fridge compressor cooling

Submitted: Tuesday, Jan 31, 2006 at 08:57
ThreadID: 30279 Views:2344 Replies:4 FollowUps:9
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This year my Trailblaza will be operating in continuous freeze mode in higher ambient temperature.
From the Danfoss site, connections are shown on the electronic controller for a cooling fan.
My query is, can any of the fridge experts (there are some here) please tell me whether the requirement is to cool the compressor, electronic control box, both, or simply to blow air through a condensor coil (which the trailblaza does not have).
The fan will only run when the compressor is running, and the supply for the fan is 12v.,0.5a. (2a. for 2 sec. startup), so it is designed to run a low current computor type fan only.
thanks kesh
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Reply By: Gerry - Tuesday, Jan 31, 2006 at 09:26

Tuesday, Jan 31, 2006 at 09:26
Hi kesh,

The primary purpose is to keep the condenser cool and thus reduce the internal head pressure within the refrigerant circuit. If you get some cooling over the electronics, I guess that's a bonus but is not usually a problem. Since hot air rises, it's best to induce an air circulation in an upward direction if possible.

Cheers
Gerry
AnswerID: 152020

Reply By: Member No 1- Tuesday, Jan 31, 2006 at 10:01

Tuesday, Jan 31, 2006 at 10:01
experts!...who?

yep as gerry said....you may get a little extra performance as the discharge piping where it leaves the compressor and before it enters the insulation, would be in the airstream but it would be neglible....some say it helps the compressor but they are designed to run hot....
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Follow Up By: OLDMAGPIE - Tuesday, Jan 31, 2006 at 12:06

Tuesday, Jan 31, 2006 at 12:06
from nudenut to member no 1 id like to see that
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Follow Up By: Member No 1- Tuesday, Jan 31, 2006 at 12:53

Tuesday, Jan 31, 2006 at 12:53
you just have!!
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Reply By: Wok - Tuesday, Jan 31, 2006 at 11:51

Tuesday, Jan 31, 2006 at 11:51
Kesh,

Fitted a blower[Jaycar]...made no measurable[significant] improvement in cycle-time. The biggest improvement was in modifying the lid.

eng
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Follow Up By: kesh - Tuesday, Jan 31, 2006 at 15:57

Tuesday, Jan 31, 2006 at 15:57
Wok, thanks. Some years ago I fitted a piece of 3 ply under the lid (screws into the alloy) then glued a 25mm. thick poly foam insert cut to neatly fit in the fridge compartment.
I think I posted about it somewhere.
This made a very significant reduction in the heat transfer inwards from the top of the lid.
It also used to have heavy condensation on the lid early morning, which made me think about the heat transfer possibility. The way the lid is fabricated with the alloy wrapped around (no barrier) causes the problem.
Thanks also for the good advice from others. I know very little about refrigeration, but have read somewhere that the compressor operates around 55deg.C, which is higher than most ambients.
I will probably use the fan for more personal purposes
kesh
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Follow Up By: gramps - Tuesday, Jan 31, 2006 at 16:09

Tuesday, Jan 31, 2006 at 16:09
"I will probably use the fan for more personal purposes"

Don't go getting all kinky on us now Kesh :)))
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Follow Up By: kesh - Tuesday, Jan 31, 2006 at 19:43

Tuesday, Jan 31, 2006 at 19:43
Good one Gramps, you were right on to me.
And I must confess (member No.1, aka nudenut) its not often I need to be fed a sandwich!

So that leaves me with very limited explanation or I just get in deeper.

Perhaps I should simply say that the missus and I still get on very well together (without chemical stimulant), but with a 68 yr. old thermostat and radiator one could need the thermostatic fan cutting in now and then. At 100mm. diameter sure hope its good enough!
kesh
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Follow Up By: gramps - Tuesday, Jan 31, 2006 at 19:55

Tuesday, Jan 31, 2006 at 19:55
LOL best just to say "Bugger off, gramps" and leave it at that :)))) None of us are getting any younger mate. As long as we're still gettin out there, that's all that matters.

Cheers
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Reply By: Member - Brian (Gold Coast) - Tuesday, Jan 31, 2006 at 20:35

Tuesday, Jan 31, 2006 at 20:35
The cooling fan in a Trailblaza is to cool the electronic box...... nothing to do with the condensor.
AnswerID: 152130

Follow Up By: kesh - Wednesday, Feb 01, 2006 at 07:34

Wednesday, Feb 01, 2006 at 07:34
Thanks Brian.
Are Trailblaza now incorporating a fan in current models?
I would think the electronics have thermal protection (overload drop out) but one would not know if and when occurred. It would be similar to the cycling of the compressor? (but not at the same time)
I could ask them for details I expect.
kesh
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Follow Up By: Member - Brian (Gold Coast) - Wednesday, Feb 01, 2006 at 07:43

Wednesday, Feb 01, 2006 at 07:43
Ours has the fan, it's 2 1/2 years old, a friend has a 7 year old one that didn't have it till he replaced the compressor and fitted the fan then. It's really a small computer type fan than cools the electronic box only.

Trailblaza are very helpful, give them a call and I am sure they'll help you.
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Follow Up By: kesh - Wednesday, Feb 01, 2006 at 08:19

Wednesday, Feb 01, 2006 at 08:19
Thanks Brian, looks like the fan will have a use after all.
I have had mine to pieces, moved the thermostat control from the top to the side. It is in the back of the 75 tray, and I could not always see the setting. Now it is straight in front of me.
I will probably move the electronic box, it is high up where the heat is greatest so will arrange cool outside air to blow directly on it.
Yes, Trailblaza are very good to deal with, have spoken to Margaret on a few occassions.
My unit is over 12, bought new, no operational problems. Usually take the back off every couple of years to blow the dust out, it really builds up.
cheers kesh
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