Installing Cooling Fan on Refer Coils

[Motorhead]

I am thinking of installing a small . 15amp computer power supply cooling fan in the back of the refer unit to circulate air on the coils. It is supposed to help them to not work as hard, especially it hot weather. I plan to put it on a switch. The question, Where is the best place to mount it? On the top of the coils or the bottom? I can get to it easily at the bottom and face it up to blow toward the vent on the roof. I have seen these set-ups at RV supply stores for about $50. I already have the fan (salvaged from a comp. power supply) Any refrigeration experts out there or any input? Chris

 

[B.G. Smith]

Reefer fan

The units are rigged so they have a natural air flow across the cooling coils, as the air is heated it rises and goes out the top while cooler air comes in at the bottom. I think you would get the best results if the fan was at the top but it would be hard to mount up there. It should give you some cooling benefit if you mount it at the bottom blowing air in/upward. bg

 

[Jammar9082]

There has been an interesting thread on this subject on the RV Corners web site. Maybe there will be information that would help you.



http://boards.eesite.com/board.cgi?boardset=RVForum&boardid=Maint&thread=34&spec=4492815



The above address is incomplete and I have tried to edit it three times but the server won't take it.



It is the RV Corner with Less Doll. Maybe a search will bring up the web site.

 

[RustyJC]

The Norcold fridge in our 5ver is in a slideout. This means there is no vent on the roof for the fridge. Instead, there are two (2) vents on the slideout exterior wall - a low vent for ambient air intake and a high vent for hot air exhaust. To induce a draft across the coils, there is a fan mounted at the top of the hot air space. Works fine.



Rusty

 

[KENNY]

cooling fans

I have an alpha 35 footer with galley slide out. We camp in very hot location (desert) anyway we noticed that the fridge didn't work very well and the cabinets above and next to the fridge were very hot (100+). I installed an alum. deflector and 4 of the 4" fans that have a rating of 100cfpm at the top of the unit. Now the fridge works the way it should and the cabinets have cooled down a great deal, this also took some of the load of the ac.

 

[Motorhead]

Thanks Guys!, Its kind of funny how us "Mechanical Geniuses" are always trying to make things work better! Is it genetic or what? Chris

 

[Jack in Alaska]

Motorhead,



I did just as you described about 10 yrs. ago. Mounted a small fan (from an elect. panel) , mounted it at the bottom blowing upward. It did just fine and is still doing fine to the new owner. I screwed it to the wood frame under the refer access panel and put a short piece of small rubber hose under each screw to kill any vibration. I will do the same in my new 5th. whl when I get it.

Happy camping... ... ... ... . Jack

 

[LarryB]

CampingWorld, $26. 99, thermostat controlled!

Description

Prevent heat build-up in tight RV refrigerator enclosures. Pulls cool air in through vent door, blows it up past the evaporation coils and then out the top vent. Thermo-switch turns unit on automatically when temperature reaches 110oF and shuts off at 90oF. Easily installed through access door of fridge compartment. Perfect for units with side-vent exhaust. Includes 12 ft. of wiring and metal brackets. USA.



http://www.campingworld.com/browse/skus/index.cfm?deptID=4&subOf=41,25&skunum=1459





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[Motorhead]

Larry, is the motor on the one that you pictured a low draw(amps)? The one that I was going to use only drew . 15 amp. Thanks for the picture and the lead! Chris

 

[LarryB]

Arrg! Sorry, I threw the package away and it does'nt say on the motor. I remember reading the draw on the package and I felt it was insignificant. If its over 105f outside then I figure my solar panel is probably working pretty good anyway.