Adding fan behind refrigerator...worthwhile??

[SJ-Chris]

I have 3 RVs and I seem to be addicted to adding stuff to them....lol.
They each have a standard Dometic 2852 absorption refrigerator. They seem to be working as expected. I did replace the cooling unit on one about 2 years ago and it has been working flawlessly.

My question is this... Under NORMAL OPERATION how hot does it get behind the refrigerator in the cabinet area and venting area out through the roof? And does adding a fan back there do much of anything to help with refrigerator operation (keeping interior of the refrigerator/freezer cool)? I'm not talking about preventing overheating and/or fires...just wondering if it helps the refrigerators perform better.

Something like this with some sort of thermostat such that it's not running all the time:

This particular fan moves ~38CFM at 45dB (might be louder than I'd like, but behind a refrigerator would probably muffle the noise quite a bit). Maybe I could find something quieter...
Here is a nice but simple 12v thermostat that could be programmed to turn the fan "on" when it hits a certain temperature and then turn it "off" once the fan cools it down to some lower value.
https://www.mpja.com/Single-Zone-Intelligent-Thermostat-Temperature-Controller/productinfo/34757+MP/

Let me know what you think. Total waste? Or significant increase in summertime cooling inside your fridge? I sometimes camp or lend out my RVs in 100+ degree summer temps.

Does anyone have any "before and after" data points or personal observations after having added such a fan?

Thanks!
Chris

[RLS7201]

I have a Dometic 2708 in my old Bounder. I find that a small 4" box fan helps when the ambient temperatures get above 85°F........I tie wrapped the fan on the large tubes on the bottom of the unit.
One observation that I've made is the RV manufacturers don't follow the the instillation instructions. There should be NO air flow on the sides and the rear should be with in 3/4" of the wall. I've helped several friends by blocking the sides and baffling the rear.
Fortunately for me, Fleetwood used to get it right.


Richard

[Fisherman]

I'm not in the same temperature zone as you are but without a doubt adding a 4 inch fan at the upper vent made a fair bit of difference. It was a 3 speed fan and I was lucky enough to have 2 unused spade terminals on the back of the fridge made for this, on all but the hottest days I had it on the lowest speed, 90+F days I upped it to med or high as required and wouldn't believe the heat coming out of the vent. It definitely dropped the interior fridge temps and sped up the cooling process by about 1/2 the time. I don't know what the dB rating was but I could barely hear it at night during quiet times. I don't know what the brand name was, just 12DV DC with a 3 speed switch.