Fridge fans for hot weather - how hot and what thermostat to use?

[funman]

My 3-way fridge didn't work very well in 30 degree outdoor temps in Greece a few weeks ago (oh God, why did I come home?) so I installed some computer fans behind the upper vent. What I want to know is:

1. What temperature range is the area over the cooling fins supposed to be? It doesn't say in the handbook.
2. What sort of thermostat should I get, so I don't have to switch the fans on and off like a human thermostat. Thing is, it wouldn't be a normal thermostat because it wants to go on when it's hot and off when it's cold, unlike most thermostats like you might use on a tropical fi which would go off when it's hot and on when it's cold.

 

[LesW]

I used one of these, set the temperature to 40c.

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[Lenny HB]

Temperature to set fan control to varies on the installation, I try to set mine so the fans come on above 25° ambient which in my set up the controller is set to 32°.

This is my install.

Lenny's Modding the new Gin Palace

@Lenny HB I've fitted an Honeywell CO detector today and the instructions say for a caravan or motorhome do not fit in the kitchen living area but where you sleep. It shows the alarm sitting on a shelf at the side of the bed, so I double sided taped mine to the overhead wall units. John. I...

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

Also fitted an internal fan.

Lenny's Modding the new Gin Palace

@Lenny HB how's the fridge fan modification performing, especially inconsideration of the higher French temps your are currently experiencing? Sorry missed your post, when we were in France it was 31, with the fans ruinning performance was just about acceptable, 8 deg at the bottom 4 at the top...

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

 

[Riverbankannie]

We fitted the CBE one which I bought with the fans and the control. You can get the control separately but I don’t think it comes with the wiring and the sensor.
I have posted a link here as it has a useful PDF on the page for fitting instructions.

MCV (SPARE PART) -

An electronic circuit allows the setting of fans to automatic or manual. It also sets the fans’ speed depending on the temperature: the fridge […]

www.cbe.it

 

[Kenp]

When I fitted my fans about 7 or 8 years ago I decided to use an illuminated switch. However there was lots of detail on MHF about fitting thermostats which are effective.

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[funman]

I used one of these, set the temperature to 40c.

2X( DC 12V Thermostats Temperature heat sensor switch -50 ~ 110 ° C C8P7) | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for 2X( DC 12V Thermostats Temperature heat sensor switch -50 ~ 110 ° C C8P7) at the best online prices at eBay! Free delivery for many products!

rover.ebay.com

Does this gadget remember what temperature it was set to if you turn the power off? I would wire it so it was inside the back of the fridge area, so I don't want to dismantle the van whenever I want to use the fan. Currently I have a simple on-off switch inside the van for the fans.

 

[funman]

Thanks everyone for your ideas!

 

[Reallyretired]

I use a programmable thermostat from ebay, quite cheap and it does remember the settings when power is disconnected. It controls two 5" computer fans in the top vent on at 32C off at 28C. Works for me. I also have a manual switch in case its a very hot night, they are not silent.

 

[LesW]

Does this gadget remember what temperature it was set to if you turn the power off? I would wire it so it was inside the back of the fridge area, so I don't want to dismantle the van whenever I want to use the fan. Currently I have a simple on-off switch inside the van for the fans.

Yes, once set it stays set..

 

[tony_g]

We fitted the CBE one which I bought with the fans and the control. You can get the control separately but I don’t think it comes with the wiring and the sensor.
I have posted a link here as it has a useful PDF on the page for fitting instructions.

MCV (SPARE PART) -

An electronic circuit allows the setting of fans to automatic or manual. It also sets the fans’ speed depending on the temperature: the fridge […]

www.cbe.it

I installed the CBE setup bought from Otoparts in the Nederlands back in September, after a sizzling Spring/Summer trip to Greece and Italy. Eurofizz lager REALLY needs a good chill!
Easy install in the top fridge vent (thanks Lenny HB ). Was VERY surprised at how quickly the fan was triggered on auto. The unit range is 25C to 35C The lower temp was almost constant even in Autumn Switzerland and Austria and the higher easily reached. Not a bad thing and beer is decently cold, even in a fairly overloaded fridge. Having the adjacent oven on seems to trigger it, too! Over all, a worthwhile mod. Non-auto comes on at 50C.

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[Badknee]

I also bought the kit, €45 a year or so ago. Works really well in the top vent. 12v behind most fridge setups.

OTOPARTS | commercial vehicle and camper equipment

OTOPARTS | accessoires voor camper en bedrijfswagens

www.otoparts.nl

 

[Riverbankannie]

I installed the CBE setup bought from Otoparts in the Nederlands back in September, after a sizzling Spring/Summer trip to Greece and Italy. Eurofizz lager REALLY needs a good chill!
Easy install in the top fridge vent (thanks Lenny HB ). Was VERY surprised at how quickly the fan was triggered on auto. The unit range is 25C to 35C The lower temp was almost constant even in Autumn Switzerland and Austria and the higher easily reached. Not a bad thing and beer is decently cold, even in a fairly overloaded fridge. Having the adjacent oven on seems to trigger it, too! Over all, a worthwhile mod. Non-auto comes on at 50C.

I also bought the kit, €45 a year or so ago. Works really well in the top vent. 12v behind most fridge setups.

OTOPARTS | commercial vehicle and camper equipment

OTOPARTS | accessoires voor camper en bedrijfswagens

www.otoparts.nl

Ours helped keep the contents of the fridge and freezer part cold and frozen for 5 hours on one very hot (43°) day inside MH when parked up on open sunbaked carpark. I had forgotten to switch the manual setting to gas from the cab battery when parking up. The live 12v feed we picked up behind the fridge means that they work independently of the fridge setting and they came on automatically with the high ambient temperature.