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Old 05-31-2008, 02:14 PM   #1
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emam
Solar Fridge Fan Installation

Cindy and I were camped in Death Valley last week where the temeratures reached records of 117 degrees . I know, not too smart considering our Sunline has wheels and can be moved.

Our Norcold Refrigerator couldnt keep up, and when we brought it into Tropical RV Centers in Pahrump NV, they checked it out but said basically "In these temperatures, nothing is going to work right!"

What they suggested to do was buy a Solar Fridge Fan to help keep the coils cool. This little fan is easy as pie to install, maybe taking 20 minutes total.

The hardest part was getting the caulk out of the fridge vent cover screw holes.

The whole package consists of a small fan, a very small solar panel, and 5 screws.


Once I got the vent cover off, had to cut through the screening that normally covers the opening. I plan to mount some new screen back on once I find a small sheet of it. I screwed the fan to the side of the opening where I felt most of the heat rising off the coils.


Once the fan is mounted, I fed the wire through the openings on the sides, and plugged the conector together. As soon as I did this, the fan started spinning and I could feel the heat blowing out of the opening.

I then screwed the vent cover back on and recaulked the screw holes.

Last thing to do was screw 3 small screws in the solar panel which I had also put some caulk down where the holes were going to pierce the vent cover


Once everything was set, it was time to grab a cold one out of the fridge!

Total time maybe 20 minutes, and the cost of the fan was $59
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Old 06-01-2008, 07:00 PM   #2
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Pat

That roof vent picture is perfect!!! Was wondering what was under that vent cover. My vent cover needs replacing as well, getting real brittle. Prior owner did not give it the 303 UV loving care treatment so I'll put the fan in at that time.

I have one of those fridge fans to install sitting in the "to do" box, however it is run off of 12 volts and a T'stat to turn it on and off pending the refridge cooling coil temp.

Does your run all the time when the sun is out?

Thanks

John
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Old 06-11-2008, 04:12 PM   #3
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Yes John, as long as the sun is out the fan is running. I posted this on another forum I also frequent and a guy on there said he spliced into the line to put a switch on it.

So I guess if you wanted to, you could do that
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Old 06-12-2008, 07:34 PM   #4
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just another thought on fridge fans --- i installed a small 12 V muffing fan between the lower tubes in the lower area and just connected it to the 12 V that was feeding the fridge --- the fan is very low dry and pushing only a minor amount of air.

we had the same setup in the trailer and it really increased the efficiency of the frige in hot muggy weather.

fyi - like the solar one, but hat the cost - i have the muffin fan, and the conectors, so it didn't cost me much at all = just time.
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Old 06-12-2008, 09:27 PM   #5
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I was actually thinking of getting a few of these fans that are switchable like the normal exhaust fans and putting little solar panels on each roof vent.

We normally travel with the ceiling fans going to exhaust any heat or fumes out of the camper. But if they could run off of solar, all the better.

Again, when I find that money tree, this will be done. Right now it just goes on the list of WANTS
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Old 06-13-2008, 05:14 AM   #6
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eman:

doesn't much of your electrical in the trailer run off of solar already?, could you not tap into a 12V line and run a small fan --- the draw would likely be minimal and if battery power was at a min - you could simply swtich it off.

better than running a larger fan i would think ---- just a thought!

those little muffin fans (like the one that i purchased) can be picked up for usually less than $5.00 at discount places like princess automotive (Canadian - not sure if they have stores in the US or not).

oh - love the extra water carrying idea ---- cool!
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Old 06-13-2008, 09:56 AM   #7
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Cindy doesnt bake muffins too often, so I dont know if we'd need fans to cool them down




JUST KIDDING!! Yeah, if they draw next to nothing and can be put on a switch, then I might just tap into the 12volt system and put a few more in like you mentioned
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Old 06-13-2008, 11:13 AM   #8
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Pat...Your mods are costing me alot of $$$ !!! Steve just added this one to the TTD before fulltiming list.
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Old 06-15-2008, 07:03 PM   #9
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enan - i love that fan up in the bent runiing on solar --- bettt tje aving tto plug into the one --- just let the sun do the triclk!

how hare was toke the fent qpqrett?
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Old 06-15-2008, 08:02 PM   #10
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hahahahha...splwiur.
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Old 06-17-2008, 05:43 PM   #11
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oops - forgive my last post --- had been sitting on the patio enjoying a couple of cold ones --- perhaps a couple too many - yikes!

no wonder i didn't feel like work on monday (actually didn't go)

what i was trying to say - is love the solar --- lack of having to plug it in and all that --- maybe when i have the other bit on my list done, i will change what i have over.

thanks!
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