Has anyone had experience fitting computer type cooling fan behind fridge to help cooling in hot weather.I would like to hear from anyone who has tried this ,also how to do this mod.
oldtrack123 said
11:14 PM Jan 10, 2013
Hi Mike There are many different ways depending on the current set up ,AND how keen you are But for a start I will give an outline of what needs to be done
[1]the whole purpose is to get the refigerent as coolas possible when it enters the evaporator THAT is accomplished by ensuring as much as possible cooling air goes through the condenser fins [Not by pass the fins due to wide gap betwen fins & side of van ] A horizontal baffle from the side of the van to not quite touch the top edge of the condensor fins is required A verticle baffle seperating the boiler section[ with all that heat ] from the air going through the condendor is also well worth while We do not want to cool the boiler
Just make sure you have not blocked of air intake for the burner, or burnt gas exhaust vent heat
The location of the actual fans will be more a question of ease of fixing I prefer to blow directly onto the condenser fins,With the Fans only forcing air up through the CONDENSOR FINS I prefer a 50C thermostat part #ST 3831 from Jaycar mounted about half way along the TOP of the condenser fins The thermost will only operate the fans when needed ,on all sources you can connect the wiring to the fridge 12V supply lines[ a longer life will be achieved with the thermost contacts if you use it to contol a 12v relay such as Jaycar#SY4042 & then that one to switch the actual fans nected
[2]you also need to ensure there are no dead spaces where hot air can get trapped ANY gaps on the sides or top of fridge should be packed with insulation or at least sealed. [3] If a large hot air pocket exists above the fridge try using a curved baffle to limit the space fron the top of the fridge to the top of the top vent [ no dead space above the vent]
[3] If the vents in the side are full length , some of the middle section should be blanked so there is no openings above the fans up to the horizontal baffle Have a look at what you can do with your set up & come back if any problems
Peter
Dougwe said
01:16 AM Jan 11, 2013
I have a computer fan on the inside of the top outside fridge vent hooked up to 12V system to extract hot air out so the fridge doesn't work too hard on hot days. I have a switch inside the Avan with little red light, I can manually turn on or off. Works well.
Dougwe said
01:17 AM Jan 11, 2013
Sorry Mike, I just noticed you are a newbie so welcome from me, enjoy here and out in the playground.
justcruisin01 said
03:33 AM Jan 11, 2013
Mikedozer wrote:
Has anyone had experience fitting computer type cooling fan behind fridge to help cooling in hot weather.I would like to hear from anyone who has tried this ,also how to do this mod.
In this techies section go to page 3 & read fitting 12volt fans to fridges, then go to page 2 & read results of fridge insulation. This will help you.
JC.
blaze said
04:26 AM Jan 11, 2013
i reckon i win got 5 fans but only get down to 9 degrees with average temps off plus 30 wit high humidity it does help cheers blaze
justcruisin01 said
07:36 AM Jan 11, 2013
blaze wrote:
i reckon i win got 5 fans but only get down to 9 degrees with average temps off plus 30 wit high humidity it does help cheers blaze
did you get the test results that I sent you? re- insulation.
JC.
Mikedozer said
11:20 PM Jan 12, 2013
Thanks so much for all sugestions folks .I will get onto this when we get home again next week. Mike,not quite a nomad yet.
blaze said
07:00 PM Jan 21, 2013
justcruisin01 wrote:
blaze wrote:
i reckon i win got 5 fans but only get down to 9 degrees with average temps off plus 30 wit high humidity it does help cheers blaze
did you get the test results that I sent you? re- insulation.
Hi Mike
There are many different ways depending on the current set up ,AND how keen you are
But for a start I will give an outline of what needs to be done
[1]the whole purpose is to get the refigerent as coolas possible when it enters the evaporator
THAT is accomplished by ensuring as much as possible cooling air goes through the condenser fins
[Not by pass the fins due to wide gap betwen fins & side of van ]
A horizontal baffle from the side of the van to not quite touch the top edge of the condensor fins is required
A verticle baffle seperating the boiler section[ with all that heat ] from the air going through the condendor is also well worth while
We do not want to cool the boiler
Just make sure you have not blocked of air intake for the burner, or burnt gas exhaust vent heat
The location of the actual fans will be more a question of ease of fixing
I prefer to blow directly onto the condenser fins,With the Fans only forcing air up through the CONDENSOR FINS
I prefer a 50C thermostat part #ST 3831 from Jaycar mounted about half way along the TOP of the condenser fins
The thermost will only operate the fans when needed ,on all sources
you can connect the wiring to the fridge 12V supply lines[ a longer life will be achieved with the thermost contacts if you use it to contol a 12v relay such as Jaycar#SY4042 & then that one to switch the actual fans
nected
[2]you also need to ensure there are no dead spaces where hot air can get trapped
ANY gaps on the sides or top of fridge should be packed with insulation or at least sealed.
[3] If a large hot air pocket exists above the fridge try using a curved baffle to limit the space fron the top of the fridge to the top of the top vent [ no dead space above the vent]
[3] If the vents in the side are full length , some of the middle section should be blanked so there is no openings above the fans up to the horizontal baffle
Have a look at what you can do with your set up & come back if any problems
Peter
I have a computer fan on the inside of the top outside fridge vent hooked up to 12V system to extract hot air out so the fridge doesn't work too hard on hot days. I have a switch inside the Avan with little red light, I can manually turn on or off. Works well.
In this techies section go to page 3 & read fitting 12volt fans to fridges, then go to page 2 & read results of fridge insulation. This will help you.
JC.
got 5 fans
but only get down to 9 degrees with average temps off plus 30 wit high humidity
it does help
cheers
blaze
did you get the test results that I sent you? re- insulation.
JC.
thanks jc