Refrig fan noise FIXED...really

[TinVenture]

Originally Posted by wanderingduo

I can't really blame my local dealership for not finding a fault with the fridge because it seems to be an intermittent issue, thus hard to replicate. They were really good about taking my rig in within a few days of my contacting them and they did comprehensive testing on the fridge. I have had other problems with the trailer and they have been good at resolving them fairly quickly.

I can understand your friends frustration if his dealership is not helping out. Perhaps he should contact Airstream directly...

He picked up his trailer earlier on and asked what the problem was. The service writer wasn't really sure but assured him it was fixed. They hit the road and the fridge still isn't cooling.

I've taken my trailer in 3 times and it's like pulling teeth to get anything done. Last time they had my unit for a week to install a dexter axle lift and fan covers. I showed up and they said they needed another week because they forgot to order the parts. The following week I showed up again and about 10 minutes later I saw them begin working on my trailer. I was finally able to go home with my trailer the following day.

I just called them again to have my door fixed. They said drop it off with us and hopefully they have time in the next 2 weeks to take a look at it. What's the point of an appointment? I expressed my discontent with the way they do business and his response was that's just how things are.

I've completely lost faith in my local dealership!

[switz]

I found out my perception of the incompetence factor of the local shop was being reinforced by other's tales of woe. In two years they were unable or unwilling to order the replacement range cover hinge (a warranty item as it failed the first trip out) for my Classic that they sold me. I have spared them my angst and taken all of my custom and service work elsewhere. They lost out on tens of thousands of dollars of profitable custom work at their shop rates.

I know it would have been even more expensive there because of all the trips to rework the shoddy job yet again.

Finding an excellent independent shop where they stand behind their work is imperative to my serenity. I am unwilling to do business with folks that just end up getting me angry or upset and could care less about their lack of workmanship.

[TinVenture]

Originally Posted by switz

Finding an excellent independent shop where they stand behind their work is imperative to my serenity. I am unwilling to do business with folks that just end up getting me angry or upset and could care less about their lack of workmanship.

Maybe this is the reason I drove over 9 hours away to have my solar installed by Vinnie's Northbay Airstream!

[bubble1]

Originally Posted by RV_cool

The cooling kit I manufacture is quieter and superior than the factory fan, plus if you got the double side vent, you don't have to remove the refer to install. The whole kit is less than the 50 some dollars one fan mentioned in this thread costs. I'm not busting on anybody's modifications, but just letting people know there is a kit available if they want it.

You mention your cooling kit, is there a link to learn more?

[OTRA15]

Originally Posted by bubble1

You mention your cooling kit, is there a link to learn more?

Welcome to the forum bubble1! You realize the post you have quoted is from 2007?

[zonastream]

I'm replacing the OEM fan with two Noctua fans. Does anyone know where I can find another metal fan bracket just like the one holding the original fan that came on my 2015 FC25. See photo if I was successful uploading it. Thanks for your help.

[nvestysly]

Originally Posted by zonastream

I'm replacing the OEM fan with two Noctua fans. Does anyone know where I can find another metal fan bracket just like the one holding the original fan that came on my 2015 FC25. See photo if I was successful uploading it. Thanks for your help.

Doesn't look like you were able to attach a photograph. If yours is similar to other installations you can purchase small pieces of angle at a big-box home center or a well-stocked hardware store. I suspect the bracket you refer to is made of 1/4, 3/8 or 1/2 inch aluminum angle that's 1/16 or 1/8 inch thick. Cut it to length, drill a few holes, use a few screws to attach it to the interior frame of the compartment door and presto... another bracket.

I know that's an oversimplified explanation but it's should be achievable with a few basic tools. If you don't have the skill or tools ask a neighbor to help.

[zonastream]

Thanks NVESTYSLY, Actually I have already installed the aluminum angle you suggested. What I'm looking for is the oem piece between the angle and the fan's corner mounting holes. I think I've found something similar on EBay. It's a Domteic one, two, or three fan mounting bracket. With a small alteration it will allow my two fans to hang like the original. Sorry about the photo and I don't know what I'm doing wrong. Thanks again.

[Troutboy]

On my 2017 FC 23D, just received, the fan is installed directly on the coils? See picture below. It's the noisy cheap fan, I have a nocturnal to replace it. I'm going to see if this new design works, if not Switz above did a really cool install that I might copy.





Thx
Troutboy

[switz]

When I saw how Airstream mounted the fan in the top vent opening behind the refrigerator in our 2015 23D International Serenity, I knew it was a poor design that really would not pull "cooling" air past the coils. So we made a blank out plate with three fans that forces the cooling air to come in the bottom vent and come past the coils to exit at the top opening.

