My Fridge could be an oven how do i tell ?
Discussion
Went away this long weekend just gone. loaded the fridge with a lot of food for three days away. Expecting at least a cold beer once I had driven to the wilds of an old world war 2 airfield in Northamptonshire. It was hot when I got there but I could have done with out the hot toddy. Ok the fridge was packed a bit to much to be working properly I except that, but lukewarm beers REALLY....So a few people have said I could fit a computer fan extracting hot air out of the back space behind the fridge helping it to cool better. Any one got any thoughts or experience of doing this ?
Ours takes hours to get cool.
As others have said we don`t even bother running it on 12v on the way there, we just take the food in a cooler with a few ice packs and once we set up we throw the ice packs in the freezer section to give it a helping hand. It does get really chilly once it`s up and running though.
As others have said we don`t even bother running it on 12v on the way there, we just take the food in a cooler with a few ice packs and once we set up we throw the ice packs in the freezer section to give it a helping hand. It does get really chilly once it`s up and running though.
Lots of different things this could be and various tips as mentioned for making the fridge work better.
First thing I would be doing is to get it serviced by an expert. My fridge was running ok in the Hymer but figured it was worth having it serviced. Glad I did as the ignitor and burner were rusted to kingdom come - since the parts have been replaced, it runs a lot cooler to the point where I'm now turning it down to stop everything freezing. This makes me happier than on really hot days, I have some extra capacity.
How long did you cool yours down before setting off and loading it? I'd always make sure mine is turned on 12hrs before I set off. They seem to run more efficiently on gas than mains - at least to cool down initially. Mine is plugged in all the time anyway; before I was fulltiming, I'd just turn the fridge on a day or so before I left. But when I had it in storage, I'd pop down the evening before going away to turn the fridge on with the gas.
A lot of people fill their fridges with ice packs or cold drinks before they set off, which also helps to lower the temperature.
12v will keep the fridge cold on the move, but I'm not sure how effective it is at getting it down to temperature in the first place. So IMO you want to be giving it a good period of time before leaving to chill down.
But back to my original advice - get it serviced. Money well spent. Shouldn't cost you a massive amount more than 100quid even if you need a few parts changing.
First thing I would be doing is to get it serviced by an expert. My fridge was running ok in the Hymer but figured it was worth having it serviced. Glad I did as the ignitor and burner were rusted to kingdom come - since the parts have been replaced, it runs a lot cooler to the point where I'm now turning it down to stop everything freezing. This makes me happier than on really hot days, I have some extra capacity.
How long did you cool yours down before setting off and loading it? I'd always make sure mine is turned on 12hrs before I set off. They seem to run more efficiently on gas than mains - at least to cool down initially. Mine is plugged in all the time anyway; before I was fulltiming, I'd just turn the fridge on a day or so before I left. But when I had it in storage, I'd pop down the evening before going away to turn the fridge on with the gas.
A lot of people fill their fridges with ice packs or cold drinks before they set off, which also helps to lower the temperature.
12v will keep the fridge cold on the move, but I'm not sure how effective it is at getting it down to temperature in the first place. So IMO you want to be giving it a good period of time before leaving to chill down.
But back to my original advice - get it serviced. Money well spent. Shouldn't cost you a massive amount more than 100quid even if you need a few parts changing.
77racing said:
4Q love your handle 
OK seams that we didn't pre cool the fridge and was trying to get it down on the 12v from engine as you all say that is unlikely to appen. Lesson learn't.
That's the key... OK seams that we didn't pre cool the fridge and was trying to get it down on the 12v from engine as you all say that is unlikely to appen. Lesson learn't.The 12v will tend to keep it at or around the temperature you started with. So if its cool then it will keep it cool. If its warm it will struggle to really have a major effect.
If you can plug the MoHo into your home mains for several/many hours before you set off that would be good. Failing that get it started on gas for a couple of hours before you leave.
Then fill it with pre chilled food/beer. Perhaps chuck in some frozen ice bocks as well...anything to get the temp down.
I was away in France last weekend and it was blooming hot . Low and behold the fridge was not really cold again despite turning it on two days before we left. Whilst there I had a big 15" fan hoping to cool us down as it was 33 degrees. I turned the fan round one after noon to face the lower vent of the fridge outside. Will wonders never cease within a couple of hours the fridge was really cold and it saved all our food from ruining. I had the bonus of a ice cold beer
So now I know the fridge works really well it just needs an extra fan taking hot air out of the void behind the fridge.
What do I get, a small extractor or computer fans any help by those in the know please.
So now I know the fridge works really well it just needs an extra fan taking hot air out of the void behind the fridge.
What do I get, a small extractor or computer fans any help by those in the know please.
Yes - some folks do this as a mod themselves by wiring in a computer fan (or two or even three). A chap I was next to at Lake Garda a couple of years ago had rigged up 3 to a bpard which he sat in his bottom fridge vent when parked up merrily blowing away all day!
I have the Dometic version fitted to my fridge with a manual switch as it had a thermostat which cut in at way too high a temp imho and was non-adjustable.
I couldn't tell you how to fit it as I had it done with some other work but I have asked the question for you on a MH forum I am a member of. I'll update on here when I get an answer...
The other thing to do on hot days is try and keep the side of the MH with the fridge vents in, in some shade by winding out your canopy perhaps. Also take off both the top and bottom vent covers too. Failing that - do exactly as you did and fire a fan at the bottom vent.
UPDATE
Info on how to do it via this link...
http://forums.motorhomefacts.com/49-tech-mech-chat...
also here...
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/7dqb7fz4jcjp5t2/AABHhrK...
I have the Dometic version fitted to my fridge with a manual switch as it had a thermostat which cut in at way too high a temp imho and was non-adjustable.
I couldn't tell you how to fit it as I had it done with some other work but I have asked the question for you on a MH forum I am a member of. I'll update on here when I get an answer...
The other thing to do on hot days is try and keep the side of the MH with the fridge vents in, in some shade by winding out your canopy perhaps. Also take off both the top and bottom vent covers too. Failing that - do exactly as you did and fire a fan at the bottom vent.
UPDATE
Info on how to do it via this link...
http://forums.motorhomefacts.com/49-tech-mech-chat...
Edited by oblio on Friday 30th June 15:58
also here...
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/7dqb7fz4jcjp5t2/AABHhrK...
Edited by oblio on Friday 30th June 16:15
So I had an hour today and thought I would fit the new fridge extractor fan and a separate switch as we won't need it in the winter.
I just took the earth and live from top of the fridge and mounted the fan with self tappers blowing out. I used a 80mm computer fan but can add another if it needs it, will suck it and see as they say.
DSC_0983 by flat chat, on Flickr
and the little green switch above fridge control panel
DSC_0982 by flat chat, on Flickr
I just took the earth and live from top of the fridge and mounted the fan with self tappers blowing out. I used a 80mm computer fan but can add another if it needs it, will suck it and see as they say.
DSC_0983 by flat chat, on Flickrand the little green switch above fridge control panel
DSC_0982 by flat chat, on FlickrGassing Station | Tents, Caravans & Motorhomes | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff