UPDATE: LRIM1201fridge not cold, freezer is
I know I have seen this before but several searches turned up blank. Had similar problem almost 2 years ago while in the same place--it was a faulty thermal switch connection to the fans 2002 co...
Forum Discussion
The 120VAC fan is working somewhat, still not as cold as we would like but suspect that the high ambient temps ( 70s at night, high 80s t0 low 90s during the day) may be a factor.
Also the thermal switch for the fans is acting up--probably tarnished terminals--so I have bypassed it. The one remaining fan runs 24/7 as does the 120VAC fan.
Possibly new problem or related to the above? The interior fins are frosting up, much more on the right side than the left.
Thoughts or comments?
Back to the non working fans:
I am trying to get 2 120mm (4") computer fans to put it until we can get back home.
Do I just hang them with wires from and below the fins?
Or should I get some aluminum flat or angle stock and make a bracket to attach to the upper vent opening so the fans will be just below and blow upwards?
I can attach the aluminum to the RV wall at the vent opening but I doubt that I should put screws into the back of the fridge to secure the other end.
Then once I get these problems dealt with I have some serious thinking to do:
The big question is what to do when we get home? Just replace the fans? Replace the entire cooling unit? Replace the fridge with the same? OR replace with a residential compressor fridge? This would involve adding one or two more solar panels, another inverter/charger and another solar controller all to run the fridge. We would also need a switch to be able to turn off the 120VAC to that inverter/charger when running the heatpump while having only a 30 Amp connection is available, such as when we are here in southern Mexico.
A domestic residential fridge is much cheaper than a new RV fridge, even factoring in the extra solar and inverter. Just the cooling unit for our present fridge is $1100.00 US. Most of the residential fridges are quite energy efficient though what the power usage here in high ambient temperature Mexico we have yet to find out.
A lot of the above depends on the age of our fridge. Is it the original? (2002) or was it replaced before we bought it in 2008? We're hoping that we can discover that by the serial number.
Decisions, decisions.
Also the thermal switch for the fans is acting up--probably tarnished terminals--so I have bypassed it. The one remaining fan runs 24/7 as does the 120VAC fan.
Possibly new problem or related to the above? The interior fins are frosting up, much more on the right side than the left.
Thoughts or comments?
Back to the non working fans:
I am trying to get 2 120mm (4") computer fans to put it until we can get back home.
Do I just hang them with wires from and below the fins?
Or should I get some aluminum flat or angle stock and make a bracket to attach to the upper vent opening so the fans will be just below and blow upwards?
I can attach the aluminum to the RV wall at the vent opening but I doubt that I should put screws into the back of the fridge to secure the other end.
Then once I get these problems dealt with I have some serious thinking to do:
The big question is what to do when we get home? Just replace the fans? Replace the entire cooling unit? Replace the fridge with the same? OR replace with a residential compressor fridge? This would involve adding one or two more solar panels, another inverter/charger and another solar controller all to run the fridge. We would also need a switch to be able to turn off the 120VAC to that inverter/charger when running the heatpump while having only a 30 Amp connection is available, such as when we are here in southern Mexico.
A domestic residential fridge is much cheaper than a new RV fridge, even factoring in the extra solar and inverter. Just the cooling unit for our present fridge is $1100.00 US. Most of the residential fridges are quite energy efficient though what the power usage here in high ambient temperature Mexico we have yet to find out.
A lot of the above depends on the age of our fridge. Is it the original? (2002) or was it replaced before we bought it in 2008? We're hoping that we can discover that by the serial number.
Decisions, decisions.
