BajaNomad - Propane Fridge fan?

Propane Fridge fan?

Royosbaja - 7-27-2018 at 04:01 AM

Does anyone have first hand experience with the little battery operated fans for use in RV fridges?
I have a "cabin" fridge and was wondering if one would help out.

Looking at battery since my location is off-grid.

Thanks

woody with a view - 7-27-2018 at 05:27 AM

Get a computer fan.

woody with a view - 7-27-2018 at 05:29 AM

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/aw/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_2_12?k=compu...

dizzyspots - 7-27-2018 at 07:20 AM

I out a replacement refrigerator vent hood that has a small solar panel on top on the propane fridge in our truck camper...not sure if that would work for you or not...i think its made by Camco

www.amazon.com/Camco-42165-Refrigerator-Solar-System/dp/B001...

[Edited on 7-27-2018 by dizzyspots]

larryC - 7-27-2018 at 07:34 AM

Propane fridges, especially this time of year, struggle to keep food cold enough so that the food will last any length of time. Its just the nature of the beast. The fans that are designed to circulate the cold air up from the bottom of the fridge do work but are marginal at best. The best hot climate fridge I have found is to use a small chest freezer and convert it to a fridge using a temp switch similar to what the home beer brewers use.
Here is an old link to a post that I started back in 2010 but the info is still good.
http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=47172#pid5384...
Hope it helps you with your problem.

[Edited on 7-27-2018 by larryC]

Timinator - 7-27-2018 at 10:47 AM

Two fans; one to help blow or suck the heat up the exhaust vent

two. fan inside the fridge itself to circulate the cold air that accumulates at the bottom of the fridge.

It's because you probably have an older fridge. The exhaust fan will help more than the fan inside the fridge itself if you can rig a solar one or something.

FWIW, the newer fridges work even in this heat. Expensive but no more worries. I finally replaced a fridge that was marginally Ok when I camped at BOLA. With the new fridge it got as cold as I could make in the 2 setting without the fridge portion starting to freeze things. It was a Dometic.

Royosbaja - 7-28-2018 at 05:25 AM

Thanks for the suggestions.
I had already got one of those CHEAP little fans and will let you know if it works.
My solar is old and limited, (kind of like the owner), but once I upgrade it, the mini-freezer conversion sounds interesting.

Thanks again, safe travels

Bob and Susan - 7-28-2018 at 06:35 AM

propane fridgs don't work well in the summer in baja...too humid

having a flame in the kitchen in the summer isn't the BEST idea either...
it's too hot : )
winter they work ok

you NEED to keep food at 40f to 42f all the time or you risk damage and sickness

forget converting a chest freezer too...they use electricity at the same rate as a electric fridg

just buy a 12cf to 13 cf fridg and plug it in
these will use 100w to 130w when working and they don't work all the time (1-1.5amps)

if you cant run an amp of power all night your battery bank is too small and you need to buy more

larryC - 7-28-2018 at 08:04 AM

Bob
The info you put out never ceases to amaze me.
"forget converting a chest freezer too...they use electricity at the same rate as a electric fridg"
Yes they use it at the same rate but they only run a few minutes an hour. The propane conversion I did used less watts than a 14 watt fluorescent bulb in a 24 hour period. I tested it with a Killawatt meter and gave the results in my post from 2010.

"just buy a 12cf to 13 cf fridg and plug it in
these will use 100w to 130w when working and they don't work all the time (1-1.5amps)"

Actually the 1 to 1.5 amps the refer will use is amps AC. If you have a 12v battery bank then you will be using 10 to 15 amps out of you bank when the refer is running which during the winter will average 900 to 1000 watts a day and in the summer when ambient temps are above 90 degrees can be as hi as 3000 watts a day. The freezer conversion I tested used right around 200 watts in a 24 hour period.

SFandH - 7-28-2018 at 08:50 AM

My RV refer was having trouble cooling last October (hot outside) at Santispac. A retired gringo propane refer technician who has a place nearby came over and installed a computer fan beneath the absorber vessel, a cylindrical tank at the bottom of the cooling mechanism that is accessible from the exterior door on the side of the RV. The objective was to cool the tank. He found power for the fan within the mechanism.

He also took apart the tin surrounding the burner, cleaned the area and cleaned some small tubes that he took apart above the burner.

And he disconnected the propane feed tube from the tank and from the inside of the refer and blew it out with compressed air. There was some oily substance in it.

So, after the refer tune-up, it worked great!

[Edited on 7-28-2018 by SFandH]

Bob and Susan - 7-28-2018 at 09:05 AM

fact: propane fridgs don't work well in the humidity and 110f

fact: new electric fridgs are efficient and use little energy

fact: there is A lot of sun in baja...the only time you need stored energy to use electric appliances is between 6pm and 9am (15 hours)

fact: if you don't keep your food at 40f it may give you food poisoning

fact: if you have a "real kitchen" you DONT want a flame in it in the summer...even a pilot light in a stove

fact: most people use 120v electricity not 12volts in a "real kitchen"

fact: propane has oil added to it...after refilling tanks over and over there is ALOT of oil in the propane tank that gums up stuff

SFandH - 7-28-2018 at 09:21 AM

What is the difference in efficiency in electric refrigerators that use a compressor, versus absorption refrigerators that are installed in RVs running on electricity instead of propane?

