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Topic: Refrigerator Stack Fan (Read 696 times) previous topic - next topic

Refrigerator Stack Fan

I'm trying to keep my 24 year old Norcold kicking. The rig is in the driveway and exposed to the Arizona heat (111 yesterday). The freezer was staying cold but the frig compartment was not cooling at all or cooling very little. I bypassed the thermistor yesterday and overnight the frig box cooled down to 37 (92 ambient now). I'm going to order a new thermistor.

Also, I want to put a 12 volt fan in the back to draw more air across the condensor. I installed one on another rig (320) about eight years ago and it worked OK. It's the one in the attached photo. Does anyone have a recommendation for another? Just looking at alternatives. Thanks.
jor
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Re: Refrigerator Stack Fan

Reply #1 –
Best fan installation is two muffin fans just above the condenser (access from roof vent) sucking air up, through the condenser and out the roof vent. 

Can put it on a switch or thermostat.

Yes, installation at the bottom is easier, but does not insure laminar flow over the condenser.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Refrigerator Stack Fan

Reply #2 –
I did what Barry and Cindy did -- 4 cheap computer fans held together with wire ties -- and it works great. I'm by Bullhead City and have already had temps up to 114 this year.
Here's a link...
Refrigerator condenser fan for hot weather

Here's the fans I used. All 4 for 13.99 with free shipping.
120mm 4Pins 12V PC CPU Host Chassis Computer Case IDE Fan Cooling Cooler...
1993 U225 Build #: 4285
500 Watts Solar
Honda CRV AWD
Former 1981 Foretravel Travco
Retired, Full Time Off Grid Snowbird

Re: Refrigerator Stack Fan

Reply #3 –

TITAN- 12V DC Double Rack Mount Ventilation Cooling Fan for Fridge Vent and Ventilation Grille with Speed Controller (120mm (2-Pack))

  We installed this one from Amazon but I haven't been able to test them in high heat yet, thanks to covid 19.  I do like the thermostatically controlled switch though.
Robert and Susan
 1995 36' 280 WTBI 8.3 3060r
 1200 watts on the roof, 720 Ah of lithium's
 Build # 4637. Motorcade # 17599
        FMCA  # 451505
        18  Wrangler JLUR

Re: Refrigerator Stack Fan

Reply #4 –
Here are our inside and rear side fans:

]]Refrigerator condenser fan for hot weather;

We manually turn them on & off

----------
John,  it is TIME to replace that fridge before you have to replace your coach again from a fridge fire.
$400 gets you a 10 cu ft electric fridge.
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Re: Refrigerator Stack Fan

Reply #5 –
Quote
John,  it is TIME to replace that fridge before you have to replace your coach again from a fridge fire.

Damn, Barry. Always the practical one!  :D  I'm thinking about it and if I do I'm trying to decide whether to stick with absorption for easy boondocking or going your route with the inexpensive nice fit one from Lowes. But... if I do the latter, I would have to put up some solar so I gotta figure whether I want to do that job now. Tempting.

For now, I have an ARP device installed which should protect us from fire. It's about 100 here now and the frig (without the thermistor) is down to about 34 so it's working fine. So I could just buy a thermistor, throw in some fans and good to go. Still thinkin' about it.

Also, I don't want to take out another window! Of course, maybe it would fit through our narrow entry door.
jor
93 225
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99 320

Re: Refrigerator Stack Fan

Reply #6 –
OP here. Decided to see if I can keep the ole Norcold (or notcold in my case) going for awhile. Anyhow, I got a new thermistor and also installed a rack of fans. I installed the B4FFS (Barry's 4 Fan Frig Solution). I mounted mine on the top of the stack right over the condensor fins. Put a toggle switch and in-line fuse in the outside compartment. Now to see if that Norcold will get cold!
jor
93 225
95 300
97 270
99 320

Re: Refrigerator Stack Fan

Reply #7 –
Let us know, but that should give a real boost to the condenser performance.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Refrigerator Stack Fan

Reply #8 –
Quote
Now to see if that Norcold will get cold!

I am happy to report that the old Norcold has come back to life. Nice and cold inside with the boiler holding a steady 185F. The four stack fans plus the two interior fin fans draw a total of one amp. We'll see how long she keeps it up
jor
93 225
95 300
97 270
99 320
 

Re: Refrigerator Stack Fan

Reply #9 –
I installed 4 of the inexpensive computer fans like Barry & Cindy and Jor used in the lower part of my refrigerator stack earlier this year and they were doing a great job keeping the refrigerator under 40 degrees until the daytime temps here in AZ got to 115. At that point I would see temps as in the reefer as high as 45 or 46 in the afternoon so I just installed 4 more fans at the top of the stack this morning. Right now it's 120 outside and the inside refrigerator temp is holding steady at 34.5.
1993 U225 Build #: 4285
500 Watts Solar
Honda CRV AWD
Former 1981 Foretravel Travco
Retired, Full Time Off Grid Snowbird