Refrigerator cooling fans

[Fred Bellows]

Hank and Chuck, are you running on AC, propane, or DC in those hot
summer situations? Also, how old is fridge? Because I have a 90SP and
I think the Dometic is original (not sure the model #), and I had
troubles keeping it cool on our trip in July (~50 midday in fridge-
went down to ~37 at night, but then creeped back up). (on both AC and
propane) Was planning on adding these discussed fans and shrouds. I
bought a little 2D cell fan to sit inside to stir up a little, but
very marginal improvement. Should I do fans or consider a new unit? I
would really like it to function properly on our next long summer trek.

Thanx,


Fred Bellows
90SP
Phx, AZ

[Curt Sprenger]

Fred,

Our frig., 21 years old, was doing what you describe. Following the suggestion here, I put two of the 2D fans inside on the top shelf. When parked, I make sure that air can circulate along the inside walls of the frig. Next I installed one computer fan at the top of the vent, along with a thermostat that I set at 85 degrees. Next was the shroud.


On a 90 degree day the frig. runs about 37 degrees. Overnight it gets down to 27 degrees. That's running on AC or Propane. Cooler days require the frig. thermostat to be set higher (warmer), or the food will freeze at night. This was a cheap fix, for now.

On Tue, Sep 9, 2008 at 2:06 PM, Fred Bellows <"nytexcel@yahoo.com"> wrote:

Hank and Chuck, are you running on AC, propane, or DC in those hot

summer situations? Also, how old is fridge? Because I have a 90SP and

I think the Dometic is original (not sure the model #), and I had

troubles keeping it cool on our trip in July (~50 midday in fridge-

went down to ~37 at night, but then creeped back up). (on both AC and

propane) Was planning on adding these discussed fans and shrouds. I

bought a little 2D cell fan to sit inside to stir up a little, but

very marginal improvement. Should I do fans or consider a new unit? I

would really like it to function properly on our next long summer trek.



Thanx,



Fred Bellows

90SP

Phx, AZ

--
Curt Sprenger
1987 PT38 8V92 "MacAttack Racing"
Anaheim Hills, CA

[Henry Jay Hannigan]

my dometic is six yrs old....if yours is original, thats 18 yrs old
and seen its better days......you r lucky it lasted that long...in my
opinion.....
Regards,
Hank
90SP36 with 6 yr old Dometic



--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Fred Bellows"
wrote:
>
> Hank and Chuck, are you running on AC, propane, or DC in those hot
> summer situations? Also, how old is fridge? Because I have a 90SP
and
> I think the Dometic is original (not sure the model #), and I had
> troubles keeping it cool on our trip in July (~50 midday in fridge-
> went down to ~37 at night, but then creeped back up). (on both AC
and
> propane) Was planning on adding these discussed fans and shrouds. I
> bought a little 2D cell fan to sit inside to stir up a little, but
> very marginal improvement. Should I do fans or consider a new unit?
I
> would really like it to function properly on our next long summer
trek.
>
> Thanx,
>
>
> Fred Bellows
> 90SP
> Phx, AZ
>

[Kurt Horvath]

Curt,

After the vent fans were installed I have the same situation as you.
I had to turn up the thermostat, no problem there.

I usually have the same results with gas or 120v..

The problem now is when I'm running the road the fridge losses it
ability to cool. The only thing I can think of is the vent on the
roof is at a 40 degree angle to the wind and it maybe acting like an
air scoop.

I'm not sure how it would affect the cooling, but I do know if it's
happening the air flow is backwards.

I would like a new unit but at $4500.00 I'll keep trying to fix this
one for a while.

If you guys and gals are thinking about a new fridge, just pop the
windshield out. In two years. I've replaced both sides and had the
right side out on another occasion. If you go to the right shop it's
maybe 1 hour per side to remove and replace. Not a big deal.

Any thoughts??? Anybody.

