3120 fridge fan

Six Pack · 10-26-2013, 02:41 PM

I have been having issues with my high fridge temperatures in my 2014 Sunseeker, after contact with several others with the same floor plan, (fridge in slide-out, no roof vent), I found out they have a fan behind the fridge to cool the coils, something I don't have. Forest River says they don't install these fans Dometic does, Dometic says they these fans are not standard.This is not an easy fix due to the fact that the fridge has to come out to do it properly. Has anyone else had this problem? The RV has already been in the shop for a month in July due to slide problems and to replace the air conditioner,now I have to use a cooler to keep food in when we travel. I'm starting to think I made a mistake with my choice of an RV.

Witch Doctor · 10-26-2013, 04:02 PM

If your ref is in the slide you do not have a roof vent. FR know s that this is a problem They have been trying to get them to approve one, I can't imagine why they will not. Just get a 12 volt computer fan and mount it under the coil in the top section. The problem is the heat from the condenser coil, you need to move it. With top vented units the convection of heat will take care of it but not in a slide out. I added another (in a different unit) but it helps a 100x's over. They may never get it approved. Some stuff you just have to do. You can access the area through the top vent. If I'm picturing right you have a low vent and upper vent in the sidewall? If you need I can send you a picture, just PM me with your email add.

OldCoot · 10-26-2013, 04:21 PM

Would fashion a curved metal sheet at the top to deflect the air out the vent and put a BALL BEARING computer fan(s) just above the burner at the bottom and have it blow up the entire back of the frig. Put a toggle switch on it so you can control when it's on. I have two fans mounted at the bottom of mine and had to move the control to a warmer setting to keep the frig above 32°.

Witch Doctor · 10-26-2013, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OldCoot

Would fashion a curved metal sheet at the top to deflect the air out the vent and put a BALL BEARING computer fan(s) just above the burner at the bottom and have it blow up the entire back of the frig. Put a toggle switch on it so you can control when it's on. I have two fans mounted at the bottom of mine and had to move the control to a warmer setting to keep the frig above 32°.

You know my dealer told me that same thing last week, I can see my next project coming now. All that heat is being trapped up there and makes the unit less efficient, and cause early failure of the system. It really is just common sense and I do not understand why they will not do it being they know it's a problem.......

OldCoot · 10-26-2013, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gljurczyk

You know my dealer told me that same thing last week, I can see my next project coming now. All that heat is being trapped up there and makes the unit less efficient, and cause early failure of the system. It really is just common sense and I do not understand why they will not do it being they know it's a problem.......

I think we discussed that when you were down here.

ATVer · 10-26-2013, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Six Pack

I have been having issues with my high fridge temperatures in my 2014 Sunseeker, after contact with several others with the same floor plan, (fridge in slide-out, no roof vent), I found out they have a fan behind the fridge to cool the coils, something I don't have. Forest River says they don't install these fans Dometic does, Dometic says they these fans are not standard.This is not an easy fix due to the fact that the fridge has to come out to do it properly. Has anyone else had this problem? The RV has already been in the shop for a month in July due to slide problems and to replace the air conditioner,now I have to use a cooler to keep food in when we travel. I'm starting to think I made a mistake with my choice of an RV.

I have a 3120 and it came with a fan. Are you sure yours has not just failed? I have a hard time keeping my fridge above 33 degrees. The first time I heard it I thought it was odd since my KZ toyhauler has no fan. I thought it was just because it was a different brand refrigerator. Now I understand why it has a roof vent.

Witch Doctor · 10-27-2013, 08:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OldCoot

I think we discussed that when you were down here.

That is exactly true, once again I shouldn't have put it off after our conversation. I guess just being lazy. Your right to many times, One Day I will start to listen to you and that day is coming pretty quick...

Your not bad for being an "Old Goat" I'LL have to start to call you OLD BILLY instead have to give you some respect.

..

Six Pack · 11-02-2013, 02:31 PM

Thanks for all the replies. ATVer, after contact with Big John and several others with the same floor plan I checked for a fan and there is none. I called Dometic and got them to send me a fan, so I guess they're admitting there's a problem, but if I follow their installation instructions the fridge has to come out because it has to be mounted half way between the vents. The dealer is out of the picture because he's a jerk and three hours away. My question is why do some 3120's have it and others don't ?

