Need for refrigerator fan
 

Hello. I own a 2008 Hi-Lo 15T. When I take my trailer out, I generally turn on the refrigerator fan during the day and turn it off at night. I don't know how much electricity it draws nor how much it really needs to be used and why. I would appreciate it if anyone would provide me some information on this subject.

Thanks, Jerry

Jerry, the outside fan for the fridge only comes on when the temperature of the "evaporator?" (I'm never sure what that part of the system is called - but it's a heat ex-changer that transfers heat inside the refrigerator to the outside) gets above a certain level - my fuzzy memory seems to recall 110 degrees. Whatever - it will not run all night but helps to improve the system's performance if it is having to deal with a lot of heat.

I don't recall what the Amp draw of the OEM fan is, I replaced mine with two PC fans that draw less current, are quieter and move more air. I seem to think it was on the order of 1 Amp, but, as I said, it does not run continuously. I think if you take the outside vent screen off (lots of screws), you can get to the fan and its Amp rating is shown on it, if you're really concerned.

- Jack

Thanks for the info, Jack!

I’m not aware of a switch to use to even turn that external fan on and off unless you are turning the entire refrigerator off at night. Are you perhaps referring to a fan installed in the interior of the refrigerator? Some of us use a small fan inside to circulate the air around the food. This greatly improves the cooling ability. I suppose you could hardwire a 12V fan to do that job, but I bought one at Camping World that runs off a couple of C cell or D cell batteries and they last for quite a few four day or five day trips running 24 hours a day.

We have a switch on our internal control panel that can turn the refrigerator fan on or off in our 2509 Classic. But we do not turn it off when the refrigerator is in use during high outside temperature. Like Jack said earlier, the fan still turns off automatically when the outside temperature cools and the heat exchanger no longer needs use of the fan. Beach

Thinking about it (always a dangerous process), I believe the coils outside are called the "condenser" - it's where the ammonia in the refrigeration system gives up heat and is transferred from a gaseous state back to a liquid.

Then, the part inside the refrigerator that picks up the heat from inside and turns the ammonia back into a gas is called the "evaporator". It wouldn't make sense to put that name on the outside part.

Sorry, this all came to me just before I was headed off to bed. Must be a symptom of old age.

- Jack

Jerry
Due to the design of the Hi Lo, they do not have the traditional "Chimney" for the refer condenser to get rid of the heat generated...To assist with getting the heat out, a small (computer chassis) fan was added behind the upper vent....This is the fan controlled by the Refer Fan switch on the control panel...During a trip this last summer, I found this fan was not enough to handle the heat so I now have 3 computer fans installed on my 2807C...The newer fans draw less amps that the original so that is not a problem...

Do you have a source and part number for the fans?

I just went to "Best Buy" and bought 3 12 volt computer fans...fast check the voltage...some are 24 volt...

We have a different solution to HiLo Refrigerator cooling. First we replaced the worn factory fan with two of similar specs. Worked just fine but still made a humming noise during the night. So I bought a simple 120 VAC clamp-on fan and used that to blow air into the bottom inlet on the trailer side. We plugged that into a campground receptacle. Well that worked pretty good and the two 12-volt fans controlled by the refrigerator switch never came on. So I then got the idea to mount the clamp-on fan inside the cavity for the refrigerator and plug it in to the receptacle that is inside the refrigerator cavity; the one provided by the factory. It sucks air in at the bottom and over the condenser and out the top vent. This fan is very quiet and it runs whenever the trailer is hooked up to "shore" power. When we are home, I simply open the bottom access panel on the side of the trailer and unplug it. When we camp, I plug it in. That works so well it is amazing! I have never heard the 12-volt fans come on unless we dry camped. And, we cannot hear this clamp-on fan run at all. The refrigerator's temperature is cooler than when using just the 12-volt fans. I.e., we mostly use a setting of 2 with the clamp-on fan and a setting of 3 with the 12-volt fans to maintain the temperature we want inside the refrigerator on hot days. Scottie

I'm looking for a 12 volt fan array to mount in my fridge compartment. I see on Amazon there are several available, three fans in a rack. I need to order online as I am many miles from a store that would carry these. Is there any suggestions out there where and what to buy? I am not concerned with current draw as I generate tons of solar power. I am more concerned with the sound level. I am always off grid, never once have I camped in a place with a 120vac connection.