Kurt Horvath
95-PT 42
10AC


--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Henry Jay Hannigan"
wrote:
>
> my dometic is six yrs old....if yours is original, thats 18 yrs old
> and seen its better days......you r lucky it lasted that long...in
my
> opinion.....
> Regards,
> Hank
> 90SP36 with 6 yr old Dometic
>
>
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Fred Bellows"
> wrote:
> >
> > Hank and Chuck, are you running on AC, propane, or DC in those hot
> > summer situations? Also, how old is fridge? Because I have a 90SP
> and
> > I think the Dometic is original (not sure the model #), and I had
> > troubles keeping it cool on our trip in July (~50 midday in
fridge-
> > went down to ~37 at night, but then creeped back up). (on both AC
> and
> > propane) Was planning on adding these discussed fans and
shrouds. I
> > bought a little 2D cell fan to sit inside to stir up a little, but
> > very marginal improvement. Should I do fans or consider a new
unit?
> I
> > would really like it to function properly on our next long summer
> trek.
> >
> > Thanx,
> >
> >
> > Fred Bellows
> > 90SP
> > Phx, AZ
> >
>

[Chuck Wheeler]

I am usually running on propane. I place one of those small fans on the bottom shelf inside to keep the cooling even. This is NOT the original Dometic. it is about 4 years old.

- Chuck Wheeler-

FC 31SB Fort Worth TX

---

From: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com [mailto:WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Henry Jay Hannigan
Sent: Tuesday, September 09, 2008 7:03 PM
To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: Refrigerator cooling fans

my dometic is six yrs old....if yours is original, thats 18 yrs old
and seen its better days......you r lucky it lasted that long...in my
opinion.....
Regards,
Hank
90SP36 with 6 yr old Dometic

--- In "WanderlodgeForum%40yahoogroups.com", "Fred Bellows"
.> wrote:
>
> Hank and Chuck, are you running on AC, propane, or DC in those hot
> summer situations? Also, how old is fridge? Because I have a 90SP
and
> I think the Dometic is original (not sure the model #), and I had
> troubles keeping it cool on our trip in July (~50 midday in fridge-
> went down to ~37 at night, but then creeped back up). (on both AC
and
> propane) Was planning on adding these discussed fans and shrouds. I
> bought a little 2D cell fan to sit inside to stir up a little, but
> very marginal improvement. Should I do fans or consider a new unit?
I
> would really like it to function properly on our next long summer
trek.
>
> Thanx,
>
>
> Fred Bellows
> 90SP
> Phx, AZ
>

[Gregory OConnor]

these are linksa link to a good site for amonia refer trouble shooting. they have a forum and models of how the refer makes cold out of a flame. Adding active ventalation helps if ther is a vent issue but all you need is that which facilitates the passive cooling.

I kinda think too much added fan cooling will require more heat to boil the amonia. I wonder if the refer uses more energy in the winter and if some folks push it to use more energy in the summer by over cooling??? like too much of a good thing???

GregoryO'Connor 94ptRomolandCa

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Chuck Wheeler" wrote:
>
> I am usually running on propane. I place one of those small fans on the
> bottom shelf inside to keep the cooling even. This is NOT the original
> Dometic. it is about 4 years old.
>
> - Chuck Wheeler-
> FC 31SB Fort Worth TX
>
>
> _____
>
> From: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
> [mailto:WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Henry Jay Hannigan
> Sent: Tuesday, September 09, 2008 7:03 PM
> To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: Refrigerator cooling fans
>
>
>
> my dometic is six yrs old....if yours is original, thats 18 yrs old
> and seen its better days......you r lucky it lasted that long...in my
> opinion.....
> Regards,
> Hank
> 90SP36 with 6 yr old Dometic
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@
> yahoogroups.com, "Fred Bellows"
> nytexcel@ wrote:
> >
> > Hank and Chuck, are you running on AC, propane, or DC in those hot
> > summer situations? Also, how old is fridge? Because I have a 90SP
> and
> > I think the Dometic is original (not sure the model #), and I had
> > troubles keeping it cool on our trip in July (~50 midday in fridge-
> > went down to ~37 at night, but then creeped back up). (on both AC
> and
> > propane) Was planning on adding these discussed fans and shrouds. I
> > bought a little 2D cell fan to sit inside to stir up a little, but
> > very marginal improvement. Should I do fans or consider a new unit?
> I
> > would really like it to function properly on our next long summer
> trek.
> >
> > Thanx,
> >
> >
> > Fred Bellows
> > 90SP
> > Phx, AZ
> >
>

