Hi all Thanks for all the information that was forth coming on this subject. I have fitted 2 * 120mm fans at the top vent and and 1 *120mm at the bottom vent all are controlled via a thermostat which is fitted on the fins at the back of fridge or can be manually controlled. Have filled in every space between fridge and its cabinet with insulation. The van is parked in a metal garage, when the fridge was started on gas in side of fridge was 35 degrees in 3 hours had dropped to 10 degrees and held steady at that temp with fridge thermostat set at three. I am very happy with results. My next question is if you put a fan inside of fridge to move the air around, how do you get the wires in to fridge compartment? Any answers would be appreciated. Al
My next question is if you put a fan inside of fridge to move the air around, how do you get the wires in to fridge compartment? Any answers would be appreciated. Al
There is a drain trough under the fins inside the cabinet, at the lower end of this there is a drain tube passing out of the cabinet to the rear of the fridge. As the fan required is only about 30mm (from memory) only a thin wire is needed and this will thread through that tube easily.
Cheers Neil
<edit> I have glued a small on off switch to the fan so I can turn it off when not in use.
-- Edited by Delta18 on Monday 25th of January 2010 05:31:10 PM
Thanks for posting the update, Al. That sounds like a good result. As a matter of interest what did you use for insulation?? Also would be interested to know the details of the thermostat.
re the cabinet fan I would think a quite small one would be best as you only want to move the air around not "blow the skin off a custard". As current and voltage drop would not be an issue you can "get away with" quite light wiring, perhaps very small "figure 8". That's the flat stuff that looks like a figure 8 when viewed in cross section. You're probably aware of all this but I put it in for the benefit of others reading this thread.
PS: I was typing my post while Delta did his so that explains any repetition,
Jim
-- Edited by jimricho on Monday 25th of January 2010 05:41:10 PM
if it did as stated "started on gas in side of fridge was 35 degrees in 3 hours had dropped to 10 degrees and held steady at that temp" - how is this a fridge?
Have I missed something, or are you saying the temp will get better ie <5degree
At 10 degree you may be able to store red wine in there, - ah now I have Ibbo's attention.
if it did as stated "started on gas in side of fridge was 35 degrees in 3 hours had dropped to 10 degrees and held steady at that temp" - how is this a fridge?
Have I missed something, or are you saying the temp will get better ie <5degree
At 10 degree you may be able to store red wine in there, - ah now I have Ibbo's attention.
If it doesn't get, and hold a max of 5 deg then it is only an esky.
Three way fridges are not noted for their efficiency, after all to make something cold you have to heat it up to start with! I run mine for at least a couple of days before getting on the road. I have a "Bushman" fridge in the car as well to store the critical stuff. Most "GN forumites" would be aware that meat etc has to be stored below 5 degrees.
yep I find it normally takes about 12 to 24 hours to get to a "usable" temp, I put ours on 240 for a couple of days before a trip but I am guilty of not placing a thermometer in there to find the true temp, I dont trust my fridge with meat when the temps get above 32 I put the meat in the engel and I only use the 3 way as a backup
hence my interest in fans and the ability to cool the fridge down further
This drinking red wine at room temperature is a fallacy in the north. I prefer my red wine off the boil thanks, so I refrigerate it. Not just "chilled", but cold. It's more refreshing and the flavour sneaks out instead of hitting the taste buds and "palate" at top speed. Savour the flavour. Yum!
__________________
20ft Roma caravan - Mercedes Benz Sprinter - SA-based at the moment. Transport has no borders.
Management makes the decisions, but is not affected by the decisions it makes.
Slow down Granny, just out of hospital and into the red wine!!!
What some folk do not realise is, red is supposed to be drunk at room temp, but in the tropics that can be 35 odd degree.
When I owed a liquor store I put the reds in the fridge, like I normally do in the north. Whoa what a mistake, the customers complained. When I explained that room temp is basically 24 degree and that it is stored at the vineyard cellers at 12 degree (dark), they started to come round by not enough.
So, bottom line, in the north buy it young(er), as it will have matured fast in the heat and the amount of sun light.
Yesterday my 3way's cabinet temperature rose to 7 degrees in an ambient temp of 33 degrees with the exhaust fan off (240v, thermo set to 3 1/2 ). I switched the fan on and checked an hour and a half later and the temp had dropped to 3.8 degrees. The fan is a single 120mm cable tied to the top vent. Ambient temp and thermo setting were unchanged and the fridge was not opened at any time and the temp of the contents had stabilised.
The exhaust fan is not hooked up via a thermostat, just a simple "manually operated" switch. I have found that it's best to anticipate a hot day and switch the fan on early. I can switch it to operate off the tug's 12v system when on the road.
Obviously a compressor type fridge is a better option if 240v/12v (including solar) always available and noise level inside the van is not an issue.
-- Edited by jimricho on Wednesday 27th of January 2010 07:01:06 AM
