Refrigerator Coil Fan?

[BipeFlier]

We have a 30SKP with the refrigerator in the kitchen slide. This puts the top vent on the side instead of on the roof as normal.



Has anyone installed one of the vent fan kits and if so, have you noticed improvement in cooling during warm weather?



TIA.

[Hunter11]

Marvin, our fridge in not in the slide out but I do have a coil fan installed on ours. I can tell you it does make a difference down here in this Texas heat.I turn it on during the day then off after dark. If I don't use it the fridge still cools but it is about 5* warmer and will not cool back down as fast after the door has been opened as when using it. I think it is well worth the small investment and easy install.

[Stan]

Are you sure you don't already have one? My '07 came with one. It had a thermal switch to kick the fan on at a preset temperature. I never noticed it coming on even in very hot temps so I removed the thermal switch sensor and installed a manual on/off switch. Now I can turn it on and off at will. I think it helps but not much. A larger fan may help more.

[fixit5561]

I installed a computer case fan in mine and I agree it does help. The fridge wasnt getting any cooler than about 40 degrees. After the fan I added it got a few degrees lower.



I also added a mod to my fridge after that, a temp control knob (I hated the fact that I couldnt adjust the fridge temperature at all)I tied into the thermistor circuit and it fools the fridge into thinking it needs to get colder. I can adjust my fridge down so far now that I can get it downto 17 degrees.

[Hunter11]

Brian, I would be very interested in getting the details of that mod from you.

[fixit5561]

Hi Hunter



Here is a link to the post with the details on how to do it and what parts you need. http://www.crossroadsrv.com/forum/fo...s.asp?TID=2357



Whats nice about this mod is that it has been about 90+ here in MI this past few weeks and I was able to turn my fridge down about 2/3 of the way, with the knob, and keep it at a cool 35 degrees. Even when it hit 99 here it still stayed that cool.Edited by: fixit5561

[dja29RK]

I the same unit you do. The fan is in the upper portion of the refrigerator. I have a Norcold.

[dalemac377]

I had a circulating fan in cooling coil compartment on both my 07 30sk and my '10 30skp. If you remove the lower exterior grille from the refridge compartment and look up inside, you should see about a 4" fan. I have heard itturn off and on so I guess it is temp operated.

[Hamops]

Originally Posted by fixit5561

Hi Hunter



Here is a link to the post with the details on how to do it and what parts you need. http://www.crossroadsrv.com/forum/fo...s.asp?TID=2357



Whats nice about this mod is that it has been about 90+ here in MI this past few weeks and I was able to turn my fridge down about 2/3 of the way, with the knob, and keep it at a cool 35 degrees. Even when it hit 99 here it still stayed that cool.

I like your modification. Pictures of your mod would have been a great addition to your description.
Besides the built-in fan at the top of the fridge coils, I installed two 12V computer fans at the back of the fridge and have them controlled by atemperature switch. They come on when the amibient air is greater than 75 degs and shut off at about 70 degs. (picture shows the installation not complete)




For those who are curious about the built-in fan, hereare pictures of it and the thermostat that controls it.

[avvidclif]

Mine is at the dealer now because it wouldn't cool. They were mumbling about a bad thermistor. Methinks I just need to do the thermistor mod once I get it back. I also hate not having a temp control.



Fixit if I'm reading your post correctly you paralleled the thermistor with a 100k pot. Is that correct?

[BipeFlier]

Originally Posted by Stan

Are you sure you don't already have one? My '07 came with one. It had a thermal switch to kick the fan on at a preset temperature.

Thanks guys, you saved me some time and trouble. I took the top grill off and with a mirror I can see the fan that is already in there!! Kudos to Crossroads for adding this at the factory!!



It isn't really hot here yet (86 F) but I will check later this afternoon to see if it kicks on.



Thanks again everyone.

[fixit5561]

Originally Posted by avvidclif

Mine is at the dealer now because it wouldn't cool. They were mumbling about a bad thermistor. Methinks I just need to do the thermistor mod once I get it back. I also hate not having a temp control.

Fixit if I'm reading your post correctly you paralleled the thermistor with a 100k pot. Is that correct?

Yes it is just added into the line is all. you cut both wires, reattach them back together, and then add the wires from the 100k pot. one wire goes to each wire you cut.



I talked about the Dinosaur board model in my original post on the mod, and it is set up the same way. So I figured why not just add one inline like they do, but make it easier to get to for fine tuning.

[Hamops]

Originally Posted by fixit5561

Yes it is just added into the line is all. you cut both wires, reattach them back together, and then add the wires from the 100k pot. one wire goes to each wire you cut.



I talked about the Dinosaur board model in my original post on the mod, and it is set up the same way. So I figured why not just add one inline like they do, but make it easier to get to for fine tuning.

Are you saying that you connected the potentiometer in series with the thermistor or did you install the potentiometer in place of the thermistor?

Edited by: Hamops

[avvidclif]

Neither, it is paralleled with the thermistor. From what I can decipher. It allows you to vary the resistance from almost the original to lower.

[fixit5561]

Originally Posted by avvidclif

Neither, it is paralleled with the thermistor. From what I can decipher. It allows you to vary the resistance from almost the original to lower.

This is correct it is just ran parallel to the thermistor.



You put one wire to each wire that is on the thermistor.



There are two wires that come from the control board that go to the thermistor. You cut both of them wires and then reconnect them together along with 1 wire from the two wires coming from the pot.

[Hamops]

Thanks Gents. That actually sounds pretty simple to do, as long as you can get access to the thermistor lead wires.

[avvidclif]

There are two wires that come from the control board that go to the thermistor. You cut both of them wires and then reconnect them together along with 1 wire from the two wires coming from the pot.

end quote



It wouldn't be near as confusing if you said remove some of the insulation on each lead of the thermistor and attach the pot to each lead.



Just my 2 cents worth...

[fixit5561]

yes but then it would make sense, and I sure dont know anythingabout making sense! LOL

[Stan]

I bought the parts from Radio Shack today and did this mod. I am in the testing phase now. It's pretty simple especially on the "fridge in slide" floorplans as the upper access panel makes it real easy to fish the wires out the back.