The compressor on our Dometic RPD190 seems to be running a bit more than usual. Everything is still cold etc but Ive noticed the compresort running more. Its been suggested that it could be dust that has gotten through the vents that maybe causing this. Two questions. Is dust likely to cause this and how hard is it to remove the vents and clean inside?
Whenarewethere said
05:38 AM Sep 25, 2022
Yes, dust is an issue as it ends up like a blanket on the condenser.
I pull my 28L fridge apart to blow out the dust with air compressor after each trip.
Only a week ago I ran a 40 metre air line from our car's triple 1.2kW compressor setup to blow the dust out of our computers & FujiXerox printer, a blanket of dust was over heatsinks etc, frightening stuff.
I installed an industrial 120mm fan in our fridge replacing the original 92mm standard fan. Also an air filter which reduces the amount of dust build up on the condenser, but I still clean inside the fridge after each trip.
Cleaning the back of the fridge is a regular task which you need to do like a spring clean at the very least.
Compressor air gun & a vacuum work really well as a team.
I have that fridge and HATE it, HATE it with a passion. anything over 38degrees and the fridge runs 24/7 with freezer struggling to stay minus.
Whenarewethere said
09:07 PM Oct 11, 2022
A single stage compressor fridge will only get about 46°C below ambient.
If you need colder you need a 2 stage compressor fridge.
A better fan on the condenser will help. Good air flow for cooler air intake through the compressor.
Sun on that side of the caravan could easily push up temperature another 10°C so look at doing the insulation properly. It's more than likely rubbish in most caravans.
Do a custom water cooling mod on a section of the condenser pipe to remove more heat. I like improving off the shelf products!
Mike Harding said
08:22 AM Oct 12, 2022
Whenarewethere wrote:
A single stage compressor fridge will only get about 46°C below ambient.
You sure?
Domestic freezers are normally designed to run at -18C so if your statement is correct they will be falling off from 28C up which is the temp, and more, much of Oz sees for much of the year.
Whenarewethere said
03:10 PM Oct 12, 2022
There is diminishing efficiency. Depending on the level of cooling one is after, there comes a point where 2 stage compression is more economical.
If you are within the systems limitations, then making that efficient will work well.
A fridge in the car in summer at +60°C & a dehydrated child left in in carpark. Both fridge contents & child will become spiritual!
On The Move said
05:15 PM Oct 19, 2022
Check your condenser isn't blocked
Thats the little radiator at the back of the fridge.
Dust and fluff can block the fins and the fan can't pull the air through , stops the condenser from doing its job.
Whenarewethere said
06:32 PM Oct 19, 2022
On The Move wrote:
Check your condenser isn't blocked Thats the little radiator at the back of the fridge. Dust and fluff can block the fins and the fan can't pull the air through , stops the condenser from doing its job.
Agree.
Apart from on condenser fins. Dust always builds up on the back side of fans whether on the condenser/heatsink or as a separate fan. This one is 1 of 8 fans in one of my computers. Embarrassing stuff!
woofta and precious said
10:15 PM Oct 20, 2022
Whenarewethere wrote:
On The Move wrote:
Check your condenser isn't blocked Thats the little radiator at the back of the fridge. Dust and fluff can block the fins and the fan can't pull the air through , stops the condenser from doing its job.
Agree.
Apart from on condenser fins. Dust always builds up on the back side of fans whether on the condenser/heatsink or as a separate fan. This one is 1 of 8 fans in one of my computers. Embarrassing stuff!
You have 8 fans in your computer?
woofta and precious said
10:17 PM Oct 20, 2022
Whenarewethere wrote:
On The Move wrote:
Check your condenser isn't blocked Thats the little radiator at the back of the fridge. Dust and fluff can block the fins and the fan can't pull the air through , stops the condenser from doing its job.
Agree.
Apart from on condenser fins. Dust always builds up on the back side of fans whether on the condenser/heatsink or as a separate fan. This one is 1 of 8 fans in one of my computers. Embarrass
-- Edited by woofta and precious on Thursday 20th of October 2022 10:57:50 PM
I packed insulation batts held in with sisal so i could slide / push fridge in. Saved about 30% in power usage by doing that.
After 15 years the compressor stopped pumping altogether so replaced with a 190l EvaKool fridge. A whole different quality of fridge for an extra $300.
Neil
woofta and precious said
11:57 AM Oct 22, 2022
Wow, I thought 8 was 4 too many!
