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MRF's avatar
MRF
Explorer
Aug 04, 2013

Switch for cooling fans

Hello All:

I just joined the Good Sam Club and RV.NET. This is my first post.

This is also my 1st RV experience. I bought a used RV from my friend and am getting a considerable education, rather quickly. I have been hit with some mechanical and electrical surprises and even a refrigerator fire, at the RV service center during a de-winterization service (and yes, we are still friends). I can't wait to use this thing!

My electrical components are sitting directly below my refrigerator. I sealed all the necessary areas and installed vents with 120 mm computer cooling fans to force cool air across my electronics and up across the back of my refrigerator area, then exhausted through my roof vent with another fan. My power source is the 12 V refrigerator wiring. For right now I do not have a thermal switch, just a SPST, 2 terminal, On, Off toggle.

I am an electrical neophyte and don't want to take any chances in the RV electrical arena, of which I have no experience. You would think wiring a simple toggle is a simple task, however I have read numerous blogs and posts, some saying connect both wires to the back of the toggle, some saying place the power wire on the toggle and run the other one to an independent ground and one with no mention of ground at all.
Which is correct????? That is the 1st question.
2nd question: Do you think I should put in an in-line fuse?
Any input would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you
MRF
  • Electricity goes around in a circuit, starting at the battery, going through the load and back to the battery. So you want to run it through the switch or thermostat so it can interrupt the flow. Just one wire will go through the switch, not two. The positive wire should be switched. Positive to the switch, then from the wire on the other side of the switch to the fan positive, then from its other wire back to the battery either through a ground or negative wire in the fridge.
  • Go to the hardware store.

    Ask for a MECHANICAL DIAL TYPE wall thermostat for a HOME AIR CONDITONER

    This is a high amperage thermostat for AIR CONDITIONING. It has four wires sticking out of it.

    The four wires are TWO PAIRS, meaning in 300 years when one side wears out, connect the other pair. There are clear diagrams.

    Screw the thermostat to the inside ROOF of the compartment. Spin the dial on the thermostat until which temperature you want the fans to come on at. The dial has painted numbers in Fahrenheit on it. Hard to go wrong. Adjust to your taste in temperature.

    From then on, it's all automatic. When it gets hot the fans come on.

    Slam the compartment door and forget about switches. The thermostat dial when turned all the way down clicks the whole shebang off just like a switch.

    The wiring of this thing is so simple it is hard to believe. Just connect with butt connectors.

    Rated for 25 amps DC. It'll do the job and there ain't no steenking batteries.

    Turn off the electrical system (batteries) for the winter or when storing for long periods of time.

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