the 16' CCD has two plastic access panels, one at the bottom and top of the fridge, on the outside of the coach. Behind them is all of the fridge "stuff" - tubing, burner, etc.
at the top of all that are tubes surrounded by a dense row of aluminum cooling fins. on one of those fins, AS (poorly) mounted a buttom thermostat, which controls a computer-style fan that sits right behind the vent.
the thermal coupling between the fins and the fan looks to me poor at best. and yeah, the fan draws a full amp. measured it myself.
if you've run the fridge much, i'd think you'd have heard it by now - the fan AS supplies is NOISY as well as inefficient!
i've been and still am looking into improvements, so all suggestions welcome.
We're talking about a fan that would be mounted somewhere behind the refer correct?
I'll stick my head in that access panel on the side of the trailer and have another look around but I'm pretty sure it doesn't have one.
Yes. There should be 2 access panels. It should be near the top of the refer on the uppermost access panel. (should be near some fins) You can tell Airstream added it by the fit and finish compared to the fridge. Also, on the the inside of the coach you should have a "refer fan" switch.
__________________
Alan
2005 22ft Safari
2003 Chevrolet Suburban Z71 5.3l
"Life is like a box of chocolates..." Forrest Gump
the 16' CCD has two plastic access panels, one at the bottom and top of the fridge, on the outside of the coach. Behind them is all of the fridge "stuff" - tubing, burner, etc.
at the top of all that are tubes surrounded by a dense row of aluminum cooling fins. on one of those fins, AS (poorly) mounted a buttom thermostat, which controls a computer-style fan that sits right behind the vent.
the thermal coupling between the fins and the fan looks to me poor at best. and yeah, the fan draws a full amp. measured it myself.
if you've run the fridge much, i'd think you'd have heard it by now - the fan AS supplies is NOISY as well as inefficient!
i've been and still am looking into improvements, so all suggestions welcome.
jon
The fan that is supplied by Airstream is 'supposed' to help the evaporator section (fins) work more efficiently in very hot weather. These fans are a JOKE!! Given the position and the mounting of them, they will do nothin except make noise and run your battery down.
I have installed a unit fron Schnieders RV Refrigeration that really seems to work. It uses a piece of PVC gutter with a very quiet ball bearing fan pointing up at the fins. The unit sticks on to the back of the fridge with industrial stickey tape. It has it's own termostat for on/off and blows the air UP at the fins and OUT the top access door. WAY MORE EFFICIENT!!!
I think that they are $39 plus shipping. I have 3 in stock if anyone needs one .
I'l try to get a shot up in the classifieds tomorrow.
The fan in my 05 bambi is in the top compartment, is rather noisy, is thermostatically controlled, and has an illuminated cut off switch on the left as you enter the trailer. As usual, I could be wrong, but I was under the impression that they were standard, and Airstream added the cut off switch later as a result of complaints about the noise. I read an earlier thread about replacing the original fan with a computer fan of the same voltage and more CFM, which I am considering. Some contend that they are more efficient, and are significantly quieter. Some of them also have those cool LED lights built in.
I also have an '05 Safari SS. Check your Dometic installation and operating instructions page 11 under "climate control." This is a resistance heater designed to evaporate moisture on the metal frame of the fridge. This resistance heater is operated from 12V. and draws extra power. It should be turned off when running from battery.
I also have an '05 Safari SS. Check your Dometic installation and operating instructions page 11 under "climate control." This is a resistance heater designed to evaporate moisture on the metal frame of the fridge. This resistance heater is operated from 12V. and draws extra power. It should be turned off when running from battery.
Yep I forgot about this one. All the newer fridges have this switch and once turned on, you have no other indication that this heater is running. The switch is usually around the refrigerator door frame and easily overlooked. Many a battery has been run down by this being left on. One reason why many of us use the master disconnect switch to remove any chance of something being left on (other than the propane detector which is not in the switched circuit). Good catch tpi!
Jack
__________________
Jack Canavera
STL Mo. AIR #56
'04 Classic 30' S.O.
'03 GMC Savana 2500
'08 Vespa GTS 250
I totally forgot about the evaporator. I can't remember if I have one of these or not. I specifically remember reading about it in the instructions of my previous camper and it indicated it should be turned off when on 12v. I'll have to take a look at the new fridge. I would imagine it has one of these as well.
Quick Links
Linear Mode
