chametzoo
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Post by chametzoo on Jul 3, 2014 13:56:59 GMT -8
For those of you keeping score…. As of 3:50 PM and 83F outside, the Astral is still at about 35F inside! That is, with a fan blowing at moderate speed into the cavity behind the fridge at the vented access panel. Same time yesterday, under similar circumstances but without the fan, the interior temp was approaching 60. I think I need a fan
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chametzoo
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Post by chametzoo on Jul 3, 2014 20:08:24 GMT -8
For those of you keeping score…. As of 3:50 PM and 83F outside, the Astral is still at about 35F inside! That is, with a fan blowing at moderate speed into the cavity behind the fridge at the vented access panel. Same time yesterday, under similar circumstances but without the fan, the interior temp was approaching 60. I think I need a fan Maybe something like this? New Solar Fridge Fan to Reduce Heat for Boat RV Etc | eBay. I could see one or two of these bracketed to the back of the fridge, blowing up over the absorption coils, drawing air in through the vented access panel helping carry away the heat and up the flu. I could run the wires up the heat flu and glue the panel(s) to the top of the fridge roof vent or more likely to the roof. I'd also insert a switch along the way if I wanted to interrupt the fan. A plan?
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Post by vikx on Jul 3, 2014 22:04:49 GMT -8
Sounds like a plan to me.. Go for it.
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ladywendolyn
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Post by ladywendolyn on Jul 4, 2014 5:42:46 GMT -8
There is a kind of a fan that goes in a heat register that someone told me about. It is something like this, but there may be a cheaper model. Air boost fan
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chametzoo
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Post by chametzoo on Jul 4, 2014 7:28:37 GMT -8
As far as the addition of fans is concerned… I have a feeling that this solar fridge fan product I linked to in the above post is probably a pretty cheaply made fan. I could be asking it to work quite hard in the warm weather, possibly all day. It may be better to use a good computer cooling fan(s) and power them with a mini flexible solar panel for easier mounting on the roof with adhesive (i.e., no screw holes etc.) Problem is, I'm no electrical expert. I know it should be a DC powered fan, but what specs am I looking for for the fan and the panel? What other components might I need? The fan should be no larger than about 3-4" square so it fits in the available mounting space. I think two connected side by side would do the job. So if any of you with experience with small electrical projects could spec these for me… much appreciated. I could then do the shopping for the parts and installation.
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SusieQ
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Post by SusieQ on Jul 4, 2014 7:59:04 GMT -8
Personally, as someone who has experience with cheap solar fans, I would not depend on that to cool a fridge. They are great for moving just enough air to prevent mold and musty odors in small areas but that's about it. You can't expect more force than what the single fan in your computer generates.
There are fans for this purpose out there. Another option might be multiple computer fans. I have a friend who put 4 (maybe 6) in his vent instead of replacing it with a Fantastic Fan and he had great success.
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chametzoo
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Post by chametzoo on Jul 4, 2014 8:21:57 GMT -8
Another option might be multiple computer fans. Yes… that's generally what I'm proposing. My experiment yesterday with bringing a small fan to the exterior access panel proved that all I need is a modest, but constant flow of air during the mid day heat. Just need a little help with the specs on the fans and solar panel. See post #19 above….
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SusieQ
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Post by SusieQ on Jul 4, 2014 8:39:10 GMT -8
Another option might be multiple computer fans. Yes… that's generally what I'm proposing. My experiment yesterday with bringing a small fan to the exterior access panel proved that all I need is a modest, but constant flow of air during the mid day heat. Just need a little help with the specs on the fans and solar panel. See post #19 above…. Oops, sorry, I missed the #19. If you connect directly to a small solar panel, you will have sporadic efficiency. If you are going to use solar, use it to help charge a battery that powers the fan. You could also install a switch to control when the fan is running. I suppose ideally, a thermostat would tell it when to cut on. Do you have a 12v power in your trailer for other purposes?
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chametzoo
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Post by chametzoo on Jul 4, 2014 9:22:10 GMT -8
If you connect directly to a small solar panel, you will have sporadic efficiency. If you are going to use solar, use it to help charge a battery that powers the fan. Do you have a 12v power in your trailer for other purposes? Yes… I have a single 12V deep cycle for the separate DC system. It's very simple… no integrated power management or charging. But I think I see what you're suggesting: why have a separate mini solar set up just to run those fans? Part of my upgrading plan for this trailer is to make the 12V system more robust for off grid use. That is, a power management unit that would allow for smart charging from AC or solar. With that said, I should probably just wire a couple of low amperage fans for the fridge into the 12V system (w/ cut off switches). Laying out a solar panel during the day would probably make running those fans off the trailer's battery no problem at all. Just a few hours a day. Of course when connected to shore power… also no problem. Any thoughts on this? Anyone have a computer fan that they like… efficient, quiet, small etc. Thanks SusieQ.
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SusieQ
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Post by SusieQ on Jul 4, 2014 9:32:24 GMT -8
I think you are on the right track!
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Post by wisconsinjoe on Jan 20, 2015 7:12:50 GMT -8
Can't some kind of computer fan work? Can't draw much power. My Fantastic Fan draws only about 3 watts, and a computrr fan must be far less than that.
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