Using the fridge exhaust fan

Photomom

We are in between camping trips and I've been running the fridge on 120v to keep it cold. I've kept the fridge exhaust fan on during the heat of the day and it makes a huge difference to the countertop temperature. Should I keep the fan on 24/7 when the fridge is on, or just when the countertop feels warm?

Verna

Photomom, I ran mine anytime while stationary and camping when the fridge was runnng. Otherwise the built-in fan on the left would run and it makes more noise. 

Nomad

I only turn mine on if the fridge fan starts up or if the countertop is too warm or if it's hot out and I'm leaving the T@B and won't know if the fridge is heating up.
Guess it's just that I'm always frugal when it comes to running stuff off the battery.

Tearjeeper

I was told by dealership that it should be on anytime fridge is on?

Photomom

It is really noisy - don't know if I could sleep with the fan running.

keithp

I wired a thermostat in-line with the fan so that it only runs when the area under the counter gets warm. It hardly ran at all last weekend at the beach.

Nomad

I find the fridge fan only kicks in when it's rather warm out - mine will go for a couple weeks without kicking in and then I'll have a warm day where it kicks in - then I turn the fan on till the fridge fan quits. Not sure I'd want to listen to either fan on all the time.

Nomad

Tearjeeper - Can understand a dealer saying that - a lot easier than trying to explain why there's an aux fan and when you need it.

Tabaz

Photomom said:

It is really noisy - don't know if I could sleep with the fan running.

Search "noisy Norcold" for a thread on fan noise.

Cyclonic

keithp said:

I wired a thermostat in-line with the fan so that it only runs when the area under the counter gets warm. It hardly ran at all last weekend at the beach.

Did the same here, turns on at 120°, off at 90°.  I have not noted the fan come on, but temps have been pretty low the last few weekends while camping.

cbarnhill

I ordered the replacement fans that Outbackaz recommended in the "noisy fan" thread above and he installed them for me (thanks frank). OMG what a difference. They both come on when needed and so quiet...

Nomad

Is Franks Fan Shop open to the general public, walk-in trade?
May have to think about doing this once I get back in workspace territory.

jkjenn

I found a fan made by Valeterra for the exact purpose of exhausting a fridge housed in small quarters. It has a thermostat and an on/off switch. One person, in the Q&A section for the product on amazon said it blows 3x harder than a computer fan.

http://rv101.tv/2012/02/28/how-to-install-an-rv-refrigerator-vent-fan