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Topic: Refrigerator Fin Fan needed (Read 625 times) previous topic - next topic

Refrigerator Fin Fan needed

I just had to spend 1.5 hours defrosting/chiseling away a huge block of ice on the fins, which caused water to drip down and run outside the fridge. Not much thankfully. But I need to fix it from occurring again. Upon closer inspection, the fridge needs some caulk on the edges as well, which exacerbated it.

Anyone recommend a model that they use? I'd like to put one on the fridge fins. Reviews on some amazon ones are hit and miss, so figured I would check here. I have the original Dometic. TIA.
Jason
2000 U295 36' Non-slide  ISC350

Re: Refrigerator Fin Fan needed

Reply #1 –
If you have an old computer laying around you can use the CPU fan (or any small fan) for a trial run. I  temp wired one to the wire shelf by the fins and found how I load food in the fridge affects the performance. Move the fan around until you find what works best for you. Then either buy a fan that mounts your way or make the CPU fan mount permanent.

TOM
SOB (Some Other Brand) division
1995 Wanderlodge WB40
8V92 :D

Re: Refrigerator Fin Fan needed

Reply #2 –
Any of the muffin fans would work, you can grab power from the light just make sure the power is on when the light is off.  I did this and used a couple ty-wraps to make a loop and hang it over the fins.  Never had any ice buildup after installing it.
Forest & Cindy Olivier
1987 log cabin
2011 Roadtrek C210P
no longer 1999 36' U320 build #5522
2013 Rzr 570 & 2018 Ranger XP1000
2006 Lexus GX470
2011 Tahoe LT 4x4
Previous 1998 45' 2 slide Newell, 1993 39' Newell

Re: Refrigerator Fin Fan needed

Reply #3 –

Thanks I think I can find a fan to put in there.

For the caulk, what is recommended? This is the caulk that seals the fridge? Something like this? Amazon.com: NORCOLD 635352 THERMAL MASTIC : Appliances

As an Amazon Associate Foretravel Owners' Forum earns from qualifying purchases.
Jason
2000 U295 36' Non-slide  ISC350

Re: Refrigerator Fin Fan needed

Reply #4 –
I installed Dutch Air fan. Helps cooling efficiency and reduces ice buildup. Had to pull power wire through drain line as my light only had power when door open. Also added Valterra fan in roof vent at top. Together they made a big difference in the cooling ability of the fridge.
1998 36 foot U270 Build No. 5328 WTFE, 900 watts solar, Victron controller, B2B, bat monitor, 600 AMPH lithium with 2018 Chevy Colorado toad, SKP #110239, Motorcade #17781, 2021 Escape 17B for when Coach is broken down and campsites are too small, retired and full-timer since Dec. 2020. Part of RV family since 1963.

Re: Refrigerator Fin Fan needed

Reply #5 –
My Norcold has a defrost cycle that runs about every 3rd day but I have had ice build ups on the fins like you described. In that case, I shut the fridge off, empty the shelf below the fins, put a couple frying pans on the shelf to collect the water and use a hair dryer to melt the ice.
It only takes a few minutes.
As for calk, I wouldn't think it would help with the seals. Did you do the dollar bill test ?
1993 U225 Build #: 4285
500 Watts Solar
Honda CRV AWD
Former 1981 Foretravel Travco
Retired, Full Time Off Grid Snowbird

Re: Refrigerator Fin Fan needed

Reply #6 –
You do not want the mastic.  That is for bonding the cooling unit to the cold plate on the back of the fridge.

Not sure where you want to caulk.  The only openings should be at the door seal and that should be magnetic.  And around the fins.  That should have been sealed with foam when the cooling unit was installed.

Rich
Rich and Peggy Bowman
2002 U270 3610 WTFS, build #5939--"Freedom"
2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit 4xe
SMI AirForceOne brake system
PakCanoe 15

Re: Refrigerator Fin Fan needed

Reply #7 –
I used to silicone bath/kitchen caulk. On mine, if you open the doors, where the brown edge meets the white plastic, there is caulk there. Some has pulled apart and formed a gap. With the ice buildup causing poor(er) cooling, it was melting and dripping to the bottom of the fridge, bypassing the catch under the fins, and running to the front of the fridge, passing the seal and down the wood cabinet. (sounds like a roller coaster of a sentence!)  I may need to replace the seals too but the caulk will help seal it up and prevent it from running on the backside where I cannot see it.
Jason
2000 U295 36' Non-slide  ISC350

Re: Refrigerator Fin Fan needed

Reply #8 –
Quote from: Jason –
I used to silicone bath/kitchen caulk. On mine, if you open the doors, where the brown edge meets the white plastic, there is caulk there. Some has pulled apart and formed a gap. With the ice buildup causing poor(er) cooling, it was melting and dripping to the bottom of the fridge, bypassing the catch under the fins, and running to the front of the fridge, passing the seal and down the wood cabinet. (sounds like a roller coaster of a sentence!)  I may need to replace the seals too but the caulk will help seal it up and prevent it from running on the backside where I cannot see it.
If the drainage channel under your fins is blocked for some reason, it would cause the channel to overflow and the water would run to the bottom of the fridge. It would also create excessive moisture in the fridge that would lead to more ice build up. 
If the door seal isn't sealing correctly, that is another problem, and I don't believe calk is the answer for that. 
1993 U225 Build #: 4285
500 Watts Solar
Honda CRV AWD
Former 1981 Foretravel Travco
Retired, Full Time Off Grid Snowbird

Re: Refrigerator Fin Fan needed

Reply #10 –
Not to steal your post but does anyone know where you can get a compressor for the norcold basement freezer
Mine has died and if I can get a compressor I'll replace it rather than spend 1300.00 on a new one.  I am looking at modifying the area(make it bigger) where the compressor mounts.
Thanks
Chris
1999 U 320 DGFE
Build Number 5523
Chris & Elka Lang
In the field, Lonoke AR

Re: Refrigerator Fin Fan needed

Reply #11 –
This is what you want to seal refrigeration with:

Shop NRP2 - Sealing Gum - NRP - URI

Other companies make it as well. It is made to seal refrigeration units. I probably used several hundred pounds of it when I was working in commercial refrigeration. Still keep a couple of pounds on the coach for emergencies.

TOM
SOB (Some Other Brand) division
1995 Wanderlodge WB40
8V92 :D
 

Re: Refrigerator Fin Fan needed

Reply #12 –
I would choose the three fans Bill has (reply 9) over two like I have. Better coverage over the fins and slower to build up ice.
1998 36 foot U270 Build No. 5328 WTFE, 900 watts solar, Victron controller, B2B, bat monitor, 600 AMPH lithium with 2018 Chevy Colorado toad, SKP #110239, Motorcade #17781, 2021 Escape 17B for when Coach is broken down and campsites are too small, retired and full-timer since Dec. 2020. Part of RV family since 1963.