Arduino Uno controlling Fridge Cooling Fans (1 Viewer)

[138go]

Been looking at trying to keep the back of the fridge cooler while we venture further south during the summer months. I have noticed before that the fridge can struggle to keep cool and this is caused by a build up of heat behind the fridge. The cooling elements don't seem to have a good enough flow of air through them to help keep the fridge cool. Also found on the Swift we had that the fridge used a lot of gas and didn't keep the ice box that cold.

So decided to control some fans with one of the small microprocessor chips that you can buy from ebay etc. Simple design with a display, relay, temperature probe, 5v power supply and Arduino Uno.

Used a rotary switch so I can have Automatic , Minimum Fan Speed and Max Fan Speed just in case the computer decides it's to hot ...

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[rosalan]

Lovely pictures and good information but being thick, as I am, I cannot work out what I should do or how I should do it, even though it must be worth a try.

 

[138go]

Google Arduino and download the Arduino Software. It connects to an Arduino Uno via the USB Port. Works on Windows and Mac. Bits you need are 12v Fans to fit whatever hole you have. Arduino Uno and Case. Display Board etc. Have a look at the software first and have a play it's all free. Loads of info in Arduino Forums or I can just send you a copy of the program which you can load into your own. The fun part though is working out how to do it, What bits you need to make it work, Getting it all connected and making it work and then fitting it.

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[DBK]

Being a cheapskate I spent £3.29 on my version:
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[138go]

Nothing wrong with that. I just fancied a bit more control. Fans can be noisy at full speed so its nice to have very quiet fans running at half speed.

Also enjoyed making it and getting it all working.

 

[mitzimad]

Being a cheapskate I spent £3.29 on my version:
Broken Link Removed

you was robbedhttp://Broken Link Removed

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[DBK]

you was robbedhttp://Broken Link Removed

Oh no! I must rip mine out and put that one in.
But it does make you wonder what the poor folk making them must be earning - very little I suspect.

 

[hilldweller]

What is the knob for ?

 

[138go]

Switches between Automatic ( Arduino ) , Manual Max Fan Speed , Manual Min Fan Speed . Did it that way then if the electronics fail you can still use it manually.

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[Gromett]

I have a similar project on the go. The problem I had was getting the parts, I don't have a fridge and it is now too cold to test
http://www.motorhomefun.co.uk/forum/threads/new-gadget-project-started-fridge-fan-controller.139660/

How effective was your project?

I will move onto the next project

 

[hilldweller]

Did it that way then if the electronics fail you can still use it manually.

Sound design.

 

[Feltwell]

Very posh! My luddite approach was to use a temperature switch like this:-

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In conjunction with 2 computer fans that were advertised as silent, that I have to say are indeed extremely quiet - so much so that to tell if they are working I have to peek in through the external grille, as I can't hear them!

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[138go]

Oh no! I must rip mine out and put that one in.
But it does make you wonder what the poor folk making them must be earning - very little I suspect.

A computer is not bothered how much it earns. Just keeps plodding away. They fit all the parts and then flow solder them all. A computer is also used to check everything works at the end. They must produce millions of them. My only concern would be the quality of the components.

 

[138go]

Very posh! My luddite approach was to use a temperature switch like this:-

Link Removed

In conjunction with 2 computer fans that were advertised as silent, that I have to say are indeed extremely quiet - so much so that to tell if they are working I have to peek in through the external grille, as I can't hear them!

If you put a hand up to the grill on the Laika you can feel the draft

The other problem you have with your design is the variation in temp that the switch works at. A 30° one can be anything from 25° to 35° and a reset temp of 15° lower can be as low as 10° +- 5° or as high as 20° +- 5° either way. They are not designed for what you are using it for. They are a thermal overload device that resets itself. Sort of thing you strap to the side of a transformer.