Electronic fridge ventilation ?

[berni109]

So the new van has one of these new(to me) 12v compressor fridges but no exterior ventilation.
I was fine with the old 3 way with fans thermo controlled blowing the air out of the top vent.
So where is the heat generated by the cooling process dissipated to?
Nowhere else for it to go but into the rest of the van is there?
Does not seem as if it will be very efficient - does it need some forced air up over the back of the unit.
What have you done?
Please enlighten me.

 

[Spawn_e_git]

The heat will be dissipated in the cooling pipes on the rear of the firdge. The heat will be absorbed into the inside of the van in the same way it is in your kitchen. The only real reason for external vents with 3 way fridges is the fact that you are burning gas which needs a supply of oxygen rich air and for the gas given off exhaust to atmosphere.
Compressor fridges also do not generate a lot of heat compared to a 3 way.

 

[Richard n Ann]

It may have a static condenser up the back like many domestic fridges, in which case the warm air just drifts up and away so it would benefit from some ventilation slots, especially in a Spanish summer.

If it has a fan assisted condenser there will be a small computer type fan running against it and the heat is dissipated more efficiently but ventilation slots are still needed in a hot summer.

Rule of thumb, If the pipe coming off the bottom of the condenser is still hot it's not got enough ventilation ?

 

[Two on Tour]

The heat will be dissipated in the cooling pipes on the rear of the firdge. The heat will be absorbed into the inside of the van in the same way it is in your kitchen. The only real reason for external vents with 3 way fridges is the fact that you are burning gas which needs a supply of oxygen rich air and for the gas given off exhaust to atmosphere.
Compressor fridges also do not generate a lot of heat compared to a 3 way.

That's only part of the reason for top and bottom vents on an absorption fridge.
The condensing tubes on the upper part of an absorption fridge required airflow across the cooling fins for the refrigeration to work.

 

[berni109]

Will check the cupboard under the fridge when I can get to it to see if there is :
A- some slots at the top back to aid airflow up behind fridge.
B- anywhere to put a fan to aid circulation.

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[berni109]

Found the installation instructions and it would seem that the fridge relies on a simple covection current pushing hot air out of the vents at the top and drawing cooler air in at the bottom.
Cant see that working particularly well in hot weather when the van is closed up. So a fan or fans needed.
What experience do you peeps have of compressor fridges keeping their contents at the right temperature?

 

[Stroppy Bird]

Cant see that working particularly well in hot weather when the van is closed up.

I think you are maybe worrying about something that won't be an issue. We used to have an absorption fridge but the van we really really wanted only came with a compressor. I did quite a bit of reading on the pros and cons of each (our biggest concern was the energy requirements of the compressor) and one of the pros of the compressor over the absorption is that it copes better in warmer climates.

 

[Richard n Ann]

You could put a couple of small extract fans in above, something like 50mm compooter fans. Wire them in series so they are quiet and put them on a mechanical thermostat so they just come on if it gets hot behind the fridge. The use of a mechanical thermostat means it's not using power 24/7 like a digital controller would ??

Edit: These are handy, used to use them at work

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/710-...0001&campid=5338547443&icep_item=282759934295

 

[berni109]

Thanks for the replys.
Anyone else with real life experience of compressor fridges in a PVC.

 

[Waveski]

I have a compressor fridge, which has 2 small vents (75mmx180mm approx) in the cupboard wall adjacent to the fridge. One vent is at low level and one at about level with the top of the fridge. I had absolutely no problems with the fridge in the heat wave in France last year, the inside of the van peaked at 48.1 degrees C !!! As a fridge they are brilliant but do use a lot amps if you are off grid.

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[EuroTrotters]

The heat will be dissipated in the cooling pipes on the rear of the firdge. The heat will be absorbed into the inside of the van in the same way it is in your kitchen. The only real reason for external vents with 3 way fridges is the fact that you are burning gas which needs a supply of oxygen rich air and for the gas given off exhaust to atmosphere.
Compressor fridges also do not generate a lot of heat compared to a 3 way.

Plus absorption creates higher amounts of condenser heat.

 

[EuroTrotters]

Okay, when you said “electronic” I thought you were referring to, thermoelectric that uses pettiers.

What you have is compressor refrigeration, with a 12v DC or 240v via inverter.

I have installed a 240v compressor freezer that runs through an inverter. It is fine during autumn and winter, but anything above 20c and it struggles. Despite gaps for ventilation, there is too much heat build up, leading to excessive run times

I intend to install one of these at some point. Bit noisy, so I will put it through a https://www.watfordvalves.com/produ...X7m1TApv2KHOtKjYIHyD5szV3yYcTKQsaAsQzEALw_wcB

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/710-...0001&campid=5338547443&icep_item=392371959352

 

[Richard n Ann]

Okay, when you said “electronic” I thought you were referring to, thermoelectric that uses pettiers.

What you have is compressor refrigeration, with a 12v DC or 240v via inverter.

I have installed a 240v compressor freezer that runs through an inverter. It is fine during autumn and winter, but anything above 20c and it struggles. Despite gaps for ventilation, there is too much heat build up, leading to excessive run times

I intend to install one of these at some point. Bit noisy, so I will put it through a https://www.watfordvalves.com/produ...X7m1TApv2KHOtKjYIHyD5szV3yYcTKQsaAsQzEALw_wcB

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/710-...0001&campid=5338547443&icep_item=392371959352

That potentiometer will instantly over heat and release it's smoke if you try to slow a fan down directly with it.
They are only ¼ watt or something ?

 

[EuroTrotters]

That potentiometer will instantly over heat and release it's smoke if you try to slow a fan down directly with it.
They are only ¼ watt or something ?

I had not meant to specify the part, I tried to post just the image.

I will, when it’s done post the exact type and the fan wattage.

 

[Richard n Ann]

I have a compressor fridge, which has 2 small vents (75mmx180mm approx) in the cupboard wall adjacent to the fridge. One vent is at low level and one at about level with the top of the fridge. I had absolutely no problems with the fridge in the heat wave in France last year, the inside of the van peaked at 48.1 degrees C !!! As a fridge they are brilliant but do use a lot amps if you are off grid.

The compressor will have been suffering at that temperature, believe me.
High temperature = high operating pressure and a short service life ?

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[Waveski]

48. Deg C was a very short peak whilst I’d left the van secured. Avrg temp during the day was about 38. Cold beer and wine were essential ?

 

[Richard n Ann]

I had not meant to specify the part, I tried to post just the image.

I will, when it’s done post the exact type and the fan wattage.

These look good:

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/710-...0001&campid=5338547443&icep_item=183962512163

 

[berni109]

Some interstering thoughts there, thx.
We will see how it performs in the summer (assuming we have one).
If necessary some small fans with a speed controller (as above) internal and if that is not enough might even have to cut a hole in the side (last resort)