tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2154511856319682113.post7349993943732617116..comments2023-05-14T20:49:36.700-07:00Comments on WanderMan: Do You Like Your Drinks COLD? - Installing a Fridge Chimney Fan.The Wandermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12111895389728923307noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2154511856319682113.post-82981805388740495452012-07-17T18:47:30.353-07:002012-07-17T18:47:30.353-07:00Matt,
OK...Gotcha. I'll do some measuring and...Matt,<br /> OK...Gotcha. I'll do some measuring and look for a sensor. Might as well have one that reads out as well. So i can monitor from inside.<br /><br />I did notice that with the fan running the wall panel above the fridge doesn't get hot anymore. Probably needs some additional insulation as well.<br /><br />Rich "The Wanderman"The Wandermanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12111895389728923307noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2154511856319682113.post-32913866390115618632012-07-17T17:39:34.789-07:002012-07-17T17:39:34.789-07:00Most of the thermostat installations were placed o...Most of the thermostat installations were placed on the wall closest to the cooling fins on the back of the unit where the most heat is generated, and released.Big Matthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11972364897169819241noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2154511856319682113.post-43540690054090896852012-07-17T17:17:40.855-07:002012-07-17T17:17:40.855-07:00Matt,
EXCELLENT IDEA! I just scored a bunch of v...Matt,<br /> EXCELLENT IDEA! I just scored a bunch of various switch types that match the dashboard ones. I have a whole box of them. Now to find a thermostatic switch I can set AND figure out where to mount it so it reads a true temperature in the chimney.<br /><br />Rich "The Wanderman"The Wandermanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12111895389728923307noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2154511856319682113.post-63813949096773100762012-07-17T16:44:38.497-07:002012-07-17T16:44:38.497-07:00a single pole 2-way switch would be perfect, flipp...a single pole 2-way switch would be perfect, flipped one-way, manual operation, flipped the other, the thermostat is now in the circuit.Big Matthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11972364897169819241noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2154511856319682113.post-77940060092774580512012-07-17T14:44:23.317-07:002012-07-17T14:44:23.317-07:00Matt,
I saw a really nice 4 92mm fan pack, moun...Matt,<br /> I saw a really nice 4 92mm fan pack, mounted on an nice aluminum frame with a mounting flange on one side (exactly what I need) However, it's 420MM wide and that would effectively block the whole vent opening. I am toying with the idea of cutting it in half..<br /><br />Rich "The Wanderman"The Wandermanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12111895389728923307noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2154511856319682113.post-84547295062848856052012-07-17T14:42:28.595-07:002012-07-17T14:42:28.595-07:00Matt,
I've toyed with the idea of a thermosta...Matt,<br /> I've toyed with the idea of a thermostat, but I am so crazy about monitoring, I may just have a manual switch inside. Of course, I COULD do both....<br /><br />Rich "The Wanderman"The Wandermanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12111895389728923307noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2154511856319682113.post-87771797657585990292012-07-17T13:07:52.844-07:002012-07-17T13:07:52.844-07:00The units I bought were branded as being super qui...The units I bought were branded as being super quiet and have been pretty much that, though I also keep a Shurflo Comfort Breeze running alot of the year (With the lid shut during the winter to mix the air and open to draw air through the rig in the summer).Big Matthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11972364897169819241noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2154511856319682113.post-28499571627588649972012-07-17T13:05:14.876-07:002012-07-17T13:05:14.876-07:00Most of the thermostat's I've seen used we...Most of the thermostat's I've seen used were set to turn on at around 85 or higher to start removing heat before it built up too much.<br /><br />Mine draw so little power that I just turned them on and left them on. <br /><br />I'm finally replacing the two inside the fridge after they've been running for over 6 years and while they still work have started to make alot of noise from all that time in a moist environment.Big Matthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11972364897169819241noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2154511856319682113.post-52147151297662865592012-07-15T16:00:35.634-07:002012-07-15T16:00:35.634-07:00Anon,
Another success story! I have no idea why ...Anon,<br /> Another success story! I have no idea why manufacturers don't simply update their designs and/or install these fans from new???<br /><br />Rich "The Wanderman"The Wandermanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12111895389728923307noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2154511856319682113.post-4242808461149996922012-07-15T14:28:55.844-07:002012-07-15T14:28:55.844-07:00Gentlemen,
I have a 2009 Safari Cheetah (by Monaco...Gentlemen,<br />I have a 2009 Safari Cheetah (by Monaco)that had two fans installed in a baffle below the coils in the back.<br />There is a thermostat located on one of the fins at the top that is supposed to turn the fans on when the space reaches 150 degrees F (verified by testing and with Monaco).<br />The space apparently never got quite that hot so the fans never ran even though the wooden interior wall next to fridge was very hot to the touch.<br />Last fall I wired a switch in parallel with the thermostat and installed it inside the coach. It has a red LED that lights to remind me that the switch is on and the fans are running. If the thermostat were to turn the fans on the LED would also light. I plan to replace the thermostat with one rated at ~ 130 degree F because I think 150 degrees is way too hot. I had to do this becaues the fridge is in a slide out and the top vent is in the side instead of the roof of the coach. My fridge now stays at 36 degrees with the control set on 4 where before it was in the low 40s on a hot day no matter what setting the control was on.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2154511856319682113.post-49302607175978902452012-07-15T06:18:39.375-07:002012-07-15T06:18:39.375-07:00Jeff,
