Waeco not getting down to wanted temp
Submitted: Thursday, Jul 12, 2012 at 18:46
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Member - barbara M (NSW)
Hi everyone!
I have done a search but could not find an answer so please don't bite me.
We are sitting up on the
Roper River and the temp is very hot 35 degrees today and our Waeco does not see to be able to get below -4 , we are a bit worried as the other day at
Lorella Springs it held -8 easily, it was not as hot as this but. So what I need to know is this normal or do I need to get it looked at in
Katherine before heading to the
Kimberley.
Thanks in advance.
Barb
PS we cannot fit an engel in the box on the Topaz so don't suggest that,
Reply By: SDG - Thursday, Jul 12, 2012 at 19:10
Thursday, Jul 12, 2012 at 19:10
The hotter it is outside, the harder it will be to get very low temps. Do you really need -8? What do you have in it.
If needed to go low, try putting fridge in the shade. Under car, tree etc.
Don't leave it sitting in the back of a car.
Make sure there is plenty of circulation.
AnswerID:
490744
Reply By: Ross M - Thursday, Jul 12, 2012 at 19:51
Thursday, Jul 12, 2012 at 19:51
As serendipity said most fridges are only designed to pull down to 45deg below the ambient temp.
From reading the post it seems you have it in a box on a Topaz. I can't think of a much hotter place to have a fridge and the surrounding air it is using to pass through the heat exchanger is already being heated by itself and the outside radiant heat onto the box.
1. Wrap heat reflecting/insulating material around the Topaz fridge box, tie it on, tape it on but do something to keep the suns radiant heat from getting to the box. Also fit a cooler bag or place a sleeping bag directly over the fridge to help its insulation, ensure fridge vent areas are not covered though. This will help.
and/or
2. The airflow through the Topaz box is possibly/probably minimal and if you have a computer fan running "full time" to pump as much air through the box as is practical will allow the heat exchanger of the fridge to try and do it's job of getting the heat from in the fridge.
or
3. Put the fridge in the vehicle where it might receive a cool air supply from open windows etc.
or
4. Put Fridge inside Topaz where it may be cooler during the day and open top vents if fitted to provide circulation inside the van.
The van designers idea of the fridge in the box is a questionable idea unless elaborate ventilation is also included in the design.
I would think the fridge is working as hard as it can and needs some help.
AnswerID:
490752
Reply By: Polaris - Friday, Jul 13, 2012 at 13:31
Friday, Jul 13, 2012 at 13:31
You aren't the only people who have problems with Waeco fridge operation in a Topaz.
We met another couple recently who have been in despute with Track Trailers for over 3 years with regard to poor fridge performance and dust ingress.
External venting of the fridge is necessary for good operation, but as the fridge is located on the rear panel - then any improved venting will result in more dust!
Sugest you contact track trailers and ask about a fix.
Track were unable to rectify excessive ballweight on the Tvan Murranji (with front box option) that was causing chassis flexing on our Ford
Ranger. Eventually after trying many options the trailer was returned for a full refund.
AnswerID:
490825