We wired the three fans using a relay to come on only when the Vitrifrigo refrigerator's Danfoss compressor is running. These are very quiet fans I got on Amazon.

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

[nvestysly]

Originally Posted by switz

When I saw how Airstream mounted the fan in the top vent opening behind the refrigerator in our 2015 23D International Serenity, I knew it was a poor design that really would not pull "cooling" air past the coils. So we made a blank out plate with three fans that forces the cooling air to come in the bottom vent and come past the coils to exit at the top opening.

We wired the three fans using a relay to come on only when the Vitrifrigo refrigerator's Danfoss compressor is running. These are very quiet fans I got on Amazon.

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

That looks like a very good installation. The fans will definitely pressurize the cavity and the only way for air to exit the system is to flow up the back of the refrigerator coils and out the upper (or roof) vent.

I may change my installation now that I've seen yours.

[Troutboy]

Switz, where did you get that cool switch?


Thanks,
Troutboy

[switz]

Note that the three fans are in the top vent panel of the 26D and are exhausting air. To clarify, the 23D has two side refrigerator compartment air vent panels and no chimney like the 25FB or our Classic. Thus the fans pull the air in thru the bottom vent across the coils which are at the bottom of the refrigerator and up (hot air rises) and out the top side vent.

Granted my hearing is now not that of a 20 year old, but I can barely hear them running outside of the trailer or inside. I do faintly hear the Danfoss freon compressor running.

[nvestysly]

Originally Posted by switz

Note that the three fans are in the top vent panel of the 26D and are exhausting air...

Thanks for the clarification. Your layout creates a low pressure situation to draw air up the duct and over the coils. It makes sense to put the fans at the top of the upper cover, as you've shown, to move the maximum amount of air over the coils. I seem to recall the coils are very close to the top of the compartment.

[switz]

The Vitrifrigo DP150i refrigerator has the 12Vdc Danfoss freon compressor at the bottom with a small radiator with fan to do the heat exchange process. The Dometic RM2551 ammonia based flame system also has the carbon monoxide issue to resolve so pulling air up and out at the top helps significantly with getting that by-product of combustion out of the coach. The Dometic coils are attached to the back of the refrigerator and reach from perhaps six inches off the floor of the compartment to nearly the top of the unit.

We are making sure there is relatively cooler outside air flowing in and upwards through the space behind the refrigerator where the single fan hanging in the opening in the factory installation was a joke as the air just swirled around the fan itself. This new fan system worked well before we switched out the Dometic RM2551 for the Vitrifrigo 150i.

[dkottum]

That's a really professional installation of cooling fans and ductwork, but I personally would not block off the natural airflow out the vent in that way. My concern would be risk of somehow overheating. Our fridge uses gas or electric heaters for evaporative cooling, the compartment can get very hot.

We did replace the factory fan with a quiet fan, but simply propping open the upper door a little allows air to move more freely and the fan seldom comes on.

[SilverGate]

Originally Posted by dkottum

... simply propping open the upper door a little allows air to move more freely and the fan seldom comes on.

Yes... it's that simple!

[switz]

Since hot air rises, air can escape out around the three fans thru the empty space in the openings even if the fans are not operating.

[Wayne&Sam]

Originally Posted by SilverGate

Yes... it's that simple!

Yes, opening the covers makes a big difference. You can even hear it in the sound of the fan.

[Bruce B]

Just a quick comment.
i installed our first Noctura fan a couple of years ago. We love the fact that you can't hear the fan the way you could the original!
The first noctura fan failed in about 10 months so I simply replaced it.
We are on the road now and although the fan worked 5 days and 1800 miles ago, it was once again d.o.a. by the time we got to Florida.
While shopping for a few things at a Camping World, I found one of these
http://www.valterra.com/product/frid...2-volt-carded/

As it was in my hand, I decided to give it a try.
I bypassed the included thermal switch, wired and installed it in about 15 minutes with the supplied illuminated on/off rocker switch.

It is just as quiet as the Noctura fan it replaced. It appears to have less air flow although it was enough to remove the heat from the compartment (the counter top above the fridge is no longer hot to touch) and I can turn it off with the switch if I wish.

It was $50 so it wasn't free but we are on the road again and it's quiet! Time will tell if it lasts longer than the computer fan types...

I will take a picture later today of my quick handy work in case anyone is interested in my quick repair...
Bruce