Solar vents

Submitted: Wednesday, Dec 23, 2009 at 20:33

ThreadID: 74606 Views:3248 Replies:6 FollowUps:5

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Jimmy88

G'day. I have 12/240v fridge/freezer in the back of my car and found that if the temperature outside the car was around 35-40 deg my freezer could only cool to around 2-3 deg normally, maybe 0 deg if I'm lucky. I do run the air con, but by the time I make stops here and there and the air con goes off (and usually the car is in the sun), the freezer is running flat out and never is able to actually freeze. I have looked at installing a solar vent or maybe even a couple. Are these effective? Do they cool the car down at all if its parked in the sun? Are there any other ways I can make my freezer run more efficiently in warmer climates? Thanks, hope you can help!

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Reply By: Notso - Wednesday, Dec 23, 2009 at 21:10

Wednesday, Dec 23, 2009 at 21:10

Sounds like there may be something amiss in the freezer.

I run mine the same way, an EVA Kool and it'll hold -12 to -14 in any temp.

Any air circulation you get will help to cool the vehicle down, it might help.

AnswerID: 396233

Follow Up By: Crackles - Wednesday, Dec 23, 2009 at 22:12

Wednesday, Dec 23, 2009 at 22:12

Sounds pretty right to me. The majority of fridge/freezers are running flat out by the time the temp hits 40 & inside a parked car it could be 50+. A solar vent would at least lower the temp inside to around ambiant. Ventilation around the fridge & keeping it shaded from direct sunlight would help otherwise choosing a brand suitable for tropical use (like a Trailblazer/EVA Kool/Autofridge) may be the best option.
Cheers Craig............

FollowupID: 664965

Follow Up By: Mark Howlett - Wednesday, Dec 23, 2009 at 22:51

Wednesday, Dec 23, 2009 at 22:51

Notso is your Evakool a new one or the older design where the evaporator plate completely circles the freezer - the new ones only have 3 sides.

Cheers,

Mark.

FollowupID: 664972

Follow Up By: Notso - Thursday, Dec 24, 2009 at 07:13

Thursday, Dec 24, 2009 at 07:13

Mine is 9 years old but the plate is only on three sides. The compressor unit is built into the box, not attached to the side.

FollowupID: 664997

Follow Up By: Mark Howlett - Thursday, Dec 24, 2009 at 22:26

Thursday, Dec 24, 2009 at 22:26

Thanks for that. It appears they have gone backwards with the compressor on the side - certainly not as cohesive as your old one and engels, waeco's etc.

FollowupID: 665092

Reply By: Haza - Wednesday, Dec 23, 2009 at 21:56

Wednesday, Dec 23, 2009 at 21:56

Do you have a fridge bag,
Is sun directly getting on the fridge if so put some window shades on or even better use that silver insulation.
Are the fridge motor vents clear.
On real hot days I add a towel on top of my fridge to help.

AnswerID: 396238

Reply By: Member - Teege (NSW) - Wednesday, Dec 23, 2009 at 23:16

Wednesday, Dec 23, 2009 at 23:16

Sounds to me like you might be in Darwin or thereabouts. If so ventilation is an absolute must. Have you given the fridge room to breathe? As well as trying to keep the ambient temperature down you also have to ensure that the air can flow around the motor. When in those climes I have the fridge motor sitting immediately under one of the air con vents. I know that's not always possible but it certainly works.

teege

AnswerID: 396247

Reply By: PradOz - Thursday, Dec 24, 2009 at 00:31

Thursday, Dec 24, 2009 at 00:31

I agree with the fridge bag. Inoyticed a huge difference in cooling once I added the bag to my collection. For the few years prior the fridge would really only act as a fridge in the car and sometimes not so good. My waeco fridge drops low enough now to use as a freezer even in the car in the sun, Sometimes i lay one of those silver car windscreen protectors over it as well if its a really hot day....

AnswerID: 396254

Reply By: Member - Mike DID - Thursday, Dec 24, 2009 at 08:42

Thursday, Dec 24, 2009 at 08:42

I've installed a computer-type 12 fan over one of the air outlets at the back of the Pajero, so it will push out the hot air, forcing fresh air to come in through the normal inlets.

This definitely stops oven effect when you get back into the car after it's been parked in the sun with all windows closed.

They draw so little current that it will have no effect on battery capacity.

It used to be really easy on the Gen 2 Pajero where the outlets were above the Tail Lights. Now the outlets are in the mudguard behind the bumper and hard to get at.

AnswerID: 396271

Reply By: Atta Boy Luther - Thursday, Dec 24, 2009 at 09:52

Thursday, Dec 24, 2009 at 09:52

There is only one way to keep the heat out of the vehicle and that is to stop it coming thru the roof in the first place .This is what i use . its so cool

AnswerID: 396278