Norcold Thermocoupler Improvement

source3

I was not satisfied how the factory Norcold positioned the thermocoupler.  It is placed on the fridge cooling fins with an air gap down the center.  The fins have to get really hot before the thermocoupler would close and power the internal fan (I did the fan mod).  Since I build computers I had some extra Arctic Silver thermal compound (applied between the computer CPU and CPU fan to transfer heat) laying around.  Therefore, I removed the thermocoupler, applied some Arctic Silver, reattached the thermocoupler and within 30 seconds the thermocoupler warmed up and let the power flow to the internal fan. 

I know some people reposition the thermocoupler, but this is just another way to have the internal fan turn on sooner when the coils get hot.

Tabaz

Some photos would really help us non-techies understand what you did.  I would follow your lead if my skills allow.

Tommy

Hi @source3 thanks for the mod report. If you attached the TC directly to the metal with the conductive silver do  you think there's a risk of the fans running too often and becoming a battery drain issue? We really want the TC to react to the air temp in the enclosure, not the metal temp yes?

Like Outback said some pictures would help my brain understand and bring it home haha.

source3

Two fans running at 0.84 watts each with a fridge duty cycle at 50% (estimated) for 24 hours is approximately 20 amp-hours.  Depending on your battery capacity/recharge power consumption may be an issue.  If the cabinet is cooler, the fridge will run less.  Therefore, duty cycle of fridge may be less.  I am headed out for four days, I will monitor power consumption and see how things go.

And I usually leave the third fan on all the time (controlled by the toggle switch).

Will get pictures posted later next week.

mash2

Source3.  Isn't that 2 amp hours (not 20)? 

ChanW

I think you're right mash! 

mash2

Yep...

source3

Correct. 1.68amps.  I was in a hurry and translated watts as amps.  Now I recall that when I first installed the fans I calculated it around 2amps. 

FuzzyYanni

Your fridge will draw far less power if the surrounding area is cool. If the fan runs more often, it will draw yes, but your fridge will workless. I haven't calculated the math effective draw what ambient temperature is 10-25Degrees hotter, but it seems like a no-brainer to me.

If you are already switching on the additional fan mod, the emergency fin-fan will run even less.