Surely some would be counter productive?
Whenarewethere said
12:29 PM Oct 22, 2022
When working in a bedroom with half a dozen computers render 3d images 24/7 for weeks on end in summer & opening windows doesn't really help even with a large fan through the window & air conditioning doesn't make a lot of difference.
The computers didn't over heat in an ambient temperature of about 40°C. My 3.0kVA UPS was showing about 2500 watts being used. Heat added to the room.
The other issue is noise having a lot of fans running a bit slower is a lot quieter than high speed fans.
No different to a fridge in a car or caravan. High ambient temperature, sun hitting windows & walls, even hotter inside & one wonders why the fridge is struggling.
Nothing one can do about ambient temperature, but creating shade, well designed ventilation, better insulation, clean condenser & some decent fans, will all help the fridge stay a bit cooler.
Another option is water cooling. Can be done a number of ways, but it needs to be practical.
The compressor on our Dometic RPD190 seems to be running a bit more than usual. Everything is still cold etc but Ive noticed the compresort running more. Its been suggested that it could be dust that has gotten through the vents that maybe causing this. Two questions. Is dust likely to cause this and how hard is it to remove the vents and clean inside?
Yes, dust is an issue as it ends up like a blanket on the condenser.
I pull my 28L fridge apart to blow out the dust with air compressor after each trip.
Only a week ago I ran a 40 metre air line from our car's triple 1.2kW compressor setup to blow the dust out of our computers & FujiXerox printer, a blanket of dust was over heatsinks etc, frightening stuff.
I installed an industrial 120mm fan in our fridge replacing the original 92mm standard fan. Also an air filter which reduces the amount of dust build up on the condenser, but I still clean inside the fridge after each trip.
Cleaning the back of the fridge is a regular task which you need to do like a spring clean at the very least.
Compressor air gun & a vacuum work really well as a team.
A single stage compressor fridge will only get about 46°C below ambient.
If you need colder you need a 2 stage compressor fridge.
A better fan on the condenser will help. Good air flow for cooler air intake through the compressor.
Sun on that side of the caravan could easily push up temperature another 10°C so look at doing the insulation properly. It's more than likely rubbish in most caravans.
Do a custom water cooling mod on a section of the condenser pipe to remove more heat. I like improving off the shelf products!
You sure?
Domestic freezers are normally designed to run at -18C so if your statement is correct they will be falling off from 28C up which is the temp, and more, much of Oz sees for much of the year.
There is diminishing efficiency. Depending on the level of cooling one is after, there comes a point where 2 stage compression is more economical.
If you are within the systems limitations, then making that efficient will work well.
A fridge in the car in summer at +60°C & a dehydrated child left in in carpark. Both fridge contents & child will become spiritual!
Thats the little radiator at the back of the fridge.
Dust and fluff can block the fins and the fan can't pull the air through , stops the condenser from doing its job.
Agree.
Apart from on condenser fins. Dust always builds up on the back side of fans whether on the condenser/heatsink or as a separate fan. This one is 1 of 8 fans in one of my computers. Embarrassing stuff!
You have 8 fans in your computer?
-- Edited by woofta and precious on Thursday 20th of October 2022 10:57:50 PM
I made a mistake, all up there is 11 fans.
I packed insulation batts held in with sisal so i could slide / push fridge in. Saved about 30% in power usage by doing that.
After 15 years the compressor stopped pumping altogether so replaced with a 190l EvaKool fridge. A whole different quality of fridge for an extra $300.
Neil
Wow, I thought 8 was 4 too many!
Surely some would be counter productive?
When working in a bedroom with half a dozen computers render 3d images 24/7 for weeks on end in summer & opening windows doesn't really help even with a large fan through the window & air conditioning doesn't make a lot of difference.
The computers didn't over heat in an ambient temperature of about 40°C. My 3.0kVA UPS was showing about 2500 watts being used. Heat added to the room.
The other issue is noise having a lot of fans running a bit slower is a lot quieter than high speed fans.
No different to a fridge in a car or caravan. High ambient temperature, sun hitting windows & walls, even hotter inside & one wonders why the fridge is struggling.
Nothing one can do about ambient temperature, but creating shade, well designed ventilation, better insulation, clean condenser & some decent fans, will all help the fridge stay a bit cooler.
Another option is water cooling. Can be done a number of ways, but it needs to be practical.