Fridge Fan Install

L

longhorn1

Ouch, that stings!
Joined
Nov 25, 2013
Messages
2,826
Location
Carmel, Indiana
I purchased a fridge fan from FWC and they mounted it on the aluminum brackets. I also purchased the switch. We have a 2014 Grandby, front dinette, with 80L Dometic compressor fridge. To mount the bracket I need to use a right angle drill. The space between the backside of the aluminum camper frame and the rear of the fridge is 3"=/-. I don't want to get into moving the fridge out for more space.

I looked at the Dewalt Dwara 100 right angle drill, but one of the measurements is 4.9". I don't want to place an order and then have to return it.

Hoping someone on this forum can give me the type and size right angle drill that will work, or another tool that can get the job done.

Thanks, jd
 
I have the Dewalt DWARA50 right angle drill adapter - I would guess it is only 1.5" or so wide, so it would likely fit with a very stubby drill bit. You could also just use VHB tape to mount it - no drilling required and provides some vibration isolation.
 
Here's a photo from my gallery showing how I mounted the fridge fans. Instead of drilling into the inside edge of the frame around the upper vent opening, I drilled into the upper side and lower side (respectively) of the frame around the upper vent, and attached aluminum angle there, and then could directly attach the fans to the angle.


http://www.wanderthewest.com/forum/gallery/image/16135-fans-installed/


I have some cheapo angle drill attachment (Harbor Freight quality) that I used to do this. I may have started the drilling with a short-length bit to get the location exact and create a pilot hole, then just used self-tapping screws in a short bit holder to drive in the actual fasteners, as this would really reduce the length of the angle drill plus 'stuff' that needed to fit into the space.
 
Longhorn, is this something they made custom for you or something they offer? I NEED to do this for the summers here.... but been procrastinating :(
 
My fridge alrady had one fan (2014 Eagle w/Dometic 65) and I mounted a second fan uning a 12v computer fan I bought from Amazon. I just attached my second fan with zip ties to the cage around the compressor. Seems to have helped some but not a magic bullet.
 
I started to use mine this year a lot. On a 90+ day I can turn the fan on and keep it in the 42 to 43 degree range with the door being opened once and a while. I yell keep it quick!! ;)
Anyway I run the fan from noon on. I usually plug in the generator when I go in to eat. I leave in on and charge the battery. Then the next day start the fan again about noon. At night the temp in the fridge is in the 38 to 39 range.
I am also in the shade doing this way.
 
My 2014 Hawk is a front dinette. Location may change for other models or years. However, these photos may help.

Rear of entry lightswitch panel with empty refer fan spot now containing switch. Refer wires are the two blue wires pointing up. They were in coiled wire bundle behind & below blue wires.
gallery_5568_852_304794.jpeg


Back of fridge context photo with other end of two wires.


Close up of two blue wires behind fridge with wire tie mount. The connectors are butt splice crimp type.


Paul
 
I asked FWC about buying a switch and/or fan from them, and about the wiring on my 2016 Grandby with a 85L Isotherm. This was their reply:

"The Isotherm series refers have a built in fan at the compressor, atop the refer, If you wish to add a secondary, the refer fan and switch is $95.00. The wiring is already pre-ran to the rear of the refer, from the switch location, pinned to the wall(blue and black wires). You can call the number below to order.

Aaron Geiger
Service Advisor/Parts Department
Svc2@fourwh.com
530-419-2426
800-242-1442"

I would probably buy my own fan and just buy the switch from FWC. My question, however, is whether adding another fan to the refer compartment would help all that much, given that the Isotherm already comes with its own fan. I do camp in some hot weather sometimes. I am just wondering if adding a fan would help the Isotherm all that much? Any feedback on this question??
 
Here is the switch for MUCH less than FWC:
https://www.amazon.com/JR-Products-13095-Black-Switch/dp/B002UC4S8Q/ref=sr_1_18?s=electronics&srs=2594514011&ie=UTF8&qid=1502977637&sr=1-18

I am not sure the fan will make much difference on the already very efficient compressor fridges (2-way). Most people seem to install them to give their absorption fridges (3-way) a boost. They have to dump a lot more heat that the compressor fridges and can oly drive a certain temperature differential. On the compressor fridge, it would probably only make sense to have the fan run when the compressor runs (which is normally less than 50% of the time), otherwise you are wasting a lot of energy. But if you do install one on your isotherm, report back on if it helps with energy consumption.
 
I'm completing my fridge fan installation today but taking a different approach by mounting the fan in the lower vent to pull outside air into the space rather than in the upper vent to push cabinet air out of the space. I'm using a small fan removed from some electronic device in the past. It's only about 20 CFM, but as the volume of air behind the fridge is only about one cubic foot, that should be more than enough air exchange. Fan consumes 0.14amp & is very quiet.

Paul
 
My camper originally came with a 3 way fridge and FWC installed a fan in the exterior vent controlled by a thermal switch in the space behind the fridge. When I converted to a compressor fridge I left it there.

Another problem is that Isotherm / Truckfridge have the compressor mounted in the upper right corner. In my case it was a tight fit in the cabinet creating a closed area that restricted air circulation over the condenser coils. To solve this problem I installed a vent in the cabinet next to the coils that allows cooling air to escape.
 
camelracer said:
My camper originally came with a 3 way fridge and FWC installed a fan in the exterior vent controlled by a thermal switch in the space behind the fridge. When I converted to a compressor fridge I left it there.

Another problem is that Isotherm / Truckfridge have the compressor mounted in the upper right corner. In my case it was a tight fit in the cabinet creating a closed area that restricted air circulation over the condenser coils. To solve this problem I installed a vent in the cabinet next to the coils that allows cooling air to escape.
Click to expand...
Ditto. This is a big 140mm 12v fan that I tied into the wiring for the existing fridge fan. It moves a LOT of air and is nearly silent.

full
 
I think most of the 2 ways come with two vents to the outside, one by the compressor for air exhaust and another down at the bottom for air intake. At least that's the way mine came.
 
Pulled our fans out to get at the new 2-way's connections to trouble-shoot. Found what I'd done wrong, and didn't put the fans back. Inaugural trip to see the appoc-eclipse. New fridge doesn't appear to need them at all. Might put them back as a just-in-case feature, but I'm doubting the need.
 
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