ARP fan wiring

Topic: ARP fan wiring (Read 852 times) previous topic - next topic

ARP fan wiring

March 14, 2021, 11:32:41 am

I just installed an ARP Fridge Defend unit. All done except the fans inside the fridge - instructions suggest snaking the power wire(s) down through the drip tube, but that tube seems to dead-end 4 or 5 inches down. Can't push anything down further, and can't find where that tube is supposed to come out in the access panel outside. Where is the terminal end of that tube? Fridge is a Dometic RM7832.

Re: ARP fan wiring

Reply #1 – March 14, 2021, 12:26:59 pm

I just wired the inside the refrigerator fans to the 12v hot wire going to the interior light. If the refrigerator has 12v the fans are spinning.

Re: ARP fan wiring

Reply #2 – March 14, 2021, 01:22:25 pm

Quote from: Dan & Annie – March 14, 2021, 11:32:41 am

Where is the terminal end of that tube?

It should come out under the coach. Look under the coach below the fridge. You should see a short stub pipe with no explanation as to where it came from that should be your drain line.

Mike

Re: ARP fan wiring

Reply #3 – March 14, 2021, 02:42:55 pm

I was able to get the wire through the drain by first using a thicker wire, and twisting it when it seemed to hit an impasse. My backup plan was to route the wire outside the cabinet, and cross between the door seal and the cabinet.

Re: ARP fan wiring

Reply #4 – March 14, 2021, 05:36:54 pm

Quote from: oldmattb – March 14, 2021, 02:42:55 pm

I was able to get the wire through the drain by first using a thicker wire, and twisting it when it seemed to hit an impasse. My backup plan was to route the wire outside the cabinet, and cross between the door seal and the cabinet.

I think drilling a "just big enough" hole through the cabinet," to pass the wire into the cabinet would be better than disturbing a door seal.

Tim

Re: ARP fan wiring

Reply #5 – March 14, 2021, 08:41:03 pm

I would be reluctant to drill a hole. On my Dometic, the side walls are vacuum insulted to allow more interior space.

Rich

Re: ARP fan wiring

Reply #6 – March 14, 2021, 09:00:06 pm

I agree with Rich above. In fact there are warning labels stating that.

Reply #1 is the answer, at least for me it was.

Re: ARP fan wiring

Reply #7 – March 14, 2021, 09:02:07 pm

Are the internal fans worth?

Re: ARP fan wiring

Reply #8 – March 14, 2021, 09:07:01 pm

Absolutely!!! They keep the box colder and eliminate ice on the fins.

Re: ARP fan wiring

Reply #9 – March 15, 2021, 06:12:26 am

Yes, the fans are worth it and yes I also wired to the light power.

Rich

Re: ARP fan wiring

Reply #10 – March 15, 2021, 08:07:21 am

Quote from: bpal – March 14, 2021, 12:26:59 pm

I just wired the inside the refrigerator fans to the 12v hot wire going to the interior light. If the refrigerator has 12v the fans are spinning.

The instructions have you wiring the inside fans to come on only when the outside temp gauge triggered the outside fan to come on. I was wondering whether this made sense. So wiring to the hot side of the switch for interior light, the fans will run constantly, that's what you're doing?

Re: ARP fan wiring

Reply #11 – March 15, 2021, 08:11:50 am

Quote from: oldmattb – March 14, 2021, 02:42:55 pm

I was able to get the wire through the drain by first using a thicker wire, and twisting it when it seemed to hit an impasse. My backup plan was to route the wire outside the cabinet, and cross between the door seal and the cabinet.

So you did run the wire out the drain tube? Where did it come out and what power source did you hook it up to?

