Refrigerator Fan Noise
We have a newer Dometic series RM1350 4-door refrigerator/freezer in our RV that makes really loud noise when the fan kicks in. We've owned several RVs but have never experienced this noise before. ...
Forum Discussion
"hey we are getting complaints that the fridges are not cold enough"
"What do we do?"
"we get the cheapest fans we can find in bulk and wire them up to suck out extra heat, then tout our proficiency in all things RV, and add 100$ to the price tag"
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Lots of computer fans exist, and the range in quality and engineering is as widespread as a Yugo to a Bugatti.
The Yugo has shapeless angled vanes and a sleeve bearing and will protest at turning when horizontal and quickly wear out and buzz like a chainsaw.
The Bugatti has precisely foiled angled scythes for blades, a fluid hydrodynamic bearing and consumes 1/3 the electricity and moves twice the air for 1/10 the noise.
The difference, the Yugo costs 3$, the Bugatti, 20$.
There are literally hundreds of options available. Don't just go to Radio shack and say you need a 12v computer fan. What they will offer you is an overpriced version of what is already making too much noise for you.
Try the Silverstone FM121. It has a potentiometer you can use to dial back the speed to inaudible, or crank it up to aid in initial cool down.
If you want one with more bells and Whistles in the Mid range speed CFM category, Noctua NF-f12. 6 year warranty. It consumes only 0.05 amps!
They recently started offering an Industrial version of this fan which moves a bit more air, and has a dust and moisture resistant electronics.
In my experience, Dirty fan blades are actually quieter, as they are heavier, offer more resistance, and cannot spin as fast.
"What do we do?"
"we get the cheapest fans we can find in bulk and wire them up to suck out extra heat, then tout our proficiency in all things RV, and add 100$ to the price tag"
-------
Lots of computer fans exist, and the range in quality and engineering is as widespread as a Yugo to a Bugatti.
The Yugo has shapeless angled vanes and a sleeve bearing and will protest at turning when horizontal and quickly wear out and buzz like a chainsaw.
The Bugatti has precisely foiled angled scythes for blades, a fluid hydrodynamic bearing and consumes 1/3 the electricity and moves twice the air for 1/10 the noise.
The difference, the Yugo costs 3$, the Bugatti, 20$.
There are literally hundreds of options available. Don't just go to Radio shack and say you need a 12v computer fan. What they will offer you is an overpriced version of what is already making too much noise for you.
Try the Silverstone FM121. It has a potentiometer you can use to dial back the speed to inaudible, or crank it up to aid in initial cool down.
If you want one with more bells and Whistles in the Mid range speed CFM category, Noctua NF-f12. 6 year warranty. It consumes only 0.05 amps!
They recently started offering an Industrial version of this fan which moves a bit more air, and has a dust and moisture resistant electronics.
In my experience, Dirty fan blades are actually quieter, as they are heavier, offer more resistance, and cannot spin as fast.
