Noisy Refrigerator Cooling Fan

[short stuff]

Just bought a 16 16' Bambi and on the maiden voyage the refrigerator fan was so loud we had to turn it off. Any help on a way to silence it?

[overlander63]

Easiest way is to get a good cooling fan for a computer, and replace the factory fan with it.

[short stuff]

When I get the old fan out will it have the specs on it? and if so will the replacement have to match or can it have a higher rating? sorry if that's a stupid ? just don't do much electrical.

[AWCHIEF]

Hours of light reading

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

[Wayne&Sam]

What? I can't hear you, my refrigerator fan is too loud.

Really, it's an easy fix, read the threads.

[short stuff]

That is awesome!1 Thankyou all very much. My wife will be very happy now

[CruizinDux]

Originally Posted by AWCHIEF

Hours of light reading

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

AWCHIEF's link was the basis for my fan swap out decision. It's very long and was started in 2004 I believe and involves a lot of different models.


Here is a link to the 20's thread with my post and pics # #711 and discussion continuing for a few pages.


http://www.airforums.com/forums/f516...ml#post1774433

I tried to stay away from posting such detailed instructions as I found that the swap was pretty intuitive, once the new fan wires were ID'd. I also stayed away from the flashing some folks opted for, and I found was not needed, nor was a 2nd fan as some opted for. For me, it's probably the easiest mod that had the greatest results. If you have any questions, its still pretty fresh in my head.

BTW in our 20 we have two doors and I found when in camp, I open the upper door (with the fan) it cools down even quicker. also comments #836



Good Luck.

Bob

[mocus]

I simply wired mine directly to the switch inside door......works great

[dkottum]

We put a quiet computer fan in, can't hear it. But if you simply prop the upper fridge hatch open for better air circulation, you really don't need to run it. Of course parking the trailer to keep that side in the shade and the will help greatly.

[CruizinDux]

Originally Posted by CruizinDux

....BTW in our 20 we have two doors and I found when in camp, I open the upper door (with the fan) it cools down even quicker. also comments #836


Bob

I give credit to Doug (dkottum) for his suggestion in another thread (lost track) of opening the upper door. Granted Ele runs cooler the when on gas, but when I opened he door, the fan turned off in 2-3 minutes. Almost as good as not even hearing the new fan when it is running.

Bob

[SilverGate]

Originally Posted by CruizinDux

I give credit to Doug (dkottum) for his suggestion in another thread (lost track) of opening the upper door. Granted Ele runs cooler the when on gas, but when I opened he door, the fan turned off in 2-3 minutes. Almost as good as not even hearing the new fan when it is running.

Bob

SilverGate props open both refrig exterior hatches (upper & lower) with inexpensive clothes hangers when wanting to maximize the efficiency of the refrigerator's cooling ability especially during hot days.

In addition, a simple switch was added to make sure the fan does not turn on at night when camping!

[Peanut]

short stuff

The plastic vents on our 16 Sports, which are not hinged, are held on by “push pins”. The slots in those pins are not there so that a flat head screw driver can be used to twist them like you use the key on the water inlet cam lock. They allow you to squeeze the pin so that it can be pulled out 3/8 inch or so. (You can goggle automotive push pin for a visual). The paint on the pins chips easily, so you may want to tape your pliers. I’m not a fabricator, so I just zip-tied to two computer fans (Noctua 120mm, NF-S12A FLX) to a 1”x1” about 12 “ long and screwed it the same wood as the original fan. It is solid. I also added a switch (Keep It Clean SW16R Red 25 Amp/12V Square Framed LED Rocker Switch ) which I located in the rear of the cabinet under the sink. It’s not really necessary as the fans are so quiet and draw so little current.

Michael

[CruizinDux]

Originally Posted by SilverGate

SilverGate props open both refrig exterior hatches (upper & lower) with inexpensive clothes hangers when wanting to maximize the efficiency of the refrigerator's cooling ability especially during hot days.

In addition, a simple switch was added to make sure the fan does not turn on at night when camping!

Silvergate, my apologies. Right thread, wrong credit.

To restate, I give credit to Silvergate for his suggestion in another thread (lost track) of opening the upper door. How could I forget the engineering on the opener.

Not only lost track of the thread, I've lost some memory..cept for some fading memories of Switzer Canyon, El Indio and surfing at Dog Beach, before it was so named.

Bob

[SilverGate]

Originally Posted by CruizinDux

Silvergate, my apologies. Right thread, wrong credit.

To restate, I give credit to Silvergate for his suggestion in another thread (lost track) of opening the upper door. How could I forget the engineering on the opener.

Not only lost track of the thread, I've lost some memory..cept for some fading memories of Switzer Canyon, El Indio and surfing at Dog Beach, before it was so named.

Bob

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

[OTRA15]

Good San Diego North County memories here also . . .

Don't forget Bob that Orca Island is north of Eugene . . .




Thanks both of you and others for the idea to keep the upper exterior fridge door open, it makes a huge difference. Too bad our FC20 main door overlaps this area. Still haven't swapped out the fan but that is working its way up the list.

A modified clothes hanger might also become a "hold-open" for the main door, so that the open fridge door can have more free air ventilation?

Happy Trails Bob!

Peter

Originally Posted by CruizinDux

Silvergate, my apologies. Right thread, wrong credit.

To restate, I give credit to Silvergate for his suggestion in another thread (lost track) of opening the upper door. How could I forget the engineering on the opener.

Not only lost track of the thread, I've lost some memory..cept for some fading memories of Switzer Canyon, El Indio and surfing at Dog Beach, before it was so named.

Bob

Originally Posted by SilverGate

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

[CruizinDux]

Originally Posted by SilverGate

....

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

Bill

it goes without saying

[CruizinDux]

Originally Posted by OTRA15

.....
Don't forget Bob that Orca Island is north of Eugene . . .



Peter

Peter, it's the constant pull of the moons (and memories)

something tells me we'll be in the southern loop again. A lot of the USA to cover but I see SD in a southern return path to the west coast.

BTW the fan swap is a snap...maybe during half-time of the Warriors game tomorrow...go GS ; )

Happy Trails everyone.

Bob

[John&Vicki]

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

[Ray Eklund]

Originally Posted by short stuff

Just bought a 16 16' Bambi and on the maiden voyage the refrigerator fan was so loud we had to turn it off. Any help on a way to silence it?

*****
Our 2014 25' International had the refrigerator fan that sounded as if I was grinding up rocks. Airstream Jackson Center ignored my fan complaints for an exchange of one junker for a new junker. The cost to tow to RV shop and back home and then back to RV shop and then back home when they have a part... I did it myself. Blew the slow blow fuse trying to find the correct two wires from the three on the fans... Keep a spare fuse handy.

WHY do they still use this antique method and just fix the problem? Probably push it onto Dometic and let them get stuck with the tab.

Our 2006 25' Safari... same issue.

I may have had a thread about mine and replacement part and costs. The prices vary from $10 to $90 and could be the same fans with different names. I do not have the carton for what I replaced the Airstream 'grinder', but it IS quiet. Someone on the Forum made a post that fixed my problem.

I use a 12 inch+ wooden trim scrap to hold open the upper vent open. The noise of the air moving with it open is a 50% drop in sound of the air flow through the vents.

The area above the refrigerator amplifies the sound like a speaker. Next time... forget the microwave... I want a trailer with the roof vent and live happily ever after!

[Rocinante]

Some models come without a fan for the fridge because the cooling vents are designed differently. Our 2014 27FB International Signature seems to be one example of that.