OK..that sounds reasonable to me. After I...Jeff,<br /> OK..that sounds reasonable to me. After I finish testing the single 120MM fan and it's airflow and effects on cooling I will tackle making the assembly quieter! <br /><br />Thanks,<br /><br />Rich "The Wanderman"The Wandermanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12111895389728923307noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2154511856319682113.post-64284820948611063682012-07-14T19:51:24.351-07:002012-07-14T19:51:24.351-07:00Rich, If you want less noise you can use two 12 vo...Rich, If you want less noise you can use two 12 volt fans side by side and wire them in series or use two 24 volt fans and wire them in parallel and they will run slower and quieter, but still move considerably more air past the fins than without. They will also use much less current this way. JeffAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2154511856319682113.post-92015723594519850552012-07-14T11:48:31.925-07:002012-07-14T11:48:31.925-07:00Dan,
Good idea! My panels are 48Volt nominal, so ...Dan,<br /> Good idea! My panels are 48Volt nominal, so the direct approach is out. Since I am charging the batteries with the solar array all day..I'll likely just tap into the existing 12V line and put in a thermo switch and a manual cutoff.<br /><br />Thanks,<br /><br />Rich "the Wanderman"The Wandermanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12111895389728923307noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2154511856319682113.post-2657053850982407202012-07-14T09:30:55.406-07:002012-07-14T09:30:55.406-07:00I have done a similar thing attaching the hot lead...I have done a similar thing attaching the hot lead to the solar line. Sun shines, fan runs. Moon shines, fan is off. Never have to think about it.<br />Thanks for sharing.<br />DanDan & Teri Gregghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13674147860843236742noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2154511856319682113.post-6909139988999818292012-07-14T04:26:48.499-07:002012-07-14T04:26:48.499-07:00Matt,
Hmmm...the fan I installed is rather noisy...Matt,<br /> Hmmm...the fan I installed is rather noisy. Not horrible, but I can hear it inside if nothing else is running. On full blast it draw a little less than .5 AMP. What kind of fans did you use???<br /><br />These fridges SHOULD run forever if properly maintained.<br /><br />Rich "The Wanderman"The Wandermanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12111895389728923307noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2154511856319682113.post-7134156765847649302012-07-14T04:00:48.411-07:002012-07-14T04:00:48.411-07:00The fans draw 0.12 amps each for a grand total of ...The fans draw 0.12 amps each for a grand total of 0.72 amps, not enough to worry about Ah wise.<br /><br />There a very dull sound when they're running, barely noticable above the background noise.<br /><br />My fridge is the factory original, all mechanical. She's been running strong since 1974, but couldn't combat 100 degree temps till I did my improvements, now I never have to turn her up.Big Matthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11972364897169819241noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2154511856319682113.post-28920255274045959292012-07-13T04:39:52.663-07:002012-07-13T04:39:52.663-07:00Matt,
Wow! That's a lot of work. Probably wo...Matt,<br /> Wow! That's a lot of work. Probably would have been better if the manufacturer had just installed it correctly the first time. Adding insulation is a GREAT idea! I will look into that on my fridge compartment as well.<br /><br />Any idea how much power all those fans pull?? Are they noisy?<br /><br />Thanks,<br /><br />Rich "The Wanderman"The Wandermanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12111895389728923307noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2154511856319682113.post-74865509774216257132012-07-12T22:47:02.073-07:002012-07-12T22:47:02.073-07:00I did something similar, but to a far greater extr...I did something similar, but to a far greater extreme.<br /><br />First, I got a guide on how far from the wall an RV Fridge's coils should be, I believe the max gap between the coils and the walls should be no greater than 1", otherwise, convection occurs outside the coils and prevents the proper air movement through the coils and the fins on top.<br /><br />To fix this, I built out my wall using 1x2s and FRP board so that the coils were closer to the wall to prevent air bypass.<br /><br />Second, I built a sheet metal duct that went from the top of the fridge's back up to the vent on the roof so that all heat was directed out vs into the dead space around the fridge.<br /><br />Third, I filled all the dead space in with faced fiberglass insulation to give the nearly 40 year old fridge a good 4" or greater insulation jacket on all the sides but the back where the cooling unit is.<br /><br />Fourth, when I built my duct, I installed a bank of 4 80mm fans a half an inch above the cooling fins on the top so that they would draw air through the fins and exhaust it out the top, causing a proper draft induction to occur. <br /><br />Fifth, I installed as set of two more of these 80mm fans inside my fridge directly centered on my cooling fins that pull air over the fins and exhaust it towards the door, causing a proper circulation pattern to form. <br /><br />My fridge stays in the high 20s and low 30s in 90 or hotter weather on it's lowest setting now.Big Matthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11972364897169819241noreply@blogger.com