Fridge Fan observations

[pianotuna]

Hi,

I've had "chimney" fans for two years. I've not had much improvement in cooling from doing so, except that time to first cycle was reduced by about two hours.

I've added a twin internal fan. Temperature inside the fridge dropped by 5 degrees to 35 f, on setting #5. I'm now able to maintain 40 f on setting #3.

[Sandia_Man]

Our Dometic fridge has always performed well, but I was concerned with temp recovery after frequent door openings by our 4 kids when camping. I installed the interior dual fans several years ago and the results were just what I was looking for. They circulate a significant volume of air which helps restore fridge temp quickly after frequent openings, additionally they keeps fins from icing up.

[pianotuna]

Hi,

Thanks for the report on the ARP unit!

My chimney fans are in a mask at the top and do create quite an updraft. They are thermostatically controlled to cut in at 70 f. They also restrict air flow somewhat in winter time allowing me to heat the outside more easily.

The interior fan, so far as I can tell, reduces the run time on the fridge. i.e. it runs less REDUCING the load on the cooling unit.

So far the maximum temperature I've seen on the ARP v 1.0 is 194 f.

I got it because I am sick to death of worrying about whether I am level enough or not.

I was not amused to have not a single scrap of documentation on the ARP. The other solution I was considering was leveling jacks which would have been a much larger expense.

Once I get the arp unit permanently installed, I may "twiddle" with the chimney fans thermostat and have it cut in at a higher number.

[KJINTF]

PT

I too found the top side fans of little to no help.

During my ARPrvSafe installation I added a 12 volt blower motor NOT the typical computer fan at the bottom powered from a 8Vdc three terminal regulator which reduces the speed and thus the noise.

All I can say is WOW what huge difference the blower has made, propane usage reduction and lower internal temps. Last year picked up one of those USB temp/humidity data loggers and did some extensive testing. The results sure opened my eyes.

Read what ARP suggests regarding fans and location of the blower motors

[ronfisherman]

I have both sets of fans. I ran both of them before having a rebuilt cooling unit installed in April. Setting was always 4 or 5. Now I use setting number 3 with temperatures at 38° and 0° F. Place where I had unit installed did not recommend that I run the fans inside fridge. Their thoughts were that it makes cooling unit work to hard. Not sure that would be the case. But so far I have not used the ones inside fridge. Fans in the roof vent have not been used yet. They have a thermostat that will not turn on fans until 105° F.
I have the ARP 1.1 control unit on Fridge. Highest temperature I have seen on the boiler so far is 372°F.
My original cooling unit died because of a ammonia leak at the boiler tube welds. Seems to be very common problem on the absorption fridges.
My new cooling unit is not a Amish cooling unit. But was done by a Amish company. National RV Refrigeration. You can give Leon a call if you want info on your RV fridge.

[landyacht318]

My internal 40mm fridge fan, on a small compressor fridge, also allows me to use a much lesser setting to maintain much more even and cooler internals.

[Almot]

No surprise with chimney fan. I think when the cabinet is constructed properly, thermal flow takes care of itself. Might be a little different in small rigs and vans though (because it's often not constructed properly there, for lack of space). Looks like your particular class C is not in this latter group.