling fins. On TT's and other RV's that have a vent stack, they make a fan to pull air up the stack that is attached to the top of the stack. That or using a computer fan to blow air up the stack from the vent compartment would work well. Tyinginto the RV's 12v system is best as when it's on, the fans on. Put a switch on the fan to make sure you can turn it off when it's not needed such as in cooler weather. Makes a big difference in how fast the frig cools down to operating temp and how well it does in extreme heat.