Re: ARP fan wiring

Reply #12 – March 15, 2021, 08:29:53 am

I installed mine in the same location as you, originally, it failed after a few weeks and I sent it back under the warranty to ARP. The company ask where I had it installed and said the failure was unusual but suggested that it be installed inside and away from the heat in the access compartment. So I moved it. Glad I did as it is in a much more convenient location now. I was able to drill a small hole in the panel just below the fridge and run the wiring out thru the cabinet and up into the fridge access compartment

Re: ARP fan wiring

Reply #13 – March 15, 2021, 09:30:01 am

Quote from: Dan & Annie – March 15, 2021, 08:11:50 am

So you did run the wire out the drain tube? Where did it come out and what power source did you hook it up to?

Going by memory - the coach is not here.

I ran the hot wire out of the refrigerator section through the condensate drain tube. I did not have access to the end of the tube, so I split it at a visible section, rand the wire out of the tube, and sealed the opening with Plumber's Goop. The ground wire for the fans connected to the ground inside the refrigerator light.

The power source is the fan controller wire provided by the ARP unit.

Re: ARP fan wiring

Reply #14 – March 15, 2021, 09:31:51 am

Quote from: Dan & Annie – March 15, 2021, 08:07:21 am

The instructions have you wiring the inside fans to come on only when the outside temp gauge triggered the outside fan to come on. I was wondering whether this made sense. So wiring to the hot side of the switch for interior light, the fans will run constantly, that's what you're doing?

Yes, I have the fans running constantly. I am using the very small fans that were an option from ARP. They draw very little power (0.04 amp x 2 x 24 = 1.92 amp hours / day for the two). It has helped prevent ice on the fins and does seem to provide more consistent temps throughout the refrigerator.

Re: ARP fan wiring

Reply #15 – March 15, 2021, 11:30:50 am

Quote from: bpal – March 15, 2021, 09:31:51 am

Yes, I have the fans running constantly. I am using the very small fans that were an option from ARP. They draw very little power (0.04 amp x 2 x 24 = 1.92 amp hours / day for the two). It has helped prevent ice on the fins and does seem to provide more consistent temps throughout the refrigerator.

I recommend installing enough fans to cover the entire length of fins. Otherwise the in between fins can ice up. I still have to defrost the freezer every month or 2 depending on humidity. Haven't defrosted the fins since I installed a couple of years ago.

I run mine constantly. Think they are a must have for ammonia refrigerators.

see ya
ken

Re: ARP fan wiring

Reply #16 – April 21, 2021, 11:43:04 am

Quote from: Travelin' Man – March 14, 2021, 09:00:06 pm

I agree with Rich above. In fact there are warning labels stating that.

Reply #1 is the answer, at least for me it was.

Hey t-man you know where I can get some fans like that? 1 came in the coach but I would like a couple more.

Keith

Re: ARP fan wiring

Reply #17 – April 21, 2021, 02:02:35 pm

The fans are farther apart in the first link;

https://rvcoolingunit.com/Norcold-Evaporator-Fan-Greater-inside-Cooling-Custom-Deluxe-wGrill-P5984717.aspx

https://rvcoolingunit.com/Norcold-Evaporator-Fan-Greater-inside-Cooling-LED-Deluxe-wGrill-and-Light-P5205533.aspx

Re: ARP fan wiring

Reply #18 – April 21, 2021, 05:08:05 pm

Keith, I have 4 fans that I put in our old Dometic fridge that I don't need any more. If you want them they are yours.

Re: ARP fan wiring

Reply #19 – April 21, 2021, 05:41:55 pm

Quote from: rbark – April 21, 2021, 05:08:05 pm

Keith, I have 4 fans that I put in our old Dometic fridge that I don't need any more. If you want them they are yours.

Pm sent

Re: ARP fan wiring

Reply #20 – April 22, 2021, 09:10:02 am

I took a computer muffin fan and used a long ty-wrap to form a long loop then hooked that over the fins to hold it loosely in place against the fins about in the middle. Then hooked up to the fridge light power wire so that it runs continuously. Never had any frost on the fins for the last couple years. First fan lasted 2 years, on my 2nd fan now. But they are very cheap on amazon, ebay, newegg, etc.

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