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Old 06-01-2012, 02:41 PM   #1
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Refrigerator fan position

I was rounding up parts, computer fans/switches/wire, to install a fan in the refrigerator flue. My confusion and question is about fan placement. That since when the fan is running I feel more air movement 'in front' of the fan where the air blows on me, should the fan be placed at the top or the bottom of the flue for best results.

With the fans installed at the top of the flue the movement is by the suction across the coils, negative pressure, put in the flue by the fan. At the bottom the air movement is pushed by the fan and seems to be a greater movement.

Where is the best place to install the fan? Top or bottom?
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Old 06-01-2012, 03:45 PM   #2
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I think I have found the answer to my question. It might have to do with pressure in the flue. Fumes from the LP burner can be forced into the living space with the fans mounted low inside the flue since this will pressurize the flue. LP fumes will not be forced/drawn into the living space when the fan is mounted at the top of the flue. The top mounted fan pulls a negative pressure in the flue and odors/gas will be drawn outside and air in the living space will also be drawn out thru the flue if there are openings such as electrical outlets and cracks in the walls.

This is just my opinion and not from any information I found on the internet. Do we have other opinions from the engineering department?
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Old 06-01-2012, 03:49 PM   #3
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I won't speak to which is best, but I will tell you my experience.. I've mounted two fans in two different fridges and on two different Sunnys. Both of them were installed at the top of the opening, at the bottom of the fridge. I couldn't be happier with the results!


Both fridges got colder and got there faster, than without the fan. I know that some fridges have the fans mounted halfway up the back of the fridge, but I'd rather not have to pull the fridge out, to install them there.
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Old 06-01-2012, 04:19 PM   #4
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Quote:
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Both of them were installed at the top of the opening, at the bottom of the fridge. I couldn't be happier with the results!
That is where I had in mind to install my fans. I have two fans I pulled from old computer tower power supplies. Amp draw is minimal, about one amp for the two, and the power supply pickup is right there. I can install a off/on switch in case I need to turn them off.

Another thing I noticed is that top mounted fans seem to be mounted on the side opposite the burner. I think I'll try to mount mine opposite the burner so not to interfere with the heat needed there.

This camper also has a 110V fan, mounted at the top of the flue, that is similar to the one used for the bathroom exhaust. That is really noisey and so doesn't get used. I have a pancake fan that came from a air-hockey table and runs much quieter. I'm thinking to replace the noisier fan with this one. Then I'll have fans on each power souce.
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Old 06-01-2012, 04:24 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jim-Bev-2363 View Post
That is where I had in mind to install my fans. I have two fans I pulled from old computer tower power supplies. Amp draw is minimal, about one amp for the two, and the power supply pickup is right there. I can install a off/on switch in case I need to turn them off.

Another thing I noticed is that top mounted fans seem to be mounted on the side opposite the burner. I think I'll try to mount mine opposite the burner so not to interfere with the heat needed there.
Instead of an on-off switch, I used an ATC style 1 AMP fuse. I crimped female spade connectors to the wires and ran the feed through the fuse.

Mine are also opposite the burner.. I do want heat on the burner side and not the other side.
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Old 06-01-2012, 04:30 PM   #6
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Thanks! I keep forgetting those darned fuses for some reason. I have the 1 amp fuse but need a holder. Then the circuit will have fused protection, a switch to turn fans off when not needed (in storage). Maybe one fan will do since space is limited.
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Old 06-01-2012, 04:32 PM   #7
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I use my fuse as the on-off switch... Good luck!
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Old 06-01-2012, 04:32 PM   #8
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Another thought....... Did you install the fan inside the fridge compartment? I have a processor fan that I thought about putting in there. might help hold a more even temperature in the fridge.

Duh! Yes I could just take the fuse out, LOL!
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Old 06-01-2012, 04:34 PM   #9
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My fan is mounted to the wood that is just behind the siding. It sticks in from there..
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Old 06-01-2012, 04:38 PM   #10
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thanks!
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Old 06-01-2012, 04:46 PM   #11
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Let me know how it works!
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Old 06-01-2012, 05:27 PM   #12
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If you can have them blow directly across the condenser that is the most efficient, fans push much better then they pull. They make a big difference when your parked in the hot sun from the fridge being just cool to cold.
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Old 06-02-2012, 10:05 AM   #13
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I didn't remove the refrigerator and install the fans higher in the flue like they should be but I figured mounting them somewhere would be better than not at all.

The fans I pulled out of old computer towers are .15Amp each so with the two the battery load will be .30Amp total.


The fans mounted with two screws each at the top of the lower opening and are angled up the flue. Both fans are wired in parallel and connected to a push/pull switch. Fuse is not in line yet but will come one day. The push/pull switch is just hanging by the wires for now. I will find a double switchbox cover plate, drill a hole for the switch and that will have a solid mount. I chose the switch over just using the fuse because I could see me breaking the fuse holder or loosing a fuse. You can also see the, maybe, the gray speaker wires I used. I ran them down to the floor of the opening and over to the 12V power supply wires for the refrigerator. Everything seems to work OK from there.



Next will be to replace the noisy 110V AC fan at the top of the flue.
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Old 06-02-2012, 10:10 AM   #14
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Great job Jim!
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Old 06-02-2012, 10:15 AM   #15
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Thanks! It did go easier than I thought it would. The hard part was finding out that I blew a fuse somehow when moving wires around. Yes, I did it with the 12V power on and shame on me for that. Once I replaced the blown fuse everything went fast, LOL!

I'll turn the 110V AC off when replacing the upper fan.
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Old 06-02-2012, 10:18 AM   #16
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Quote:
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I'll turn the 110V AC off when replacing the upper fan.

That would be a good idea!

You could always disconnect it and leave it be... If your fridge works as good as ours does now, you probably won't need the upper fan..
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Old 06-02-2012, 10:29 AM   #17
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I will take one of these 90+ degree days and check the inside temps. One without any fans. Another with the lower fans and a third with the upper fan and a last measurement with both upper and lower fans. Somewhere there has to be a point of overkill.

The PO had a six inch piece of rubber hose that he would prop the lower door open with and then run the upper fan. I guess Florida is hard on camping refrigerators and we do whatever we can.
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Old 06-02-2012, 10:33 AM   #18
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Sounds like a plan...

I have a single 6" fan, that is mounted where you just put yours. No matter the outside temps (Been as hot as 95*) the fridge stays at 34-35*
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