[erniecarpet@...]

Fred, I have an apartment size regular refrig in my coach. We don't dry camp so there is no problem. Been operating great for 3 years.

Ernie Ekberg
83PT40
Livingston, Montana

---

Psssst...Have you heard the news? There's a new fashion blog, plus the latest fall trends and hair styles at StyleList.com.

[Fred Bellows]

So, I think I'm hearing that the older Dometics just don't work too
well when it's really hot. I live in Phx and plan to travel all over
the southwest, in the summer. We're talkin' over 100 most days. It
seems like I should either buy a newer unit (but they're amazingly
expensive!), or resign myself to having an ice chest on the floor of
the kitchen, to have truly cold drinks. ? What about an electric-only
"studio-apartment fridge" that would fit in the same spot. I would
have to run it off of the inverter while driving and dry camping
(unless the genie is on), but it seems like it might get fully cold.
And I could seal up and insulate the existing fridge intake vent
panel. Perhaps install a fan to circulate interior coach air to back
of fridge. These fridges are only about $200. Has anyone tried this?

Thanx,

Fred Bellows
90SP
Phx, AZ

[Ryan Wright]

I don't think this issue has anything to do with the age of the unit.
Mine is fairly new (I'd have to check the records to be exact, but
previous owners replaced it in the past several years) and still
failed to cool adequately on a hot day until I added the fans in the
vent stack to pull hot air out. Now it cools perfectly, even in 110
degree weather.

The problem as I understand it is really basic: These reefers have a
convection type of process going on and that doesn't work very well if
the entire compartment is the same temperature you're trying to heat
it to in order to run the process. Cool down the compartment a bit and
the problem goes away. Our coaches came with fridge cooling fans for a
reason. If your fans aren't working, replace them and the problem will
be solved. A new fridge is not likely to solve this problem in the
long term. All ammonia type reefers work the same way and will have
the same problem.

So, if your unit won't cool on hot days but works fine otherwise, and
if you're sure the coach is level, here are the cheap and easy steps
to fixing it:

1. Make sure the factory installed fan circuit is working. Turn the
switch on inside the coach and verify the fan in the exterior
compartment behind the fridge is spinning fast and moving air. If it's
not, fix it. Problem is likely the fan itself or the thermo-switch,
both are easy and cheap to replace.

2. If your fan is spinning and making little difference, upgrade it. I
climbed on the roof of the coach, removed the fridge stack vent cover
and installed three high CFM computer fans in the top of the vent
stack oriented to suck air OUT of the stack. They were about $12 each.
I hooked them up to the original fan circuit. All of my fridge cooling
problems disappeared. This took me just a couple of hours to do start
to finish including cleanup and putting tools away. A very easy job.

3. If this doesn't help, you have more serious issues with your fridge
and should have it looked at by a qualified tech. However, if it's
cooling fine when it's not so hot outside, there is probably nothing
wrong with it, you just need working fans.

Don't spend a bunch of money replacing your fridge and don't cut down
the value and versatility of your coach by replacing it with a cheap
$200 electric fridge when $20-$30 worth of computer fans will solve
this problem for you. Once you get the fans installed, just leave the
fan switch in the on position all summer long. The thermo-switch will
turn the fans on and off as needed.

-Ryan
'86 PT-40 8V92