I go to Italy every summer, I noticed last year the fridge was struggling during the day due to the temperature, This year I will use some computer fans to cool the fridge, I have already tested the fans with the thermostat and every thing seems fine,I have also have a large fan is it worth using this as an heat extractor fan or am I going overboard?
Fridge fan's
- Thread starter Percy1
- Start date
I've used a 50 mm computer fan with a thermostat set at 30 degs mounted over the cooling fins for the past two years in France, that appears to be sufficient.
Hi Percy
Like Venon I too use a couple of 50mm computer fans and they are coupled via thermostat. I have stuck them to the inside of the upper fridge vent using number plate adhesives and they work fine, drawing the warm air out and replacing it with cool air coming in on the lower vent.
Rob
Like Venon I too use a couple of 50mm computer fans and they are coupled via thermostat. I have stuck them to the inside of the upper fridge vent using number plate adhesives and they work fine, drawing the warm air out and replacing it with cool air coming in on the lower vent.
Rob
Hi Percy,
I don't know if this will help, but I have a CAK fridge fan still boxed and un used for helping to keep fridges working better in hotter temperatures.
PM me if you would care to make me an offer for it, if you so wish, lets talk about it if it would help you out.
Regards
Dodger
I don't know if this will help, but I have a CAK fridge fan still boxed and un used for helping to keep fridges working better in hotter temperatures.
PM me if you would care to make me an offer for it, if you so wish, lets talk about it if it would help you out.
Regards
Dodger
Like Vernon and Rob I have 2 pc fans on the inside of the fridge vents. One on the bottom vent pulling air in and the other on the top drawing air out. Don't forget to get them the right way round. Mine are in series so they run a bit slower but very quietly.They make a big difference.
Ron
Ron
Fridge fans will undoubtedly help but you can make life easier for the fridge by trying to keep it as cool as possible. Try to ensure it is not on the van side facing the sun for most of the day and if you can get that side under shade, even better. Also loading the fridge with a lot of food needing cooling during the hot part of the day will of course make it work harder. Try to load it up in the evening when it can use the cool?? of the night to work. Also do not put food across the cooling fins inside as this will restrict the efficiency. Another 'trick' is to remove the vent covers altogether as that will increase the cooling surface by about 40%.
In the hot Med we also use a cool box for drinks and wine as this again eases pressure on the main fridge.
Remember most of us have adsorbtion fridges, not compressor types, so they will work harder in heat. If by any chance you have the fridge located beside the oven then of course using that will make the poor fridge complain bitterly, but of course you do not need an oven in the heat.
In the hot Med we also use a cool box for drinks and wine as this again eases pressure on the main fridge.
Remember most of us have adsorbtion fridges, not compressor types, so they will work harder in heat. If by any chance you have the fridge located beside the oven then of course using that will make the poor fridge complain bitterly, but of course you do not need an oven in the heat.
Fridge fans definitely help in warmer climates. I fitted a set to mine two years ago, unfortunately I 'm not as clever with electrics as the previous posters as I had to buy a purpose made kit from Milenco and no doubt paid a lot more for the privilige.
Robert
Robert
I fitted a fridge(computer fan) as outlined above a few days ago
Where can I get a thermostat as I now have it on manual switch with warning light
Maplins??
I also have a smaller fan to extract the hot air under the wardrobe from the back of the fire and that is manual and would benefit from a thermostat as well
Where can I get a thermostat as I now have it on manual switch with warning light
Maplins??
I also have a smaller fan to extract the hot air under the wardrobe from the back of the fire and that is manual and would benefit from a thermostat as well
I have used a house thermostat(old type thermostat-temperature gauge size of a 10p coin)-it's max is 30 Degrees C but it does the job, or the below link suggests an aquarium thermostat
http://www.caravanningnow.co.uk/caravanning/fagffan.htm
another option are Programmable Thermostat's they are about
http://www.caravanningnow.co.uk/caravanning/fagffan.htm
another option are Programmable Thermostat's they are about
Sorry to be thick but how do you wire a thermostat that is designed to cut out at a set high temp to cut in at a set high temp?
Do they have either/or terminals as standard
Do they have either/or terminals as standard
Good point John. Some have a set of changeover contacts where you can use a 'break' on high temperature or, in this case a 'make'.
Ron
This is a mod I would like to do. I have thought about it but did wonder where to pick up a 12v supply, I suppose there is usually one at the rear of the fridge. to answer someone elses query you use the n/o (normally open ) contacts of the thermostat. These close when the temperature is reached. Didn't I read somewhere that you should only have the fans blowing out to extract the hot air, if you blow in at the bottom you could be forcing fumes into the van. They are never perfectly sealed.
