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Old 05-12-2020, 01:02 PM   #1
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Fridge reefer fan

Hello everyone! I just have a simply question I cannot find the answer for. My fiance and I have 91 Fleetwood pace Arrow with the tag axel. We recently just turned the fridge on (plugged into shore power). The fridge had absolutely no problem getting cold. I was curious about the reefer fan. As in when we should run the fan and for how long and how often. We are New the the RV experience and have been doing alot of research. Luckily the previous owner took care of this RV very well. Documented every thing that was ever done to it but I can't find any information about the fan for fridge. If anyone could help I'd greatly appreciate it!
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Old 05-12-2020, 01:05 PM   #2
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If you are talking about the fan inside the fridge, probably all the time during hot weather and any time the fridge don't maintain temps you desire
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Old 05-12-2020, 01:14 PM   #3
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No, it's not inside the fridge. It's in the compartment under the fridge. If that makes a difference. I'm not sure if that's what you mean.
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Old 05-12-2020, 01:53 PM   #4
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If it under the frig it's probably a thermostat controlled fan that the circuit board controlls. On my Landmark Rushmore fifth wheel I added two fans and it helped tremendously.
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Old 05-12-2020, 01:55 PM   #5
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If I am correct, the are two fans. One to circulate air from the freezer to the fridge side and the other is outside the fridge that circulates air through the coils. The coils act like a radiator in a car to help cool things down. The cleaner the coils the more efficient the fridge will operate. As for turning on and off, it should be all done automatically, as they will cycle through on their own. Well those are my thoughts... don't know if that helped!!
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Old 05-12-2020, 04:31 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Lenny2723 View Post
No, it's not inside the fridge. It's in the compartment under the fridge. If that makes a difference. I'm not sure if that's what you mean.

May NOT have anything to do with Fridge.
Sounds more like cooling fan for Converter/Charger.
Thermostatic controlled to remove heat from transformer that heats up when DC Load is high (charging battery/using 12VDC components etc)




Fridge fans are installed on backside of fridge Mid-Center area (above absorber tubes to pull air in thru lowwr access/vent panel and exhaust out thru top vent.


That vintage of RV Fridge most likely does NOT have external fan.






RV absorption fridges do NOT have fans to move cold freezer air to food compartment like residential fridges do.
Each fridge compartment has its own cooling coil to remove heat.


Post Brand/Model of fridge (look on door jamb/frame for info).
With that info...more specific info can be posted


As for that compartment under fridge......does it have a removable panel. Remove it and look inside.
Post what you find


Or post a picture.
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Old 05-12-2020, 04:39 PM   #7
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Originally Posted by Old-Biscuit View Post
May NOT have anything to do with Fridge.
Sounds more like cooling fan for Converter/Charger.

Post Brand/Model of fridge (look on door jamb/frame for info).
With that info...more specific info can be posted

As for that compartment under fridge......does it have a removable panel. Remove it and look inside.

Or post a picture.
I'm with Old-Biscuit on this , we're thinking that under the fridge is your converter/charger/circuit breaker / 12 volt fuse panel ; and that fan isn't part of the fridge operation.
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Old 05-13-2020, 05:17 AM   #8
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A bunch of us added computer fans to try to cool our 4 door high dollar fridges about 10 years ago

Inverter fan should be automatic

OP needs to snap a photo or 2
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Old 05-13-2020, 07:09 AM   #9
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Welcome to iRV2



The fridge fan is usually controlled by a thermistor if it's a Dometic and a snap switch if it's a Norcold and are automatic, set at about 130 degrees F. My history with Dometic is that the fan may fail by seizing or the thremistor not work.

The fan(s) for either brand are in the backside of the fridge and are almost impossible to replace without pulling the unit out of its space. There are workarounds though which we can help you with

On past RVs, the converter was placed underneath the fridge. That fan is also turned on or off via a temperature sensor - and may be prone to fail after many years. That fan may be replaceable, using a computer case fan - but verify whether it's a 12VDC or 120VAC fan.

Good luck with your new to you RV - we are here to help with almost any problems you encouter
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Old 05-13-2020, 12:25 PM   #10
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Quote:
It's in the compartment under the fridge. If that makes a difference. I'm not sure if that's what you mean.
Agree with Old Biscuit. That fan is not related to refrigerator operation, most likely for the 12v system converter/charger. There are two possible fans that might be for the fridge, one outside at the rear to help circulate air over the cooling unit, and one inside to move air around inside the fridge. Neither one was standard on old RVs, but more than a few owners added them.
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Old 05-15-2020, 11:25 AM   #11
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My fridge is a domestic classic, if that helps any. I have to manually turn it on and off. The previous owner did a bunch of work to it so I'm not completely sure if it's factory or not. I have enclosed a couple of pictures to hopefully better assist my question. Thank you everyone for taking the time to help!
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Old 05-15-2020, 11:41 AM   #12
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OK , fans added by the previous owner , you'd have to follow the red wire to figure the fan location , and that could be all the way at the top vent of the fridge .
Note ; I did a similar install of 4" box fans , under my roof vent , but for the most part ; until ambient temps exceed 85 ; the fridge works fine without the fans running.
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Old 05-15-2020, 01:17 PM   #13
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Pic help........


That is an ON/OFF switch which has been hand labeled on a piece of tape 'reefer fan'
Added by previous owner to add in draft for fridge


On/Off Switch COULD:
*turn fan on directly.....run continuously
*turn power onto a t-stat which then controls fan operation based on temps


So time to trace the lines and find out where they go.
Previous owner installed so you should be able to locate where wires come from (fused DC source) and go to (T-stat or directly to a fan)




Model of your DOMETIC fridge would be helpful
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