Lazy Daze Owners' Group

Lazy Daze Forums => Lazy Daze Renovations & Improvements => Topic started by: tedeboy on September 18, 2021, 03:45:06 pm

Title: Refrigerator circulation fans
Post by: tedeboy on September 18, 2021, 03:45:06 pm
I had this in my previous LD also.
I consider it a "must have".

I love these fans.
They keep the cool air circulating while helping to minimize frost build up.

I ran the power leads out the back wall with the help of wire and attached them to the 12 VDC terminal.

http://rvcoolingunit.com/Dometic-3-fan-Special-Deluxe-Fan-with-White-LED-lights-15-34-inch-wide-P5661663.aspx

Title: Re: Refrigerator circulation fans
Post by: Joan on September 18, 2021, 04:00:37 pm
Fans can definitely increase cooling, but moving the thermistor to the top of the fin also lowers the refrigerator’s temperature.
Title: Re: Refrigerator circulation fans
Post by: Steve on September 18, 2021, 06:54:34 pm
The cooling fins allow moisture from humid air to condense out which ends up in the drip tray and on outside. I would suspect fans mounted on the fins would re-evaporate the moisture, keeping the humidity up. Fans mounted away from the fins would increase the rate moisture condenses on the fins, thus keeping the air drier.

Steve
Title: Re: Refrigerator circulation fans
Post by: tedeboy on September 18, 2021, 07:09:53 pm
The cooling fins allow moisture from humid air to condense out which ends up in the drip tray and on outside. I would suspect fans mounted on the fins would re-evaporate the moisture, keeping the humidity up. Fans mounted away from the fins would increase the rate moisture condenses on the fins, thus keeping the air drier.

Steve
I hadn't considered that.
I haven't noticed any difference in moisture in the fridge between having the fans and not having them however.
Title: Re: Refrigerator circulation fans
Post by: Blueox25 on September 18, 2021, 07:53:52 pm
And to complicate things further, dry air changes temperature faster (either heating or cooling) compared to moist, humid air.
Title: Re: Refrigerator circulation fans
Post by: RonB on September 19, 2021, 04:12:55 am
Another thing to consider, is that fans require motors, and stirring the air, and motors introduce heat into the inside of the refrigerator. That heat adds to the burden of the cooling unit work load.   RonB
Title: Re: Refrigerator circulation fans
Post by: Mike Coachman on September 19, 2021, 08:37:12 am
I added air circulation fans to the refrigerator in our previous Lazy Daze several years ago after suggestions by members of this group. There was a 6" pancake fan at the outside back of the unit blowing air up across the coils and out the top. The other was a 2" computer fan inside to circulate the interior air for the purpose of equalizing the temperature inside. This did improve the overall efficiency of the unit's operation and food preservation. So much so that I repeated adding the same fans in our new Rear Bath refrigerator. They both run continuously whenever the refrigerator is turned on. The inside 2" fan gets it's power from the light pre-switch power supply. The outside fan's power comes from the power going to the back circuit board. The interior cooling fins still adequately remove moisture buildup inside the box. Anytime the door is opened there is always going to be a significant loss or cool air that has to be replaced. The fans do help.
Title: Re: Refrigerator circulation fans
Post by: Wingersky on September 19, 2021, 01:51:01 pm
I added air circulation fans to the refrigerator in our previous Lazy Daze several years ago after suggestions by members of this group. There was a 6" pancake fan at the outside back of the unit blowing air up across the coils and out the top. The other was a 2" computer fan inside to circulate the interior air for the purpose of equalizing the temperature inside. This did improve the overall efficiency of the unit's operation and food preservation. So much so that I repeated adding the same fans in our new Rear Bath refrigerator. They both run continuously whenever the refrigerator is turned on. The inside 2" fan gets it's power from the light pre-switch power supply. The outside fan's power comes from the power going to the back circuit board. The interior cooling fins still adequately remove moisture buildup inside the box. Anytime the door is opened there is always going to be a significant loss or cool air that has to be replaced. The fans do help.

I could not tell from the photos, so I have to ask:
Are zip ties holding the fan in place?
Title: Re: Refrigerator circulation fans
Post by: Mike Coachman on September 19, 2021, 03:13:30 pm
"I could not tell from the photos, so I have to ask:
Are zip ties holding the fan in place?"

Only the 2" fan inside the refrigerator is hung with two zip ties. (photo) The 6" outside fan is mounted to two metal brackets.