Fans in the fridge

Stormrider151 · 05-29-2016, 05:45 PM

I've seen several references to folks placing fans in their refrigerators to make them more efficient. I have a Dometic fridge and I did place fans on the inside which has helped some. But I have also seen where fans are placed in the back of the unit to increase the airflow. I was wondering what was used and how are they positioned in the unit? Thanks a bunch.

Crusadernoob · 05-29-2016, 05:53 PM

Computer case fans, I installed 5 behind our fridge, it helped tremendously. Maybe I can find some pics.

Stormrider151 · 05-29-2016, 06:03 PM

Thank you. Pics would help a lot. Where did you get the power for them? I wired my inside fans to the 12 volt in the back by running the wires down the drain tube.

Crusadernoob · 05-29-2016, 06:05 PM

I have pics in my mods but I don't know how to post them. I used the power from the fan that is already behind the fridge, ran a switch and mounted it next to my switches on the front panel.

Stormrider151 · 05-29-2016, 06:09 PM

Which way did you point the fans? I'm guessing up towards the vent.

Crusadernoob · 05-29-2016, 06:14 PM

Yes, my fridge is on a slide so I put 2 at the bottom vent pulling in and 3 at the top pushing out

Stormrider151 · 05-29-2016, 06:57 PM

Thanks. I'll order some fans and get to work.

cfiowa · 05-29-2016, 07:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crusadernoob

Computer case fans, I installed 5 behind our fridge, it helped tremendously. Maybe I can find some pics.

X2

2014 cedar creek 36ckts
2014 Chevy 3500 1 ton crew cab 4x4 long bed.

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dwhit · 05-29-2016, 08:03 PM

This duct has three 5" medium rpm fans blowing air out the top vent in a slide from a 4-door Dometic. Works fabulously. It was the first thing I did to this our 3rd RV. I actually disconnected the small "booster" fans that were installed 1/2 way between the vents.

Stormrider151 · 05-29-2016, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dwhit

This duct has three 5" medium rpm fans blowing air out the top vent in a slide from a 4-door Dometic. Works fabulously. It was the first thing I did to this our 3rd RV. I actually disconnected the small "booster" fans that were installed 1/2 way between the vents.

My problem is access to the top of the fridge. Mine only has one intake vent at the bottom of the refrigerator. I'll have to find a way to mount the fans up high enough to get the air to the vent on top of the trailer. My fridge is located on the back wall of the trailer. That's a cool way of doing it though. Looks great!!!

rblack22 · 05-30-2016, 08:48 AM

Do these fans run continuously while the fridge is in the on position?

keith_h · 05-30-2016, 09:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rblack22

Do these fans run continuously while the fridge is in the on position?

The fan that is installed on my fridge has two switches. One is on the control board that will only allow the fan to run when the fridge is running. This switch connects to a thermostat to turn the fan on when the back fin it is attached to gets above 90-95 degrees. I also added a third switch inside that allows me to turn the fan off manually for travel or when I don't want it running.

Kanga99 · 05-30-2016, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dwhit

This duct has three 5" medium rpm fans blowing air out the top vent in a slide from a 4-door Dometic. Works fabulously. It was the first thing I did to this our 3rd RV. I actually disconnected the small "booster" fans that were installed 1/2 way between the vents.

Do you think that the small booster fans you mention are the source of the obnoxious high pitched noise from the outside of my fridge? Our fridge is on the door side of our trailer under the awning and I hate hearing it when we sit outside on a nice quiet evening.

OldCoot · 05-30-2016, 01:29 PM

Put 2 computer fans at the very bottom of the back, just above the burner and they blow across the entire back of the frig and out the vent at the top.

Have since replace the 80 & 90 mm fans with twin 120 mm ball brg fans. Run them continuously when the frig is on. It makes a BIG difference in the way it cools.

wrvond · 05-30-2016, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stormrider151

My problem is access to the top of the fridge. Mine only has one intake vent at the bottom of the refrigerator. I'll have to find a way to mount the fans up high enough to get the air to the vent on top of the trailer. My fridge is located on the back wall of the trailer. That's a cool way of doing it though. Looks great!!!

The easiest fix of all would be to purchase a Camco vent cover for the roof that has a built in fan and a solar panel to power it. A bit pricey, but an easy swap.

keith_h · 05-30-2016, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kanga99

Do you think that the small booster fans you mention are the source of the obnoxious high pitched noise from the outside of my fridge? Our fridge is on the door side of our trailer under the awning and I hate hearing it when we sit outside on a nice quiet evening.

Most likely. Depending upon how they are mounted you should be able to open the lower vent and using a mirror look up and see them. If you have a side vent you might be able to see the fan/s through the upper vent slats (at least that's how mine is mounted).

richp · 05-30-2016, 02:36 PM

Hi,

My Silverback has a refer in the slide, and a noisy stock fan. I added a single computer fan on a bracket that elevated it about six inches from the bottom of the compartment, with a manual switch. I also blocked the gap between the top of the refer and the underside of the slide.

Problem solved, as this apparently is enough to keep the column of air moving, and prevent warm air from pooling over the gap between the top of the unit and the underside of the slide.

FWIW.

Rich Phillips

Stormrider151 · 05-30-2016, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wrvond

The easiest fix of all would be to purchase a Camco vent cover for the roof that has a built in fan and a solar panel to power it. A bit pricey, but an easy swap.

I'll check it out. Thanks!!

dwhit · 05-31-2016, 07:41 AM

Kanga99-prob'ly...I could hear my original factory fans and that's why I turned them off. Too noisy. Can't hear my much larger fans as they're larger & lower speed.

Dodaman · 05-31-2016, 08:37 PM

I just added one fan. It wasn't warm enough this past weekend for it to come on, but I am looking forward to seeing how well it works. I left room to add 1 to 2 more if needed. I added a thermostat, so it will come on and off as needed. I also added a shut off switch. It is on our classic 625d pop up. It was an easy install.

Sorry for the pic. It ended up sideways, and I couldn't figure out how to it upright. Later.

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