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01-20-2014, 05:03 PM
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#1
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Phat Phrog Stunt Team
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Iowa
Posts: 34,507
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Boondocking mod for fridge fans.
Of all people my buddy "OC" and I were chatting today and I think I've come up with a new mod for those of us with exterior fridge fans the do some or alot of boondocking.
Currently my fridge fans come on as soon as I turn the fridge on and run continually till the fridge is switched off.
Now we only camp without shore power 2-3 times a year for about four days each using propane.
Why couldn't we splice in the fan power lead into the gas valve power lead so the fans would only run when the fridge is "heating" to cool to save on battery power?
Thoughts?
TURBS
golf cart safety instructor
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01-20-2014, 05:30 PM
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#2
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Phat Phrog Stunt Team
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Tipp City, OH
Posts: 7,154
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Sounds reasonable to me!
__________________
2016 Georgetown 364TS
2017 Jeep Rubicon Recon toad
Nights Camped 2019 - 17
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01-20-2014, 06:06 PM
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#3
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Average Joe
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Mechanicsville, MD
Posts: 689
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I clamped a temperature switch to the condenser side tubing and wired it in series with the fan. I also added a lighted power switch. It worked perfect on our trip to Florida. Only heard it cycle with ambient temps around 80. The fridge maintained 32 fridge and zero freezer.
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Joe and Karen
2014 Sunseeker 2450sf
Southern Maryland and Beyond!
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01-20-2014, 07:56 PM
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#4
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Professional Curmudgeon
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 754
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Why not just use a solar powered fan? The only time you want the fan running is when the sun is out anyway and it wouldn't use any battery power at all...
__________________
2022 Cougar Half Ton 24RDS fifth wheel
2014 Coachmen Catalina 253RKS (sold)
2017 F350 6.7L DRW CC LB 4x4 Lariat
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01-22-2014, 12:31 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: OK Falls, BC
Posts: 144
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I installed a 3 speed fan with an on/off switch on the old pop up. I just monitored the internal temp. and adjusted the fan speed as required. Between that and the reflective baffling I put in to help move the heat out, the little fridge would freeze up if need be.
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01-22-2014, 05:00 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Eastern Ontario
Posts: 4,167
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Quote:
Originally Posted by f1100turbo
Of all people my buddy "OC" and I were chatting today and I think I've come up with a new mod for those of us with exterior fridge fans the do some or alot of boondocking.
Currently my fridge fans come on as soon as I turn the fridge on and run continually till the fridge is switched off.
Now we only camp without shore power 2-3 times a year for about four days each using propane.
Why couldn't we splice in the fan power lead into the gas valve power lead so the fans would only run when the fridge is "heating" to cool to save on battery power?
Thoughts?
TURBS
golf cart safety instructor
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As long as the circuit board can take the extra amps from the fan without failure, then should be OK.
__________________
Fonzie
2011 Rockwood 8319SS with ProPride 3P hitch/GoodYear Marathons/TST TPMS 507
2019 F350 Ruby Red 6.7l diesel 3.31 axle electronic locker
Yamaha 3000iseb generator:Progressive Ind. EMS-HW30C : Eastern Ontario
Nights Camped: 2014 (18) 2015 (18) 2016 (36) 2017 (32) 2018 (42) 2019 (28) 2020 (35)
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01-22-2014, 07:18 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Windsor, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 744
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01-22-2014, 10:47 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Palm Coast FL
Posts: 746
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Pipeman - those are for rigs with roof mounted vents for the refrig. Turbs has a slide mount unit so vents are in the side of the slide. A small solar panel on the roof and similar fan in the vented space would work quite well.
__________________
 Brenda and John
'14 Ram 3500 MCSB 6.7L HO PullRite 16K S/G, Grey Columbus 320RS Camped '14 - 146 days/'15 - 196 days
USN-EOD(Ret), Master Chief, 30 yrs,
Master Blaster of the Navy
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01-22-2014, 11:28 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Windsor, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 744
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BigTJohn,roger, my ooops. Thanks for the heads up.
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01-24-2014, 03:29 AM
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#10
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Member
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 41
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I added a attic fan thermostat in the vent tunnel on mine so the fans only come on at a certain temperature. I also installed a lighted rocker switch in line as well as an "on" LED that lights when the fans are running.
__________________
2010 Cherokee 295U 36 foot 5th Wheel.
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01-26-2014, 10:20 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Vancouver, B.C., Canada
Posts: 138
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That's what I did. Use a 3" dia brushless fan, draws .3 amps, connected with the gas valve. Works great, noticeable difference in hot weather. Inside fan runs all the time though, smaller brushless fan, draws .1 amps.
__________________
 Tow Vehicle: '92 F350, Crew Cab, 4X4, Cummins 5.9 24 Valve, 6spd.Driver:Clint, Navigator:Melanie, 1 dog (Great Pyrenees/Akbash cross) and now a cat too. Mission Statement: Just another adventure! Towed vehicle:2009 Roo 19 with lots of mods!
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01-27-2014, 10:34 AM
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#12
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Phat Phrog Stunt Team
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Iowa
Posts: 34,507
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cmcct
That's what I did. Use a 3" dia brushless fan, draws .3 amps, connected with the gas valve. Works great, noticeable difference in hot weather. Inside fan runs all the time though, smaller brushless fan, draws .1 amps.
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Perfect!
TURBS
dog wisperer
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01-27-2014, 07:36 PM
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#13
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Junior Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 17
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You could also use a 12v relay in the fridge circuit and get the power for the fan from the battery or the original fan power source.
__________________
Sans1
2014 3010DS (Ford Chassis) no more
Back to a fiver - after 6000 miles in it, me no likey motorhome
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02-03-2014, 07:00 PM
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#14
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Member
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Langley, BC
Posts: 96
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what a fantastic idea! i just have the fin fan, and I think I will switch it to that! (subbed to follow!)
__________________
'07 Toyota Tundra 5.7L DC 4x2
'16 Surveyor 226RBDS
Nights camped 2016 - 3
Nights camped in 2015 - 20
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