Connecting fridge fan

Ian, I fitted two 'silent' computer fans Gelid Solutions Silent 6CM 60mm Fan Cooler Case PC Computer Cooling 3 Pin Quiet | eBay

Seperate on/off switch to turn fans on 5 x 12V ON/OFF Switch Car Smart Switch Round Rocker Van/Dash/Boat LED/Light BLUE | eBay

One of these: 3in1 Digital LED Display Temperature Thermostat Refrigeration Heating Controller | eBay

I found it a bit fiddly to do but a numpty like me did it and it worked a treat. It certainly made a difference, one hot day it dropped the temperature 5 degrees.

If I can find the pics I will post them.

Thanks. Sadly the delivery on the last item is not until late April/May. too late for us.
 
fridge fan

View attachment 61970View attachment 61971View attachment 61972 these three pictures show the top of my Dometic fridge with the internal fridge wiring, I tapped into the 12 volt as marked. My temperature control I mounted on the front fascia on the left and a rocket switch on the right to isolate the fans. I clipped temperature probe to the radiator fins at the rear of the fridge.

Hi
Is this the same unit you used.. 12V Digital LED Display Temperature Controller Thermostat w/ Sensor MH1210A ://uk.suntekstore.com/goods.php?id=14009051&utm_source=gbuk&utm_medium=paid

I note it says voltage 12v + or - 10%. How is yours managing, as charging voltage exceeds this at 14.4V. Have you added something to limit voltage?
 
Hi
Is this the same unit you used.. 12V Digital LED Display Temperature Controller Thermostat w/ Sensor MH1210A ://uk.suntekstore.com/goods.php?id=14009051&utm_source=gbuk&utm_medium=paid

I note it says voltage 12v + or - 10%. How is yours managing, as charging voltage exceeds this at 14.4V. Have you added something to limit voltage?
Yes - no issues so far, fitted it last year.
 
Ian, I fitted two 'silent' computer fans Gelid Solutions Silent 6CM 60mm Fan Cooler Case PC Computer Cooling 3 Pin Quiet | eBay

Seperate on/off switch to turn fans on 5 x 12V ON/OFF Switch Car Smart Switch Round Rocker Van/Dash/Boat LED/Light BLUE | eBay

One of these: 3in1 Digital LED Display Temperature Thermostat Refrigeration Heating Controller | eBay

I found it a bit fiddly to do but a numpty like me did it and it worked a treat. It certainly made a difference, one hot day it dropped the temperature 5 degrees.

If I can find the pics I will post them.

Just be aware that the controller In the link is 240v not 12v
D
 
I fitted one of these to my fans, the temperature probe can be extended to lay on top of the fins on the back of the fridge

s-l1600.jpg
 
I used an Audrino Micro Computer to switch mine on and off. It has a control panel which shows the temp in the area behind the fridge and shows if the fans are on high or low speed or off. I have three fans connected and a temp sensor. Nothing happens until it gets to 30 degrees. Then the fans switch on to low speed. If the temp still rises and gets beyond 38 degrees then the fans switch on to high speed. To stop the fans oscillating on and off they switch on for 4 minutes before the program checks the temp again.

First trial in Spain last year showed that the fridge temp can reach 36 degrees and the fans on low speed can drop the temp down to 30 degrees. On really warm days or if the fridge vents are in the sun then you can get 40 degrees behind the fridge. Fans on high would lower the temp but it struggled to get down to 30 degrees.
 
What a long way round to do things,12v behind switch at fridge which is about 1ft away.
By connecting to the 12v supply to the fridge doesn't this mean that the fan will only get power when the engine is running and powering the 12v supply to the fridge of and not all the time ie when on gas from eg?
Thanks
G
 
By connecting to the 12v supply to the fridge doesn't this mean that the fan will only get power when the engine is running and powering the 12v supply to the fridge of and not all the time ie when on gas from eg?
Thanks
G

No there is a permanent 12 v feed for the igniter, separate to how you are thinking

Channa
 
I’ve installed my fan now, I’m just wondering where is the best place to put the temperature sensor? I find if I put it just in front it between the fins and the fans when you switch it on what happens is the fans draw the warm air over it from the fridge and send the temp reading up so you are not really able to balance it.
Thankg
 
I’ve installed my fan now, I’m just wondering where is the best place to put the temperature sensor? I find if I put it just in front it between the fins and the fans when you switch it on what happens is the fans draw the warm air over it from the fridge and send the temp reading up so you are not really able to balance it.
Thankg
I clipped mine to the radiator fins, conduction beats convection!
 
The point of the temerature sensor is to detect warmth in the area that the fans cool.
So it should be in the area between the fridge's warm fins and the top vent.
If that area gets warm, it should turn the fans on until that area gets cool again.
That's what it is for!

This is what I’ve done, however putting it between the fins and fans doesn’t exactly work properly if you are using a temperature type controller like the ones mentioned earlier in this thread because when you fit the sensor where you say the fans pull the warm air from the fins over it sending the readings up. However fitting it like torwood has said now works!
 
Late onto this thread as usual.

First up the fan should be placed so that it blows cold air sucked in from the outside - so close to the bottom vent if possible but above the bottom baffle.
Second, the fan air should be blown over the cooling fins and out of the top vent. Sucking warm air is not as effective as blowing cold air!!!
Third, the installation should be in accordance with the fridge designers requirements - not the vehicle builder's cheapest method. There should be two baffles on the back of the fridge that creates a chimney effect. The lower baffle should direct cold air to the lower part of the fridge and ensuring that the "chimney" draws. The top baffle should direct heat out of the top vent.
If you goto https://caravanandmotorhomebooks.com/make-caravan-fridges-work-as-claimed/ you can find detailed information on fitting, fans and baffles.
 

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