On the top of some/many fridges there is a connection block for 12V and one for 230V
The latest fridges have electronic controls with permanent 12V off the van battery that could be used
They as well as older fridges have 12V for fridge cooling off the car battery and this of course is no good for the fan when on site
The latest fridges have electronic controls with permanent 12V off the van battery that could be used
They as well as older fridges have 12V for fridge cooling off the car battery and this of course is no good for the fan when on site
I fitted the computer fans a few years ago and they worked a treat in Spain we also took the vent inserts out as well. I took the 12v straight from the battery and put in an inline fuse. In the fridge switch facing I put in an illuminated, when on, switch. It worked but I felt the fridge was still deficient.
But here is the interesting part, a couple of years ago we bought a secondhand 1992 Mardon caravan that we leave in storage in Spain. Thanks to the crappy weather prior to departure the computer fans were not fitted to the fridge vents but I packed the gubbins to do it when we got there. Within 2 days of 30c heat we discovered that we did not need to fit the fans as for the first time ever we were getting "dry" ice at lunchtime which never happened with fan assistance.
What the Mardon does have is an inch high 12 inch wide ventilation gap in the fridge housing at the bottom so I assume that the hot air escaping from the vents in the caravan wall is sucking in lots of cooler air from inside the caravan up past the elements. To add to this friends we meet on Holiday also store a newer Caravan in Spain and they complained about wet ice so we got the drill out and made 3 half inch holes in the panel at the bottom of the fridge housing and hey presto they no longer had wet ice........................... plus the distant sound of someone with a Flymo did not disturb the peace.
But here is the interesting part, a couple of years ago we bought a secondhand 1992 Mardon caravan that we leave in storage in Spain. Thanks to the crappy weather prior to departure the computer fans were not fitted to the fridge vents but I packed the gubbins to do it when we got there. Within 2 days of 30c heat we discovered that we did not need to fit the fans as for the first time ever we were getting "dry" ice at lunchtime which never happened with fan assistance.
What the Mardon does have is an inch high 12 inch wide ventilation gap in the fridge housing at the bottom so I assume that the hot air escaping from the vents in the caravan wall is sucking in lots of cooler air from inside the caravan up past the elements. To add to this friends we meet on Holiday also store a newer Caravan in Spain and they complained about wet ice so we got the drill out and made 3 half inch holes in the panel at the bottom of the fridge housing and hey presto they no longer had wet ice........................... plus the distant sound of someone with a Flymo did not disturb the peace.
Hello,
Just to reignite this thread:
I am planning to pop to Maplin tonight on my way home and pick up the bits n bobs. I know my way around a soldering iron, and I'm happy with the electronics side of things. My question is how easy / otherwise it was to access the back of the fridge?
I am new to caravanning (< 12 months) and have never really considered how my fridge is held in place. I have a new (Series 7) Bailey Pageant. Will it be a large job to get the firdge out, in order to get the thermostat / fans etc down the back?
I'm simply trying to decide whether to build the device and pop down to the storage yard tonight to fit it, or whether the fitting is a larger job?
Thanks in advance,
Vince.
Just to reignite this thread:
I am planning to pop to Maplin tonight on my way home and pick up the bits n bobs. I know my way around a soldering iron, and I'm happy with the electronics side of things. My question is how easy / otherwise it was to access the back of the fridge?
I am new to caravanning (< 12 months) and have never really considered how my fridge is held in place. I have a new (Series 7) Bailey Pageant. Will it be a large job to get the firdge out, in order to get the thermostat / fans etc down the back?
I'm simply trying to decide whether to build the device and pop down to the storage yard tonight to fit it, or whether the fitting is a larger job?
Thanks in advance,
Vince.
Hello Vince,
If you need to disconnect the gas supply to remove the fridge, then by law that can only be done a competent person working an accordance to the Gas Safety Regulations and Acops. It is not an amateur DIY job.
I have seen the fans you talk about fitted to the external vent, which can be accessed from outside.
If you need to disconnect the gas supply to remove the fridge, then by law that can only be done a competent person working an accordance to the Gas Safety Regulations and Acops. It is not an amateur DIY job.
I have seen the fans you talk about fitted to the external vent, which can be accessed from outside.
I still have the CAK tanks fan for sale, see earlier post,3 way switching - on/off/and thermostat switch, still boxed for anyone who may be thinking of fitting one.
PM me for details and make an offer.
Rodger
PM me for details and make an offer.
Rodger
Hi Rodger,
Thanks for the offer - I went to Maplin last night and purchsed / soldered the kit together. Tested it on a 12V supply and it seems to work.
Going to the 'van tonight to give it a test fitting. I'm hoping that I can install it via the vents from the outside....
Vince.
Thanks for the offer - I went to Maplin last night and purchsed / soldered the kit together. Tested it on a 12V supply and it seems to work.
Going to the 'van tonight to give it a test fitting. I'm hoping that I can install it via the vents from the outside....
Vince.
Anyone fitted a fan to a Thetford N112 fridge? I have had the vent grills off but it is not obvious which are the 12V cables. I have an overheating problem on my thetford which I have described in the Equipment thead.
Roger I know it`s been a few months now but do you still have the CAK Fridge fan kit, I`d be interested in it.
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