CAMP OVEN COOKING AND CAMPING IN AUSTRALIA CHAT FORUMS

Mar 9^th, 2016 at 7:30pm

Derek Offline
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While I have not had any issues with my three way fridge I was thinking of installing a shade over the fridge vents for the hot weather.

Through the Jayco Forum I was alerted to a double fan assembly that attached to the top fridge vent that draws the hot air out of the fridge cabinet and does the same thing so I purchased one.

It was through eBay - http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Caravan-Fridge-Cooling-Twin-Fans-With-Electronic-Set-...

The kit comes complete with everything you need including very clear instructions.

Installation was very easy.

First remove both vents from the outside of the fridge.

Attach the fan assembly to the top vent with the bolts provided. I found it necessary to drill two holes in the rear of the vent so that the bolts would sit straight.

While holding the vent with the fans attached feed the control unit down the back of the fridge and then attach the vent

Locate the positive and negative wires coming into the fridge from your batteries. These turn off when your main switch is turned off. Connect your

Attach the sensor to the boiler tube. The kit came with a stainless steel zip tie however I used a hose clamp.

Then affix the control unit to the side wall of the fridge compartment and turn it on.

The control unit comes pre-set to turn the fan on at 50 degrees and then turn it off when it drops to 45 degrees. I have chosen to leave mine at those settings. The middle number on the control unit is the temperature at the sensor.

I have the fridge currently running on gas and it has got up to 42 degrees and the fans are still to activate however it is a cool afternoon.

I will have a look in the morning when the side of the van will be in full sun.

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Reply #1 - Mar 9^th, 2016 at 8:17pm

Smokeydk Offline
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I wired both of mine to stretchy elastic laying down they dont vibrate at all..and hang in air.....I have them fused and a switch inside the cupboard next to the fridge......only thing is to remember to switch them on before fridge temp goes up

also last year I had a FRIDGE SWITCH installed that turns fridge off if you stopped car for more than 5 mins.......saves getting a flat battery in the car

http://www.rvpartsexpress.com.au/rv-electronics-fridge-switch.html

http://smokeydk.blogspot.com.au/

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Reply #2 - Mar 9^th, 2016 at 11:16pm

Chally Offline
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Thanks for that idea Derek. They certainly would come in handy in the hot weather we have been having.

Jeff

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Reply #3 - Mar 10^th, 2016 at 8:08am

mikel Offline
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I did all that and more on our 3 way van fridge but finally gave up and installed an Engel upright front door fridge.

Fitted neatly into the hole previously occupied by the 3 way, has auto selection 12/240v.

Result: beer chilled in 1/4 of the time and no more wet soggy (although cold) salad stuff.

mikel

life is a bed of gidgee coals and a camp oven

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Reply #4 - Mar 10^th, 2016 at 10:36am

Derek Offline
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Interesting you should say that Michael.

As you know my van is a modern palace on wheels and when they make them they do it arse about face.

All the insides which are pre-fabricated with the fridge already installed go in first then they add the outside walls and roof.

As such I am told that I cannot get the fridge out through the door of the van even if I wanted to change it to a full 12/240 volt one. Angry

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Reply #5 - Mar 10^th, 2016 at 12:52pm

mikel Offline
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I certainly never thought about dimension when I bought the replacement Engel.
Could have been a very bad egg on face situation, but the old one came out through the door with about an inch to spare and the replacement in by the same. Shocked

The last and best fan cooling improvement I did was to make a frame for 3 fans located flat across the top of the condenser fins, then a thin al. sheet from the condenser to the wall of the van.
This ensured that all the upward airflow went through the condenser, also placed a curved deflector baffle above the fans to direct the air out through the top vent.
Cabinet temp was then maintained at 3-4*c in +35 ambients.
But it still had the moisture problem even though I made positive door closure clips top and bottom. Roll Eyes

Michael

life is a bed of gidgee coals and a camp oven

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Reply #6 - Mar 10^th, 2016 at 5:54pm

shackles Offline
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Yorke Peninsula, South Australia, Australia

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Derek does your van's fridge have a built in fan?

Can't Get Full On Fancy

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Reply #7 - Mar 10^th, 2016 at 6:00pm

Derek Offline
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shackles wrote on Mar 10^th, 2016 at 5:54pm:

Derek does your van's fridge have a built in fan?

Yes, there is one fan right at the bottom that pushes air up. These are in the top vent and blow the air out.

I put a plastic beaker of water in the freezer this morning and it is frozen solid this afternoon. I also bought a little fridge thermometer so will see what is going on over the next couple of days.

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Reply #8 - Mar 10^th, 2016 at 6:26pm

shackles Offline
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My fridge is a Dometic RM4601. Is this the one you have Derek?

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Reply #9 - Mar 10^th, 2016 at 7:45pm

Derek Offline
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Mine is the tropical rated Dometic RMD8551.

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