Refer fan run 95% and sucks power???

[SagaCapt]

New to us Bambi 16'.

First real dry camping and it seems the refrigderator almost never shuts up, is too cold and seems to pull lots of juice.

Is the refer fan running virtually all the time normal?

Is there a way to turn the themostat warmer? The main compartment is freezing.

Is this the likely cause or fast battery drain?

Thanks

[overlander63]

You do know you can turn off the fan, and see how the fridge does, right?

[Bruce B]

Originally Posted by overlander63

You do know you can turn off the fan, and see how the fridge does, right?

Our Dometic fridge has a fan that runs a lot. I replaced that fan with one that is much quieter as we couldn't stand listening to it.
Yes, you can reach in and pull a wire from the temp sensor on the back of the fridge to stop the fan and yes, Dometic does sell the fridge without the fan for some applications. Airstream includes the fan because I believe they are concerned about the trailers ability to circulate air over cooling fins by convection alone.
That said, we did experience a fan failure in Florida one year and because the replacement fan is so quiet, we didn't notice for a while. The fridge seemed to work as well as it always does until I ordered a replacement fan...

One other thing to keep in mind is that the 16' Bambi models come with a single group 24 battery. There is not a lot of capacity there and if you are boondocking you might easily run up against the limits of that battery.
Bruce

[Gsmblue]

The fridge fan is a pest!! I replaced the fan with a quieter (and more efficient) computer fan, there is a couple of threads on that mod.. Here is a good one:

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f425...lly-11811.html

The the auto switch that is attached to fins on the back of the fridge seems to trigger at a really low temp. I replaced that with an adjustable switch, you can set the trigger temp from about 90F to about 130F. Much more usable!

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Finally some people have wired in a switch so they can control when the fan comes on and off. Some mount the switch out by the fan and some mount it inside the living quarters... Pros and cons to both.

And yes, one "group 24" battery is not a lot of juice...

[SagaCapt]

@Bruce, the info about the fan exactly what I needed.

Yes the Sport 16' has limited battery storage but going from full charge to red on the meter and below 11.5v with only refer on in 12 hours seems like an issue.

@GSMblue, thanks for the links to the threads.

THANKS!

[SagaCapt]

@GSMBlue, I think you hit the head on the nail. The temp sensor seems to kick the fan on at a fairly low temperature and won't kick it off until it gets VERY low. The fins are bearly warm to the touch when the fan kicked in.

New sensor time!!! Until then, no fan.

Thank you all for the quick replies.

[Gsmblue]

@SagaCapt you are welcome

[overlander63]

The newer models have an on/off switch to turn the fridge fan on and off. Installation on an older model should be as simple as installing a switch in-line.

[dames7]

I found out from AS that if the outside Temp is over 45 degree it will run all the time.

[Robere]

Adding a switch in line with the fan will help preserve battery power and reduce noise.

[MelGoddard]

My 30' FC has a fridge that we can bearly hear.
The fan at the back is silent, the fridge operate at the middle button at 36-38 °.
I do use a battery operated recirculation fan on the lower door shelf to help stir the interior air.
You can buy one at any RV outlet.

[rucos]

I also put a battery operated small fan in the back bottom fridge last year and think it made a big difference. It has an on/off switch and I leave it running 24/7 when we use the trailer. Battery lasts a long time. Totally quiet. Bought it at camping world.

[Pressdr]

Good afternoon AirStreamers
To control the temperature of the cooling compartment:

1. Look inside the refrigerator and locate the cooling fins.
2. Look for a plastic piece about 2 inches long attached to one of the cooling fins . this should be located on one end of the cooling fin assembly, and have a wire attached to it

3. There should be a label that indicates what direction to slide the plastic sensor up or down to regulate the amount of cooling.

Note: Small adjustments make a big difference in temperature change.

Hope this helps..

Pressdr
Peace in our Time