Date:         Fri, 21 Jun 2013 17:11:13 -0700
Reply-To:     mark drillock <mdrillock@COX.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         mark drillock <mdrillock@COX.NET>
Subject:      Re: Fridge Fan
In-Reply-To:  <r9ms1l01J08X5Fr019muDG>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8; format=flowed

By design the fridge fan runs because it is too hot behind the fridge
and the fan is supposed to push the heat out the top vents replacing it
with cool air from the floor vent under the front door of the fridge. If
the cabinet vent areas are partially obstructed then the heat will just
get moved around and that won't be enough if the fridge is running a lot.

Computer fans are not quite the right thing for the job. The velocity of
the moving air is what matters most and computer fans are not meant for
that. The stock type fans blow air up through the fins and out the top
vents better than computer fans of the same power consumption in my
experience. (I also suggest NOT putting a fan inside the fridge if you
camp where it is very hot)

What was the temp thermostat knob setting? On propane the fridge main
burner should cycle on for a while and off for a while during the night
and the fan should cycle on and off to match but lagging. If the setting
is set to max it will run more and the fan will be needed more and both
may run constantly. Understand that the setting does not affect how high
the main burner flame is. All it does is determine how often and how
long the main burner turns on. In hot weather the burner may run
constantly even with the knob set nowhere near coldest. Thus setting the
adjustment too cold will just make it run longer into the night as it
tries to catch up with the setting. Then it may freeze food during the
night, at least all of mine would.

Getting the most out of the stock fridge involves some thought and care.
If that is not something you are willing or able to learn and live with
then one of the all electric replacements might be a better option. That
brings different concerns into play but at least you can throw stuff
into that kind of fridge without much thought, until the battery dies.

Mark


J B wrote:
> I know there have recently been threads on the dometic fridge cooling fan but wanted to share my most recent experience. Camped at Castaic Lake campground this past week where temps were over 100 degrees during the day. Now I understand the cooling fan is normally on during these times but it was also running almost the entire night as well. The fridge was running off propane and the outside temps during the night were in the 70's. Has anyone else experienced the fan being on almost constantly for 2 days? Does anyone have any pics of secondary cooling fans they have set-up or should I look into replacing my existing original fan??
> The food in the fridge was still relatively cold...should I even worry at all?
>
> Oh and updated my blog with our latest trip to Lake Castaic campground which I don't recommend at all....feel free to take a look
>
> http://1981vwcamper.blogspot.com/
>
> Thanks - John.
>