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New Refrigerator cooling fan.

Dr_Quick
Explorer II
Explorer II
Recently purchased a 2015 trailer and the refrigerator has a automatic cooling fan for the coils in back. It comes on automatically when the outside temp goes up, and it runs on 12 volts.
My question is if you are dry camping in hot weather, how long can your battery exist with the fan running most of the day?
Wondering what others have experienced?
Can fan be disconnected when dry camping? Will Refrigerator still cool property if you do this?

Thank you for your help. :h
Dr Quick
8 REPLIES 8

Calicajun
Explorer
Explorer
Chris Bryant wrote:
It all depends on the model and installation- a standard top freezer model installed normally with lower side vent and roof exhaust vent doesn't require fans, they just help.
Any model installed with 2 side vents (like in a slideout), or a side by side or 4 door model requires the fans.


Thanks for the links. That is just what I have been thinking about putting on my frig. Price has gone up since the early 90s, as they used to sell for $20.00. ๐Ÿ˜ž
2014 Heartland Wildness 2775RB, 2015 Ram 2500 4x4 Mega Cab

sushidog
Explorer
Explorer
My Aliner LXE came with a stock Dometic fridge fan. It is called a Dometic power ventilator assembly (pn. 3108705.751). Though it does a great job of increasing the efficiency of the fridge, I found the noise it made when running would sometimes wake me when it cycled in the middle of the night.

The solution I came up with was to replace the noisy (45db) 3,000 RPM 88cfm plain bearing stock fan with 2, 23db artic cooling units. My first set of fans were single speed Arctic Cool, high-tech, fluid-dynamic bearing fans. They are the quietest available, but they weren't cheap. They were rated at only 23dBA @ 56cfm. The bearings had a MTBF of 400,000 hours (20 times that of a standard fan), however their rubber mounts decomposed and failed after a couple years of use due to heat and exposure.

I then bought two, low noise Antec Tricool fans to replace them. They are each rated at 30dBA @ 79cfm on high, 28dBA @ 56cfm on medium (where I usually set mine) and 25dBA @ 39cfm on low. They were cheap - only $6.95 each from coolerguys.com.

Using 2 fans also spreads the airflow across the entire length of the upper cooling coil, not just across the center of it like a single fan does. In short, they are more durable, they cool better, draw slightly less current, and are much quieter. If we listen closely we can barely hear them run on medium and can't hear them at all on low.

I also purchased an electronic thermometer with a sending unit, so I can monitor the interior fridge temp inside my TV and while camping without even opening the door and allowing warm air to enter. I got one similar to this: http://www.walmart.com/ip/Acurite-Wireless...ometer/16888921

It was about $11 at my local Walmart and provides cheap peace of mind that those juicy steaks and sweet lobster tails will be fresh and safe when I arrive at the CG.

Chip
1999 National Tropical
Triton V10, Ford F53 Chassis

Chris_Bryant
Explorer II
Explorer II
It all depends on the model and installation- a standard top freezer model installed normally with lower side vent and roof exhaust vent doesn't require fans, they just help.
Any model installed with 2 side vents (like in a slideout), or a side by side or 4 door model requires the fans.
-- Chris Bryant

opnspaces
Navigator II
Navigator II
Solar powered vent fans.
Link

panel and fan only
.
2001 Suburban 4x4. 6.0L, 4.10 3/4 ton **** 2005 Jayco Jay Flight 27BH **** 1986 Coleman Columbia Popup

Old-Biscuit
Explorer III
Explorer III
Fan(s) are thermostat controlled (on far right fin of condenser coil at top of fridge). Fans turn on at 130*F fin temp and turn off at 115*F fin temp.

Without them running.........fridge temps will climb until food section is too high temp for proper food storage.

Roughly 0.3A draw per fan
Is it time for your medication or mine?


2007 DODGE 3500 QC SRW 5.9L CTD In-Bed 'quiet gen'
2007 HitchHiker II 32.5 UKTG 2000W Xantex Inverter
US NAVY------USS Decatur DDG31

Dakota98
Explorer
Explorer
That fan does not draw many amps. If you dry camp for any length of time you'll need a method of charging the batteries anyway. If you don't already have one, get a generator or install some solar, or even an extra battery, as back-up.
I'm an expert in only one field....I believe it's somewhere in Kansas.

2000 / 22' SKYLINE NOMAD LITE
1998 DODGE DAKOTA / 5.2L= 8mpg.
2006 POLARIS ATV
1500/1200 Watt Champion generator
Yada Wireless Back Up Camera
1998 Dyna Wide Glide
USMC 68-74

Calicajun
Explorer
Explorer
They used to sell a solar/battery refrigerator fan, not sure if it is still on the market. You could add the solar/battery refrigerator fan and disconnect the existing fan while dry camping.
2014 Heartland Wildness 2775RB, 2015 Ram 2500 4x4 Mega Cab

Ivylog
Explorer III
Explorer III
What unit do you have? No it's not going to cool properly without it/them running. Most of the fans are computer cooling fans so they do not draw much current.
This post is my opinion (free advice). It is not intended to influence anyone's judgment nor do I advocate anyone do what I propose.
Sold 04 Dynasty to our son after 14 great years.
Upgraded with a 08 HR Navigator 45โ€™...