In a message dated 08/23/=
2001 11:49:13 AM Central Daylight Time,
EVEHART33@AOL.COM writes:
I always read the refrigera=
tor threads hoping to pick up tips to improve the
cooling ability. Some of the tips involved adding an extra cooling fan o=
r
fans to remove more of the hot air that builds up behind the refrigerato=
r
and
presumably aid cooling.I don't know how I overlooked this before but I r=
ead
in a recent post that the Dometic RM 182 is designed to cool a maximum o=
f
only 40F below the outside ambient temperature. I've been checking mine =
on
120VAC and propane and find this figure to be roughly accurate. Has anyo=
ne
added the extra fans and improved on this figure?
Hi Ken and Listers,
I have just recently, this month, installed two fans to the refrigerator=
circuit. One inside and one additional at the rear of the unit. My
information was gathered from the following informative site.
http://vanagon.com/info/articles/Refrigerator/Reefer_Madness.htm
Thanks to Derek Drew for the articles and all the leg work.
I also installed the two reading thermometer that is mentioned. One prob=
e
situated in free air at the top of the fridge. The second ambient van te=
mps.
Here are the results, taken a couple of weeks ago when it was really hot=
.
120 volt system.
Ambient in van. . Fridge
95 =
45.8 =
88 =
39
The thermometer registers the min. and max. temp. also. As follows.
Min. 75. =
24.1
Following day.
96. =
32.3 10AM.
99. =
43.2 4.30 PM
91. =
40.6. 8.30 PM
85. =
31. 10.00 PM
The Max for the day was103.
Min. 70. [overnight.] 24.0
I did the trial last night, again, on 120volt.
86 =
30. 11. AM
81 =
30 1=
.00 PM.
The day is overcast, no direct sun on the van. These figures would incre=
ase
if the sun was beating down on the left side panel, I'm sure.
The propane figures were close, unfortunately I didn't record them.
Having the thermometer makes you more obsessive with the temp in the fri=
dge.
I did a test today. Had the door open for 10 seconds and it increased th=
e
temp. by 8 degrees. So if you want any thing out of the unit do it PDQ.
All the above figures are with an EMPTY fridge.
Here are Radio Shack parts numbers that I used.
273-240 Micro Fan, 1- 9/16" square. 5.3 cfm. Fitted above the cool=
ing fins
inside.
273-243B Cooling Fan 3" Airflow 26cfm
Rated at 0.08A and 0.16A.
Note. Radio Shack offer more options for fans on their web site. Cheaper=
too.
Mine are from their stores.. Not all on the web site are available at th=
eir
stores
The rear fan was connected to the load side of the heatswitch then contr=
olled
by it's own switch, which I mounted on the fascia panel of the fridge in=
side.
This gives me the oportunity to switch off the additional fan at night, =
if I
wish.
The inside fan is controlled by a second switch again mounted on it's fa=
scia
panel.
Nothing is visible from the outside. The noise level is minimal. Though =
I
haven't spent over night. On removal of the unit, I increased the insula=
tion
at the rear of the fridge.
Foil covered insulation from Ace.Hard.
Prices aprox,
Fan 1 $15
Fan 2 $15
2 micro-switches. $5.00
Thermometer. $20.00.
Well worth the effort in my view.
Brian Kelly.
86 Westfalia.