OldCoot · 11-02-2013, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Six Pack

Thanks for all the replies. ATVer, after contact with Big John and several others with the same floor plan I checked for a fan and there is none. I called Dometic and got them to send me a fan, so I guess they're admitting there's a problem, but if I follow their installation instructions the fridge has to come out because it has to be mounted half way between the vents. The dealer is out of the picture because he's a jerk and three hours away. My question is why do some 3120's have it and others don't ?

I would not pull the frig, I would add a thin sheet metal deflector at the top and mount the fan just above the burner at the bottom and have it blow the entire length of the back to get as much of the heat out as possible. I have two fans at the bottom and above the burner on mine.

Witch Doctor · 11-02-2013, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OldCoot

I would not pull the frig, I would add a thin sheet metal deflector at the top and mount the fan just above the burner at the bottom and have it blow the entire length of the back to get as much of the heat out as possible. I have two fans at the bottom and above the burner on mine.

It is also best to add one on top below the condenser coil that what determines when they come on unless they are wire to be on always. There is a stat on the coil that brings them on. Atleast in a slide out unit, but I know yours is direct vent from the roof. My gas vent terminates at that coil on top. For the gas purpose only not electric. But you want to keep that whole area as cool as possible bottom to top. What turns your fan s off and on if I may ask Sir Billy?.....

bgilly · 11-02-2013, 06:03 PM

View documents here: http://bryantrv.com/docs2/docs/dometicventing.pdf for venting options. It appears option #3 is what you are looking for.

Bobby

OldCoot · 11-02-2013, 06:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bgilly

View documents here: dometicventing.pdf for venting options. It appears option #3 is what you are looking for.

Bobby

I couldn't get link to work.

bgilly · 11-02-2013, 06:21 PM

Fixed. Sorry about that.

OldCoot · 11-02-2013, 06:36 PM

Read the article, I would add the baffle at the top but would still put 2 fans at the bottom instead of pulling the frig to mount them midway.

Witch Doctor · 11-02-2013, 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bgilly

View documents here: http://bryantrv.com/docs2/docs/dometicventing.pdf for venting options. It appears option #3 is what you are looking for.

Bobby

I would install below the condenser coil either at the bottom or as high as you can to it, It is just to blow air over the coil to cool the unit. If you have a roof top vent mount it in the bottom of the unit, if it's in a slide mount it under the condenser coil area. It will suck fresh air from the opening at the bottom. The only thing is to figure out what turns it off and on as I said there is a click-on disk that is attached to the coil on mine when it builds heat it completes the 12 volt circuit that would turn it on and off as needed. Yours might be different then mine being I have a Norcold. Did they say were to break the 12 V or 110V what ever fan they sent you?

ATVer · 11-02-2013, 06:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Six Pack

Thanks for all the replies. ATVer, after contact with Big John and several others with the same floor plan I checked for a fan and there is none. I called Dometic and got them to send me a fan, so I guess they're admitting there's a problem, but if I follow their installation instructions the fridge has to come out because it has to be mounted half way between the vents. The dealer is out of the picture because he's a jerk and three hours away. My question is why do some 3120's have it and others don't ?

My Coach is a 2012 model so maybe they were trying to reduce costs on later models. Also maybe they only supply the fan for units sold in hot areas of the country.
Sounds odd but I have a friend who bought a new Land Rover in southern Pa. He took it on a snowmobiling trip up north in -20 degree weather and the oil breather frooze up pushing the oil out all over. Turns out there was a cold weather kit that Rover only installed on those units sold up north to prevent the issue. They didn't expect a car from Pa would ever need it and I guess never expected someone might drive it up north.

bgilly · 11-02-2013, 07:11 PM

The intent was to show where to place the baffle(s). It makes sense to place one mid-stream so the air to/from the fan (wherever the fan is mounted) does not bypass the condenser even though the note states:

When dimension "D" exceeds 1", it is necessary to add baffle/s above lower

access vent, as shown, for more efficient operation in warm temperatures.
The illustration also shows how the top baffle should contour to the top grill (as mentioned previously in this post)

I also neglected to mention that option #3 is for the Innovator Refrigerator Ventilator System but shouldn't matter what vent system - the objective is to move air through the back.

Bobby