Date: Thu, 29 Apr 1999 12:40:29 -0700
Reply-To: Davidson <wdavidson@THEGRID.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Davidson <wdavidson@THEGRID.NET>
Subject: Re: Refrigerator Fans
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
Steve,
I agree that external fridge fans do not improve fridge cooling in moderate
outside temperatures of say up to 70 degrees or so.. but I can tell you for
sure that when the temperatures go above 80 they do make a difference. And
at a certain point when the outside temperature goes high enough, the stock
external fan just can not move enough hot air from that confined space
behind the fridge to keep the fridge cold. If the right fans are added more
hot air will be moved, more cool air will pass over the cooling fins, and
the upper temperature range (outside air temp) of efficient fridge operation
will be extended. In other words, the added fans will allow the fridge to
keep food cold when you need it most... on a hot day. I also agree that even
if you do this and you don't add an inside fan the work will be wasted...
the inside fan is more important and a lot easier to install (if battery
powered). My 2 cents.
Bill
90 Westy Syncro
-----Original Message-----
From: Steve Frisbee <frisbee@ROCKETMAIL.COM>
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Date: Thursday, April 29, 1999 12:28 PM
Subject: Re: Refrigerator Fans
>I second the idea of putting a battery-operated "Fridge-it" fan inside
>the Dometic before going to the trouble of installing a second coil fan.
>
>It seems that air circulation improvement inside should provide much
>more benefit than a second fan outside. The absence of air movement
>inside creates a stagnant cold zone around the inner fins that impedes
>efficient transfer. Another benefit of the internal fan would be
>faster re-equilibration of the internal temperature after the door has
>been opened.
>
>An additional outside coil fan will serve to shorten the on/off cycle
>time, bringing the cabinet air to "shut-off" temperature faster (if
>tied to the same thermocouple). It will not bring the temperature
>down any lower than the existing fan unless you change the
>thermocouple that controls it. This would seem to be a minor
>improvement in efficiency, especially if the coil fan is cycling only
>occasionally, (as is typical). I would agree, however, that if you
>camp where high ambient temperatures cause long fan cycles, a second
>coil fan is warranted.
>
>Camping World sells an internal Fridge-It fan- uses 2 'D' batteries
>that last a month. Turn it on when you load up the food, turn it off
>when the trip is done.
>
>Steve Frisbee
> 85 Westy
> 92 Subaru
> 66 Bug
>
>
>
>
>---Davidson <wdavidson@THEGRID.NET> wrote:
>>
>> Mike,
>> I considered adding a fan inside my fridge... like Derek Drew
>mentioned in
>> his article Refrigerator Madness. But I didn't have the time (or the
>wiring
>> knowledge at the time). So I bought one of the battery operated
>Fridge Mate
>> fans that are sold at RV stores for use inside the fridge. Getting air
>> movement over the inside cooling fins and around the food is EXTREMELY
>> important to getting the most out of the fridge. It really helps a
>lot. At
>> first I didn't like the fact that the battery operated fan took up
>what I
>> thought was useable food storage space inside the fridge. But after
>using it
>> for two seasons my current thoughts are that it is not taking up
>useable
>> space at all. Really, in order to get air circulation (the purpose
>of the
>> fan) you need to leave space for the air to circulate; if you pack
>the food
>> too tightly there is no room for the air to circulate around the
>food so the
>> food doesn't get or stay cold (even if you have a fan inside). Well,
>it
>> turns out that by locating the battery operated fan strategically in
>the
>> center of the center shelf it not only circulates the air up an over
>the
>> cold fins, it also by its location keeps the center of the fridge
>open for
>> air circulation back down and around the food. In other words, the fan
>> serves as a physical reminder to keep that air space open for
>circulation,
>> thus thwarting the natural temptation to pack more food in there.
>Also there
>> is no wiring job and no possibility of it running your battery down.
>Anyway,
>> that's my 2 cents.
>> Bill
>> 90 Westy Syncro
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Mike Finkbiner <mike_l_f@HOTMAIL.COM>
>> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
>> Date: Wednesday, April 28, 1999 9:43 PM
>> Subject: Re: Refrigerator Fans
>>
>
>>
>
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