fans or no fans

[goransons]

We just finished building the fridge cabinet for our new unit we hope to order tomorrow (if the dealer is open). i already have 12 volts at the cabinet for the refrigerator controls and am considering adding a couple switched 92mm 12v fans at the base of the fridge scoop to help on warmer days. Did search and read many threads that talked about a retrofit kit for older units that made a difference as well as a mixed bag of feedback about stock fans. The fans I was thinking of installing are 38 cfm at 26 dBa and would install either 2 or 3. I'm curious if others have installed fans and how effective they are. My main concern is will their benefit out weigh the area they take away from airflow when not on.

Thanks for your help.

[Wayne&Sam]

Mine came from the factory with fans and they make a BIG difference when it's hot out. It also helps when I leave the trailer door open as it covers the refrigerator vents.

[Zeppelinium]

I've seen some car cooling fans, little pancakes that are similar to the fans used to cool personal computers, powered by small solar panels. I don't know how this would work in the east where temperatures don't fall much day to night, but out in the west where temperature falls pretty rapidly as soon as the sun goes down, the automatic nature of the solar panels/fans seems like an elegant on-off logic.

I'd still put a switch in the circuit, since you wouldn't want the fans to run in the winter or when the fridge is off.

Another fan here. Looks like you'd have to take them apart (either one) to mount the solar panel on top of the Airstream.

Wow, while looking for these links, I stumbled on this interesting web site for 12 volt equipment.

Zep

[lewster]

Originally Posted by goransons

We just finished building the fridge cabinet for our new unit we hope to order tomorrow (if the dealer is open). i already have 12 volts at the cabinet for the refrigerator controls and am considering adding a couple switched 92mm 12v fans at the base of the fridge scoop to help on warmer days. Did search and read many threads that talked about a retrofit kit for older units that made a difference as well as a mixed bag of feedback about stock fans. The fans I was thinking of installing are 38 cfm at 26 dBa and would install either 2 or 3. I'm curious if others have installed fans and how effective they are. My main concern is will their benefit out weigh the area they take away from airflow when not on.

Thanks for your help.

If you are trying to maximize the performance of your fridge in very hot weather, you should look at RV_Cool's (a Forum member) web site. He is in the RV refrigeration business and makes a very nice kit just for this purpose with an air plenum, fan, thermostat for control and all wire and hardware that you'll need. IIRC, it can be found at www.snydersrefrigeration.com

I have installed about 10 of these to date and they DO make a difference!

[john hd]

i have one of rv cool's kit and it is a big improvement!

here is the install of the inside fan i built from parts found on the net.

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f425...cks-34859.html

and here is the cooling unit rebuild i did.

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f425...air-23857.html

sorry i have no pictures of the exterior fan kit, the install went so fast i forgot to take pictures!

john

[Zeppelinium]

Originally Posted by lewster

... you should look at RV_Cool's (a Forum member) web site. He is in the RV refrigeration business and makes a very nice kit just for this purpose with an air plenum, fan, thermostat for control and all wire and hardware that you'll need. IIRC, it can be found at www.snydersrefrigeration.com ...

Lew,

Your link doesn't work for me. I looked RV_Cool up, went to his site, but I couldn't find the first thing about a fan.

In other news, thanks to all concerning info on putting a fan inside of the fridge on the fins! I've always just thought of putting a fan in the plenum to force air upwards. Duh.

Zep

[goransons]

I searched the forums, and maybe I just missed it, but couldn't find any pictures of RV_Cool's unit. I'll PM and see if he has any. I have these fans just sitting in the garage from another project and was just thinking about hooking them up with a little 12v voltage regulator and mount a switch up above the fridge next to where the water heater switch is going. The fans are really quiet, we've been using them on our home theater equipment for several years with a thermostat. From what I have already read and the advise so far it appears a fan setup is a good plan. I think I might try hooking them up and see what kind of air flow I get before I mount the fridge. Palomino appears to be closed today for New Years Eve, so I guess Wednesday is when we get to order.

[john hd]

here it is

title

i was impressed with the price and quality of the kit. and the fact it works as advertized.

john

[goransons]

Thanks John, that is a very smart design. I think I'm going to give the fans I already have (the price is right) a shot as the vibe I get is fans in general are a plus. If I'm not satisified with the results I can always remove a few screws and slide the unit out and upgrade to the unit from the link you gave.