Camco Refrigerator Solar Vent Fans

[GaryKD]

About a year ago I purchase a Camco Refrigerator Vent Solar Powered Fan. I also purchase an additional solar panel and fan. I'd post the URL, but they have a less than user friendly web site and the URL does not take one directly to the item.

Last week I checked and the front solar panel was not producing and VDC. Also the front fan would not turn. The rear fan would turn with considerable noise.

I contacted Camco and they sent me two new solar panels and two new fans free of any charge. I just installed the new parts and every thing is working. Camco gets my pick for future purchases.

[hoppers4]

Always good to hear positive remarks about manufacturerers!!

[Tincup]

GaryKD,

Is this the unit you have?



If so, do the fans come on when a certain temperature is reached or do they run all the time?

[Tincup]

Ooops, the link didn't print,

See here http://http://www.rvstuffusa.com/rvr...mbycamco1.html

[GaryKD]

Hi Tincup,
The link in post #4 is no good. To answer your questions, the fans are on when there is enough sunlight for the solar panels to power them. This means the fans are on from sun up to sun down. This is the link to what I have:
Camco Mfg Inc - Solar-powered RV Fridge Vent System - Refrigerator Accessories - Camping World

I also purchased and extra solar panel and fan. The picture shows a space for a 2nd solar panel behind the one already installed.

[wa8yxm]

I need to replace my cover sooner or later (Tree damage) and am glad to hear you are happy with the customer service from Camco..

I have been considering that product.. I just moved up on the list.

[Gary - K7GLD]

Quote:

To answer your questions, the fans are on when there is enough sunlight for the solar panels to power them. This means the fans are on from sun up to sun down.

Which unfortunately, means that if you prefer to park the RV in the shade to keep the RV cooler as most of us do when it's available, the fans will work at poor efficiency, perhaps not at all, even during daylight hours...

And as I had posted in another earlier related thread, the solar panels commonly used in outdoor lighting and setups like under discussion here, are usually of poor quality, and don't last long - 1-2 seasons, so I'm not surprised at the results posted here, and they're quite likely to be repeated in another year or 2...

All this is why on my own setup, I use low current draw PC-type muffin fans controlled by temperature switches as to only operate as needed, and powered by the MH house batteries - a single fan only draws 1/3 amp, and is usually sufficient to do the job, night or day, sunshine or no.

To each his own, YMMV!

[GaryKD]

Hi wa8yxm,
If you purchase this item, make sure you get the latest version components. The solar panels need to be framed with aluminum. They have 4 screws to hold them in place.

The old/original solar panels had no fame, just the glass composite. These had six screws to hold them in place.

The aluminum frame allows the solar panels to remain flat, without warping. Warping a solar panel is a sure way to shorten its' life.