exterior refrigerator fan

[msue]

Last year when I camped in 100+ weather, my refrigerator really had a hard time keeping the temp below 40degrees. I had a little fan in the frig but it wasn't enough. I was told to put a fan outside in the refrigerator area so it would vent to the roof. I was told to get a computer fan and rig it up. Any other suggestions?

[bigcitypopo]

Here is an interesting link

http://www.modmyrv.com/2008/07/18/rv-refrigerator-cooling-fan

If u click into the forums and search. A ton of great ideas.... 3 or 4" brushless fans are the prime choice... Your can get a serious amount of air thru there... One guy built an enclosure and sealed off the vent forcing fresh air to be drawn thru the lowerfridge vent. If you find the right fans. You can draw 1/3 amp running them all....

[gheicher]

donn0128 wrote:
Computer muffin fans are cheap and reliable. If you have a bit of wiring knowledge it should be a simple choir to wire one up. Finding a small temp switch should be easy also to wire into the circuit.

My concern with the muffin fan is volume. I don't think there would be enough added airflow to be of much help. When its really hot and the outside temps approach the temp of the condenser, you need a lot of air going over the cooling fins to get rid of the heat. Just removing the vent doors will help a little so will shading this side of the camper. My approach is to use the largest fan you can on such days. When running on 120 VAC you can even use a home type fan to blow air onto the condenser.

Now the real solution is to have a compressor type fridge, but they are pricey, make a certain amount of noise, and won't run on propane.

[bigcitypopo]

I bought a snyders rv refrigerator fan kit. wow!!! And I got a small inside fridge fan... Valera makes a 2 d cell jobber. The thing lasts 30 days continuous. My fridge stays at 36-39deg. Easily with the sun beating down on the rv.... Huge difference a little airflow makes.

I also learned the finite adjustment of my domestic fridge...

[ajohn14]

I installed one large 5" computer fan on my side vent fridge. I decided to mount it in the top to draw heat out. I wired in a led switch that lights up in blue when it's on, the switch is mounted on the fridge control panel inside the trailer. I turn it on when I feel the need, It works great and the LED reminds me it is operating. don't forget to keep the area behind the fridge clean and has good air flow. Also make sure there is no "dead air" space above the fridge for hot air to accumulate.

[msue]

I actually have no wiring knowledge and was going to show my son your answers, but I think I will try the LP. It sounds like the easiest.

Thanks for all of your responses.
Suzanne

[old_guy]

I bought a solar fan from CW and it didn't even last one summer. I sent it back and made up my own fan using the 12v in the back of the frig and made up an on/off switch. worked for me

[pianotuna]

Hi,

The solar fan idea is nice--but several folks have found they fail after about a year.

[RandK-M]

I've never had an issue keeping mi fridge cold, but I wonder how something like this would work. Or if it would be worth it.

http://www.amazon.com/Refrigerator-Powered-Motorhome-Durable-Included/dp/B006O16V3Y

Ray

[YC_1]

My refer has side vents and came with two fans. I added two more fans at the bottom and that helps quite a bit and give me a backup of the two existing ones. There is 12 volts in the back on most refers. The fans draw very little current. Shade really helps too. In the direct sun at 100+ degrees it works very hard. I may try draping some breathable material over the area. With the dark paint you cannot put your hand on the side. It gets to 170 degrees easily.

[Chuck_S]

Try running your refrigerator in LP mode in very hot weather. You probably don't need the extra complexity of a 12v fan.

These are, after all, LP refrigerators with secondary, less efficient electrical heaters. Electric is usually good enough but in hot weather you may need the extra cooling the extra heat LP provides. 25% more cooling is not uncommon. Compare the power used in either mode.

My Dometic has a power use of 324 watts on 120v and 439 watts on LP. The electric is only 74% of the LP's heat (assuming perfect efficiency).



Your refrigerator will run a month on one cylinder of LP so no worries there.

-- Chuck

[NHIrish]

Use these thermistor fans...built in thermistor so fan is temperature controlled. Best way to wire is direct to battery 12 volt.

htsSilenX Effizio Thermistor EFX-12-15T 120mm Case Fan

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835226045&nm_mc=KNC-GoogleAdwords&cm_mmc=KNC-GoogleAdwords-_-pla-_-Case+Fans-_-N82E16835226045&gclid=CJi6z-_Q_LYCFQNlMgod8H8AqQ

[donn0128]

Computer muffin fans are cheap and reliable. If you have a bit of wiring knowledge it should be a simple choir to wire one up. Finding a small temp switch should be easy also to wire into the circuit.

[rreynold51]

Seems like I saw one that was solar powered some where...always thought that might work better. Would run during the day with the sun and pull the heat out off the fridge vent area outside....keep the air moving...

[pianotuna]

Hi Msue,

I'd get two and make a mask so they will draw air up the chimney. It is nice to add a thermostat, too.