[Edited on 7-28-2018 by SFandH]

Bob and Susan - 7-28-2018 at 10:43 AM

Quote: Originally posted by willardguy

and Larry's correct, you can build a super efficient chest freezer for very little dough (compared to a Sundanzer). just free the condensing coils, add 3 or 4 inches of quality insulation, cover with FRP and re-attach the coils on the outside. the thermostat's are fifty bucks and you can always find chest freezers for the same.

yup...lets put our food in an old rusty thing like that : )

just go buy a new one...stop being cheap!!!

remember...you worked for THIS TIME...you cant take it with you

Bob and Susan - 7-28-2018 at 10:47 AM

I was looking at some new fridges a while ago...

did you know some have a "screen" on them that you can send texts to the "hubby" to pick up milk and eggs...or

watch the amazon guy deliver a package to the front door or
watch the guy behind him steal it

new stuff is just better than old stuff

[Edited on 7-28-2018 by Bob and Susan]

screen.jpg - 28kB

willardguy - 7-28-2018 at 11:17 AM

yeah but all he wants is a small battery operated fan......

rts551 - 7-28-2018 at 11:30 AM

My 1940's Servel works very well in he summertime.

I converted to one of the new SamSung (LG makes them too) inverter model refrigerator. Uses very little electricity and is locally available. Others have done the same now.

Yes..some propane bottles are dirty and can foul (usually) your regulator. I put a loop in the supply line that act as a trap.

No I do not want to sell the Servel.

rts551 - 7-28-2018 at 03:30 PM

Quote: Originally posted by willardguy

Quote: Originally posted by rts551

My 1940's Servel works very well in he summertime.

I converted to one of the new SamSung (LG makes them too) inverter model refrigerator. Uses very little electricity and is locally available. Others have done the same now.

Yes..some propane bottles are dirty and can foul (usually) your regulator. I put a loop in the supply line that act as a trap.

No I do not want to sell the Servel.

daughter just bought a samsung, they had a cut-away demonstration of these new compressors....very impressive!

They work...most of the time when it is running..... uses .9 amps. during start-up 1.3 to 1.8.

John Harper - 7-28-2018 at 04:35 PM

Quote: Originally posted by rts551

I converted to one of the new SamSung (LG makes them too) inverter model refrigerator. Uses very little electricity and is locally available. Others have done the same now.

What models of Samsung? 12V or 110V? Cubic ft? My roommate is having troubles with her propane fridge, maybe wants to upgrade sometime. She has solar system, although I'm not sure the output, but I think she has 3-4 batteries, the real heavy ones.

John

willardguy - 7-28-2018 at 04:42 PM

Quote: Originally posted by John Harper

Quote: Originally posted by rts551

I converted to one of the new SamSung (LG makes them too) inverter model refrigerator. Uses very little electricity and is locally available. Others have done the same now.

didn't Kathy just buy that 40 years ago? :lol:

the startup surge on these inverter compressors make em really attractive!

rts551 - 7-28-2018 at 04:51 PM

Quote: Originally posted by John Harper

Quote: Originally posted by rts551

I converted to one of the new SamSung (LG makes them too) inverter model refrigerator. Uses very little electricity and is locally available. Others have done the same now.

I bought the samsung 110 volt 9 cf model. they have larger ones.

rts551 - 7-28-2018 at 04:54 PM

Similar too this one. I bought it from Coppel
https://www.samsung.com/ph/refrigerators/top-mount-freezer-r...

8000 pesos when I bought mine.

[Edited on 7-28-2018 by rts551]

John Harper - 7-28-2018 at 06:05 PM

Quote: Originally posted by willardguy

[rquote=1129861&tid=90893&author=John Harper
didn't Kathy just buy that 40 years ago? :lol:

the startup surge on these inverter compressors make em really attractive!

That one's in the entry way, used for storage. She's got another crappy one that's just a bit newer.

John

larryC - 7-28-2018 at 07:48 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Bob and Susan

fact: propane fridgs don't work well in the humidity and 110f True

fact: new electric fridgs are efficient and use little energy 100% correct

fact: there is A lot of sun in baja...the only time you need stored energy to use electric appliances is between 6pm and 9am (15 hours)mostly correct

fact: if you don't keep your food at 40f it may give you food poisoning True

fact: if you have a "real kitchen" you DONT want a flame in it in the summer...even a pilot light in a stove Correct

fact: most people use 120v electricity not 12volts in a "real kitchen" True, but the OP has a propane refer so his kitchen may not meet your specs as a real kitchen. The reason I gave the 12v amps to 120v amps comparison is because 12v is common for a battery bank on smaller systems and so it takes 10 times the listed amps on an appliance out of your battery bank to run that appliance. To be clear an appliance that uses 2 amps at 120v ac will use 20a+ amps out of your 12v battery bank while it is running.

fact: propane has oil added to it...after refilling tanks over and over there is ALOT of oil in the propane tank that gums up stuff True

If you weren't so much fun Bob I wouldn't bother to respond but since you are I will try.

rts551 - 7-28-2018 at 09:06 PM

Larry, we spend so much time trying to out do ourselves that the original question gets lost.

larryC - 7-29-2018 at 08:19 AM

You are right Ralph, I let him get to me. It seemed like the OP was trying to get his propane refer to work a little better and I was just trying to suggest a low cost solar friendly alternative to gas refrigeration. Mine works so well for beer and sodas that I thought I would pass the info on.

rts551 - 7-29-2018 at 09:15 AM

Quote: Originally posted by larryC

You are right Ralph, I let him get to me. It seemed like the OP was trying to get his propane refer to work a little better and I was just trying to suggest a low cost solar friendly alternative to gas refrigeration. