Installing computer fans

Don't know about the car fridge but the idea with the caravan fridge is to suck the hot air out. Place the fan by the top vent blowing out and cool air will flow in via the bottom vent, one should do the job but having said that I installed two.Hooroo

I got a caravan from Vic and found that in teh NT (where I live) the fridge would not get below 10 degrees so I checked the fridge, levelled the van, rechecked the fridge and then took it to get serviced. Anyway ended up with brand new electrolux fridge (and a lighter wallet) and guess what, would not get below about 8 or 10 degrees.

So I installed a computer fan (12 volt) exhausting air out of an additional vent that I put in the van wall. The fridge now works better (only just acceptable ) and the fan only draws 0.2 amps so can be run on battery for a long time. Fan cost about $20.00 from and electrical store like Dick Smiths or Tandy.

Sean

Wal,

There are a number of solar vents that would do this job, but some are expensive, and you would have to cut a hole in roof of 'van(there's usually enough there once it rains), and the van needs to be in the sun. At night they work as a passive vent.

These are available from marine supplies such as Whitworths. Also available are bilge blowers, which shift plenty of air, but have current draw of nearly 3 amps to do so. Computer fans wouldn't be as hungry as this. Hooroo...

Hi guys.

I recently purchased a solar fridge fan from the 12 Volt shop for $80.

Installation instructions were to remove the bottom external vent to the fridge and use the supplied plastic tie straps to secure the fan to the inside on the opposite side to the flame.

The reasoning is that ,all that is required is the movement of air up thru the coil and the cooling vent.

It is not a suction fan, for a fan to suck it has to be a very large, and with size come power consumption.

I do not have a thermometer in my fridge but I can say that I always have ice cubes to put into my drinks :-)

The small solar panel is about the size of an A4 sheet of paper and it still works under overcast conditions, albeit not as fast, but still quite efficient.

Hope this helps

It won't help if you already have a fridge, BUT if you are considering upgrading a c'van frig go for 12v (eg Vitrifrigo or Waeco). It won't run on gas, but in every other respect it is superior-
1. runs off level 2. works even when it's 40 degrees celsius 3. It'll make ice 30 mins after turning on 4. draws about 2.5 to 3 amps for about 50 percent duty cycle vs 12 amps continuous for a 3 way frig. (ie about 1 tenth as much electricity consumed.
I ditched a nearly brand new Electrolux in December (sold it in the Trading Post) and went for a 130litre Vitrifrigo- bloody fantastic compared to the useless bloody Electrolux!!
I would never buy another 3 way unless I absolutely HAD to run on gas.
PS. One 80 watt solar panel comfortably runs the frig- beats running out of gas...... and the frig WORKS!!!!

12 volt computer fan fits horizontaly inside vent next to temp dial,,just run wires + and - to 12 volt power source ,check to see that fan is extracting NOT blowing air ... in archives look under fridges/ chescold/axel/ ,,june ,july last year?? power draw for fan if remember correctly is 0.14amps . cost of fan is $11/13 at most computer repair shops.

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