External refrigerator fan - Page 3 - Hi-Lo camper travel trailer forum

specter1000 · 07-03-2015, 09:22 PM

I also took the opportunity to add the fan inside the fridge. Here is my version, since there is no fridge light, I bought a fan that had led lights. Also, I wired it up to a led switch and mounted it on the 'control panel'.

garyk52 · 08-11-2015, 11:44 AM

I know this is an old thread, but I want to throw something out and see what opinions you guys and gals may have of this idea. Looking on ebay and I found this "DC 12V 1A Automatic PC CPU Fan Temperature Control Speed Controller". The price is right it is actually cheaper than this "Thermostat Switch - Circuit On At 80°F and Off At 65°F" on Amazon. I like the idea of the fan changing speeds according to temperature. Cooler at night fan slows down less noise. I sent an email to the seller questioning if, and at what temp the fan would shut off and on.

specter1000 · 08-11-2015, 07:57 PM

For the exterior fans, when I upgraded to the dual ball bearing fans, they are absolutely quiet...at full speed. A big difference over the original fan that was there, so noise is no longer an issue.

I suppose if you want to keep the original fan, then your idea would help in that regard.

JackandJanet · 08-12-2015, 01:51 PM

But, I'm not sure it would work properly with the Mattel toy fan that was OEM. The PC fans I installed pull less power than that crappy OEM thing and they move more air, quietly.

- Jack

garyk52 · 08-13-2015, 12:33 AM

Mine did not come with a fan. I mounted 2 computer fans on the rodent screen and hooked them up to 12 volts. They pull .32 amps total. I ordered the temp speed contol and also the Thermostat switch that goes on at 80 and off at 65. I worry more about the amps than I do the noise of the fans. .32 amps over a 24 hour period is close to 8 amps times 2 if they would run all weekend. That's a lot of amps out of the battery. I'm hoping the fans will slow down and save me some amps with the temp speed control, especially at night. We shall see

Right now I'm running the fans day and night at the house and I'm seeing 34 degrees in the frig on setting 4 using ac power. Before the fans I was lucky to get down to 40 on setting 7 using ac power.

RichR · 08-13-2015, 08:28 AM

I don't think .32 amp draw is very much as compared to a 12 volt bulb that can be over 1 amp. If they are running constantly, yes, it will add up. I think you will find that the 65 to 80 degree range will be too low and the fans will run all the time. I think the button thermostats have a 95 to 110 degree range. Hopefully there is a way to adjust the range on the unit you mentioned. It would probably be more accurate than the mechanical type.

Our fridge does a good job without the fan, set at the middle setting it's about 36 degrees in the lower section and down close to 0 in the freezer. The only time I run the fan is when we are doing an initial cool down before a trip, away and the trailer is closed up, and when the sun may be striking the fridge side of the trailer. We boondock mostly in a very shaded area so fan running is rare for us. If we ran the fan very much it would be getting changed out to a quieter type such as you have done.

Treeclimber · 09-19-2015, 05:12 PM

Jack, I know this tread is a bit old for the refer fan mod but I wonder what your original Mattel toy fan looked like, I'm about to do the Sushi Mod with three newer fans rated at
.15 amps--1200rpm and no noise! but when I opened the panel, behind the rodent screen was what appears to be a very old computer fan. Nowhere near the fins and lying flat (blowing air straight up). Totally in-effective. Do you remember what yours looked like? I'll have a pic of mine when I have the rest of the materials and actually start measuring.
Thanks in advance,
Treeclimber

Treeclimber · 09-24-2015, 08:00 AM

Well, here's my take on the Sushi Mod. Started with a very disappointing Hi Lo design. A computer fan laying flat, nowhere near the fins. No wonder it ran continuously!
I think a pic should show up around here.

Then I constructed the basic frame.
Notice the baffles in the bottom to direct the airflow.

Then the install and wiring and systems check. The wires are soldered (sp) then wire nuts installed.
After installing butyl tape and clean up, the finial check and Ya Hoo! It's works great and silently!
Now, let's see if this post worked.
Treeclimber

Treeclimber · 09-24-2015, 08:03 AM

BTW, fans were purchased from Amazon, 4 for $14. Each rated at .15 amps, 44 CFM, 50,000hrs. Total manhours 6. well worth the effort. Thanks Sushidog! and also Jack for his assist.
Tree

JackandJanet · 09-24-2015, 12:09 PM

Looks great, Tree! I think putting the streamers on two of them so you could see when they were working was a clever idea. My technique is to hold my hand up to the vent to feel the airflow, or to get my ear close to it so I can hear them.

But, the PC fans are lovely and quiet (and efficient), aren't they?

- Jack

Treeclimber · 09-26-2015, 08:04 PM

Now I know for sure this Mod works. Pre-mod I maintained refer on 3 or 4, now 2-3 is fine. It will be better when it stocked. On 3, my gallon of thirst quencher was icing up, cubes were rock hard in no time. On 2 it doesn't ice the drinks up unless I leave them overnight. So a stocked refer will sit on about a 3. Should I sell the OEM fan with the Rodgers screws and bumper pads? maybe I could get a couple hundred!

Treeclimber

GoCamp · 09-27-2015, 12:12 PM

Thank you for the great resource tip.

Treeclimber · 09-27-2015, 12:14 PM

Pleasure, GoCamp.

Treeclimber · 11-06-2015, 10:20 AM

Follow-up Little nephew likes pushing buttons. He pushed the cooling selector on the refer to 5. Everything frozen solid! All lettuce becomes ICEBERG after that. Seems travel is a 3. on site is a 2-3. Those 3 fans are a stark difference from the noisy OEM fan. I'm real impressed even after all this time.
Tree

Treeclimber · 04-15-2016, 11:48 AM

Sushidog mod. Installed refer fan mod on my newer Hi Lo, and like the last, it's working great. 3 is the magic setting now. Total quiet inside and out. Battery monitor shows a drop of .02 when running (three fans). Double Fan-tastic vents also reduces the need for the A/C. Bamboo flooring makes floor space seem huge!

Treeclimber · 09-26-2016, 12:18 PM

Just for info, Those 120mm fans are 11.99 for a four pack on amazon, price went down. Also Fan-tastic vents, 3 speed/reversing are just $140.99. Good deals for anyone looking!
Tree