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Old 06-03-2016, 01:51 PM   #21
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My replacement fan is so quite that the only way I can tell it is on is to go outside and look.
Side note, while in the Keys a while ago I used a couple of wooden pencils to prop my doors open. Seemed to help a bit.
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Old 06-03-2016, 02:14 PM   #22
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We use a quiet fan or prop open the hatch, no problem. They could have put a roof vent in, but then we would not have our convection/microwave that is mounted conveniently over the fridge. She likes the appliances.
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Old 06-03-2016, 05:52 PM   #23
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Originally Posted by John&Vicki View Post
Can someone explain why the refrigerator in my 1990 trailer does not have a fan. Different cooling technology? And if I wanted to add one for improved cooling in hot weather how is the best way to mount it?

Thanks,
John

John the simple answer is anyway you can. These are so light not much is needed to attach. The issue is more of dampening any vibration.

Both AWCHIEF and Silvergate have posted doe good images on this thread.

In my first post I included this link. go to 711...get some simple alu channel and use the rubber screws (if you go with Silinex) that come with the fan kit.

If this is a retrofit vs a swap you need to get 12v there somehow. I would also order a thermostat from your dealer or JC or ?? and also a simple toggle switch, both of which are wired into the loop. That way you can override it of or let it be automatically.

SilverGate's #11 and AWCHIEF's #21 posts shows the switch. If my memory serves me and that has been failing me as of late it seems dkottum wired in his thermostat in the same location. Mine is screwed to the cooling fins and out 2014 came with an on/of switch in the cabin. I'm sure anywhere in the upper compartment would work.

p.s. the image is my old fan. The new one is hanging in the same bracket.

p.s.s AWCHIEF's link is a very long but great link as it shows a lot of solutions for a lot if different models

Good luck.

Bob
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Old 06-03-2016, 06:19 PM   #24
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Can someone explain why the refrigerator in my 1990 trailer does not have a fan. Different cooling technology? And if I wanted to add one for improved cooling in hot weather how is the best way to mount it?

Thanks,
John
Your 1990 fridge may have its own flue going up through the roof to exhaust the hot air out through a roof vent cap which is designed to perform at all times, even underway. Our 1985 25' AS had such a flue and it worked great.

If you have this kind of traditional flue, adding a fan may not be that easy or advisable IMO.

Look inside the fridge compartment from the outside. Do you see an opening in the top where a metal flue goes up, and do you have a contoured roof cap covering the flue opening up there?

I guess AS gave up on this natural convection system to gain space inside later trailers, and to save money?

Shame IMO -- it worked perfectly, silently, had no moving parts, did not require electricity or maintenance, etc. etc..

"It wasn't broken so why fix it?"







PS -- Like this:

http://airstreamsupply.com/Vents-and...product_id=532
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Old 06-03-2016, 06:23 PM   #25
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Thanks for the input Dan, Bob and Otra. Are you blowing the hot air out or the cool air in? I imagine out, same principle as a flue.

John
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Old 06-03-2016, 06:48 PM   #26
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Mainly hot air out IMO.

John, when you have a chance to check out if you have a roof vent for a flue, I would appreciate knowing.

Thanks,

Peter
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Old 06-03-2016, 08:05 PM   #27
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Peter...

Yes, I have a flue. The only time the fridge struggled a bit was in Arizona three years ago on a 90+ day with the sun shining on the street side. It was running on AC - it's only recently that I learned it's more efficient running on gas.

I've always been puzzled about the refrigerator fan noise complaints. I have a friend who just bought a new AS and that's one of his complaints. I always wondered if mine was missing one that should have been there.

Informative discussion, thanks everyone. A fan in the refrigerator department is now on my todo list. I imagine any inexpensive computer fan will do?

Cheers,
John
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Old 06-03-2016, 11:07 PM   #28
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Thanks on the flue ID.

I would be careful adding a fan to a compartment which was designed not to have one. In particular you don't want to change/compromise the combustion of the propane at the bottom of the ammonia evaporation system.

On a day as hot as 90, with the sun hitting the fridge side of the trailer, it may just be that our mobile refrigerators are going to have to struggle, by design if you will, at least by the limits of our designs. Especially using the 120 AC line voltage instead of propane.

I am also guessing that the insulation technology back in 1990 might have been more rudimentary, in terms of keeping the cold inside the fridge separated from the heat in the mechanical space, and perhaps in the trailer as well? What was the air temp. inside the trailer on the days in question, or was the A/C able to keep the interior temp down?

In terms of the old adage, your fridge may not even be "broke" IMO, and thus not in need of a "fix."

Good luck!

Peter
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Old 06-04-2016, 09:48 AM   #29
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Peter...

Interesting point about a fan in a flue-based installation may introduce conflicting technologies. Maybe I should simply shade the refrigerator area when there is direct sunlight.

I can't remember the inside temperature of the trailer during the hot spell in Arizona. But the AC was on and it was comfortable.

John
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Old 06-04-2016, 11:33 AM   #30
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Shade is good, is your fridge on the street side? Our old one was in the 25' and I always wanted to get an awning on that side. Hoping to get one on the new FC20 and on the rear too, at some point.
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Old 06-04-2016, 11:59 AM   #31
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Yes, my fridge is on the street side. I do have an awning on that side which does help a bit, although it doesn't extend as far as the curbside awning.
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Old 06-05-2016, 05:00 AM   #32
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Yes, my fridge is on the street side. I do have an awning on that side which does help a bit, although it doesn't extend as far as the curbside awning.
Then your set up is "as good as it gets" for really hot weather camping IMO. The potential benefits of adding a cooling fan balance out with the risks and costs, again in my opinion.

If it ain't broke don't fix it . . .

Wish we had the old flue set up -- really a no-brainer . . .

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Old 08-19-2016, 08:06 PM   #33
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Bill, nice blog on the other post re refer cooling thread. I'll have to spend some time there.

So as to not hijack that other thread like I'm going to on this one...but since both you and OTRA15 opened the door and both mentioned Blacks Beach (less is more) and since a minor hijack is only a misdemeanor here ya go.

I had to dig for a bit to find all the Homegrown albums and this was my final selection. The first still eludes me.



Note the liner notes were written by none other than Cameron Crowe. He was probably still in high school.

My neighbor, Ernsto Gladden who was a DJ at KGB gave me tix to see the Allman Brothers at the coliseum...that concert was the basis for his "almost Famous" script. I probably passed he and Penny Lane in the halls

you don't need no buttons or bows ...


Bob
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Old 08-20-2016, 10:07 AM   #34
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Thanks, Bob, for the credit and notes on my engineering (clothes hanger... demonstrating less is more).

I also have memories of eating burritos at El Indio and going to Black's Beach (where less is also more)!

Bill
Quote:
Originally Posted by CruizinDux View Post
Bill, nice blog on the other post re refer cooling thread. I'll have to spend some time there.

So as to not hijack that other thread like I'm going to on this one...but since both you and OTRA15 opened the door and both mentioned Blacks Beach (less is more) and since a minor hijack is only a misdemeanor here ya go.

I had to dig for a bit to find all the Homegrown albums and this was my final selection. The first still eludes me.



Note the liner notes were written by none other than Cameron Crowe. He was probably still in high school.

My neighbor, Ernsto Gladden who was a DJ at KGB gave me tix to see the Allman Brothers at the coliseum...that concert was the basis for his "almost Famous" script. I probably passed he and Penny Lane in the halls

you don't need no buttons or bows ...


Bob
Thanks, Bob, for digging in the sand and coming up with more homegrown nostalgia regarding Blacks Beach...

No buttons, bows, or refrigerator fans are needed at Blacks Beach!

(P.S. Additional ways to keep the refrigerator cool: Quick, easy and safe refrigerator defrosting)

Bill

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Old 03-05-2017, 04:14 PM   #35
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After several attempts this is what I finally came up with to quiet the refrigerator fan, for now anyway. It's the most effective thing I've tried.




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Old 03-05-2017, 11:51 PM   #36
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After several attempts this is what I finally came up with to quiet the refrigerator fan, for now anyway. It's the most effective thing I've tried.
Jukeboxfun, like silvergate's solution in post #11, gotta love the engineering. I little Rube Goldberg (that's a compliment) but a great idea/solution.


As some else in this thread has commented on more than a couple of occasions, form follows function.



Bob

p.s. that's a new fan, correct?
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Old 03-06-2017, 07:13 AM   #37
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p.s. that's a new fan, correct?
That is not the stock fan, Picked it up on Ebay. The original fan is very loud!
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Old 03-06-2017, 03:06 PM   #38
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That is not the stock fan, Picked it up on Ebay. The original fan is very loud!
Thanks Jukeboxfun, I suspected as much. I swapped our OEM for a Silenex and mounted it back in the OEM bracket but added some foam and the rubber screws/holders.

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f542...ml#post1774433

You can barely hear it and really have to be listening for it...borderline discernible. I followed Silvergate's lead and opened the exterior door...now it hardly even comes on albeit more often on gas vs. ele. However going silent, which I suspect your bungee solution would do, would be an easy swap.

happy trails

Bob
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Old 09-24-2018, 05:34 PM   #39
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I have a 2017 16’ Bambi. The fan behind the refrigerator below the heating coils was very noisy and then quit working. I installed a new one it’s basically a computer fan, there is a switch inside. Does anyone know if the fan cycles on and off automatically or is the above mentioned switch only on/off ( no automatic function ) ? When it worked it was quiet and I never noted how it operated. It’s a little chilly here in the NE and the new fan I installed is not operating at all and the interior switch is in the on position. Thanks for the help.
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Old 09-24-2018, 05:45 PM   #40
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The fan is on a thermostat. If you are in NY now there is a good chance that it just did not get hot enough to turn the fan on. Follow the positive lead from the fan and you should find a thermostat probably attached to the refrigerator coils. Put a heat gun or hair dryer to it and see if the fan turns on or just bypass the thermostat to make sure the fan works.
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