Fridge performance in Hot Weather

[AnthonyCambs]

Hi

While I was away on my first trip in the van I was chatting to a neighbour who was very helpful, he mentioned that If i went abroad (which i am in July, South of France) it would be worth putting two small 12v fans into the fridge vents, one blowing in and one blowing out. This will help the fridge, has anyone else done this? If i do this will it mess my warrenty up?

I would love to hear your views.

Regards

Anthony

 

[Bigmac1]

I don't know if that would be needed. Where would you get the fans to fit the vents from? secondly which one is in and which one is out. Common sense would tell me the top one is out and the bottom one is in but you never know and if you get it wrong!!!

 

[RayS]

Hi, I use my van in france most years and have never had a problem with cooling, including in temperatures in the mid 30s C.

All my vans have had fridge on the non-awning side, which probably means the fridge is on the cool side anyway, but if you keep the vents clear and increase the temperature setting a bit if the weather is really hot, this should be OK. I'm assuming fridge is running on mains electric and not on gas, but it really shouldn't matter. Make sure you have removed the winter vent covers if you have fitted them. HID says to remind you that increasing the temperature setting as i have suggested my freeze eggs if it gets a bit cool overnight and the eggs are in the top of the door, or on the shelf immediately under the freezer box..

 

[MikeJE]

The June issue of the Caravan Club magazine has a letter on this subject - the writer mounted two fans, both on extract I would guess, on a board which was then hung on the outside of the 'fridge vents. The magazine suggested they would be more effective placed inside the vents. I believe fan units made for the job are available.

 

[scot_374309176]

hi there i go to france most years never had a problem but i usally take the vents off and give them a good clean sometimes you get a little build up of dust ditr etc. good luck scot

 

[MikeAce]

I fitted a pair of fans to my van a couple of years ago and it makes a hell of a difference in hot weather.

I fitted a pair (linked together) of pc fans on the bottom vent blowing air inwards, this pulls cool air onto the back of the fridge pushing the hot air out of the top vent.

it cost

 

[ProfJohnL]

The fitting of an additional fan or fans for hot weather has been discussed many times before. My impression is that the balance of opinion was that they do make a difference.

The type of fan is a personal choice as all they will be doing is moving air, but there are numerous shops now dealing with computers, and the axil fans for computers are great, they are now relatively low cost, and they are ready for 12V operation. A 100mm (4") fan will be pretty quiet, and easily mounted, and they have long life bearings.

For safety the fans should be fitted to the hot outlet grille (Top). This will ensure the fridge cavity is under very slight negative pressure and thus prevent any possible fumes from the fridge finding their way into the living space of the caravan through the cupboards.

Internal or external? This is really a matter of personal preference, or accessibility to fit and maintain them. Internally they are there all the time, but they will present a reduction vent area unless they are running.

External , they can be fitted to a board that can be hooked over the grill, which is easy to remove fr towing or when the weather is cooler.

As none of the above interferers directly with the fridge or the caravan structure no warranty issues should arise.

 

[ProfJohnL]

I don't know if that would be needed. Where would you get the fans to fit the vents from? secondly which one is in and which one is out. Common sense would tell me the top one is out and the bottom one is in but you never know and if you get it wrong!!!

Hi Bigmac,

Please read my answer below, Your inkling is right about which is in and out, and the reason is quite logical. The fridge uses convection to achieve the necessary cooling of the condenser phase of the refrigerant cycle, and most people will know form experience or school science that hot air rises.

Equally it would be easily checked by feeling the grills when the fridge is running.

 

[IanMc]

The fridge on my new van is on the awning side. Not used in hot weather, but after reading this do you think I will need to do anything to help cooling during the summer whilst the awning is up. (if we get one this year)

Regards

Ian

 

[Mikey1]

Putting the fans on the vents at the top so air is pulled through does work.I couldnt get the fridge cold on electric in the south of france only on gas,i fitted 2 12v fans on the inside of the vent attached with cable ties so the air was extracted and the fidge was so much better on electric.

 

[vernon]

I fitted a 12 vdc computer fan in line with an isolating switch and an adjustable thermostat set at 30 degs extracting hot air from the top vent. It certainly appears to help the fridge in the South of France, it switches itself off at night and comes on again as the day warms up.

Hopefully it will have some work to do for 7 weeks starting next Monday!

 

[Rodger Dodger]

I have the fridge vent fans from C.A.K. still boxed, if you would like them then, make me an offer for them.

I live in Oxfordshire but travel around Bucks, Berks, Oxon, Wilts nad Herts.

If this helps then let me know, then your fridge will run cooler.

 

[ProfJohnL]

I fitted a 12 vdc computer fan in line with an isolating switch and an adjustable thermostat set at 30 degs extracting hot air from the top vent. It certainly appears to help the fridge in the South of France, it switches itself off at night and comes on again as the day warms up.

Hopefully it will have some work to do for 7 weeks starting next Monday!

Good solution.