Fans for fridge - Montana Owners Club

joe1047 · 07-31-2019, 05:06 PM

Hello, 2 weeks ago in ocean city Maryland, 105 degrees. Couldn't get the temperature down. Stayed around 55. There are 2 fans behind the fridge close to the top vent that came from the factory .What if i added 2 more fans up there? Also if i do , can i tie into the factory fans that are there?
Also if i ad a fan in the fridge, can i tie into the light for power? I want the fans on only when the fridge is on. One more thing, do i buy 12 volt fans or AC fans?

Jamesb · 07-31-2019, 05:46 PM

Before everybody chimes in, since there are many threads on this, our fridge struggles also. Side by side fridge, also has the fans mounted on rear from factory. I did add two fans on top vent to help pull hot air out and tied them into the existing 12v, and fused and installed a toggle switch. Mine turned out great looking. BUT, I did not pay much attention to how much air they move. Mine are 5” CPU box cooling fans. And they do not move enough air. What ever you do, research that and get more for the bang. It takes a lot of air to cool. I wish the factory fans would run more than they do. When 91 degrees out, fridge is still at 43. Not good.

Creeker · 07-31-2019, 06:02 PM

These are the fans I used.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07NMC9X38...detail_0?psc=1

I found installing them on the bottom vent blowing upward to help
ours more than blowing out from the top. I used a thermo snap disc fan switch that kicks on at 90 degrees. The existing fans don't kick on until 130 degrees. I've not heard our factory fans kick on since installing these.
Huge improvement in performance.

beeje · 07-31-2019, 06:44 PM

Get an ARP devise with 2 fans. It keeps the fridge boiler tubes from over heating (preventing a fire) and creates more air flow through the fridge coils. 1 fan up top and 1 at the bottom. Just spent 2 weeks in myrtle beach 9Weeks ago) it was extremely hot weather and the fridge did just fine.

Jamesb · 07-31-2019, 08:13 PM

Has anyone ever found a way to modify the factory fans to run manually and/or automatically?

Creeker · 07-31-2019, 09:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jamesb

Has anyone ever found a way to modify the factory fans to run manually and/or automatically?

Easy as can be. A simple SPST toggle switch wired across (parallel) the existing thermal switch that control the fans. Turn the toggle on and it by-passes the thermal switch. Turn the toggle off and current must pass through the existing thermal switch to energize the fans.

psomers · 08-01-2019, 06:15 AM

I also have the factory installed fans. They seem to do a good job but are really noisy. All front wheel drive automobiles have electric cooling fans that move a lot of air and are 12V. I have been thinking of finding the right size one and mounting it behind the top vent pushing air out. I believe with a little imagination the fan could be mounted very easily maybe even zipped tied to back of vent.

KemoLondon · 08-01-2019, 06:38 PM

My OEM fans do not work well in hot temps. Did a mod by adding two fans in the fridge bottom vent compartment. Works great. Plugged the 110 into the outlet fridge is plugged.

KemoLondon · 08-01-2019, 06:39 PM

It comes with a on/off switch and three speeds.

joe1047 · 08-02-2019, 02:32 PM

I like the idea of the 110 ac fans that kemolondon is useing. Can you please tell me where you got them. Thank you

KemoLondon · 08-03-2019, 05:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joe1047

I like the idea of the 110 ac fans that kemolondon is useing. Can you please tell me where you got them. Thank you

Hey Joe, here's what I bought. Got it on Amazon. I really like the on off and speed control. The plug on the side of the compartment is 110AC so I added a 2 plug for fan and fridge.

AC Infinity AXIAL S1238D, Dual 120mm Muffin Fan with Speed Controller, for Doorway, Room to Room, Wood Stove, Fireplace, Circulation Projects

twindman · 08-03-2019, 08:47 AM

So do you open the cover every day to turn the fans on/off? Tho I guess you can just leave them on and when hooked up to 120V they would just work.
After looking on Amazon, did you install two of them stacked? Just curious.

KemoLondon · 08-03-2019, 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twindman

So do you open the cover every day to turn the fans on/off? Tho I guess you can just leave them on and when hooked up to 120V they would just work.
After looking on Amazon, did you install two of them stacked? Just curious.

Since they are plugged into the 110ac switch that controls the power to the fridge they only work when the shorepower is plugged in. Otherwise the gas turns on when fridge is on. So you could leave the power on it you'd like. But you can also turn the fans off if fridge is cool enough with out them. Look at my photo above and you'll see I stacked them. They come separate but use the same control with two leads.

Kemo

geobet · 08-03-2019, 10:26 AM

I took an approach similar to what KemoLondon did but with some variation about 2 years ago. I mounted two axial fans in the bottom compartment (behind the shroud) then installed 3 more at the top of the top compartment that blow straight out. I sealed all the voids around the top of the freezer with with metal tape to improve air movement.

In essence the bottom two force outside air up while the top three exhaust it to the outside. Mine are 110 volt with a remote control switch that I can turn on or off from inside (or outside) the coach. Proof is in the numbers. Before this mod, with the sun on the fridge side, temps would go from 38 to 45 degrees. Freezer struggled to keep at 36. Since the fan install, fridge stays between 33 and 36 while the freezer maintains 15 to 20 below zero. Keeps ice cream rock hard. Simple mod and well worth the cost.

beeje · 08-03-2019, 03:18 PM

Why go through all that. Just get the arp device with 2 fans. The fans simply zip tie to the removable exterior grills (one low and one high) Its all 12 volts. Protects the fridge from ever overheating causing a fire. Works weather you have shore power or not. The fans are thermostatically controlled to come on when needed.

FYI in some cases, with the fridge in installed on an angle, it may have to be removed to install the arp device. I think this situation is rare.

geobet · 08-03-2019, 03:48 PM

I hear ya beeje. But I went through "all that" for the singular objective of increased air flow. The arp, if I remember correctly moves 25 CFM. The AC Infinity AXIAL 1238, Muffin Fan, 115V 120V AC 120mm x 38mm High Speed, for DIY Cooling Ventilation Exhaust Projects moves 110 CFM or more than 4 times the volume of air than the ARP. Not trying to ignite a debate about either system but I'm very familiar with the ARP system. Installed two last year one in a Monty the other in a DRV. I fully recognize the safety aspect of the ARP, but my goal was to achieve "extreme" airflow - plus I did all the fan/bracket fabrication in my shop and purchased the fans for less than $50, if my 72 year old memory serves me right. Anyway, my setup works super fantastic for me so.....that's my story and I sticking to it!

joe1047 · 08-03-2019, 06:28 PM

Thank you all for your help. I just ordered the axial 1238 muffin fans
I will put them in when i get them, and follow up on the results. Thank you again

beeje · 08-03-2019, 06:41 PM

IMHO, no matter what kind or type of fans are installed (any are better than none) I believe it is more beneficial to have them at the top pushing the hot air out and drawing the cool air in from below than trying to push the hot air out the top from the bottom. Both is probably even better.

joe1047 · 08-03-2019, 06:46 PM

Yes thank you beeje, being that there are 2 fans from the factory at th top already , i may put one of the new fans at the bottom, and the other at the top .not sure yet, i will think about it.

beeje · 08-04-2019, 06:53 AM

Hard to tell, but since installing the ARP device with the 2 fans I don't think the stock fans come on anymore. At least I have not noticed them on.

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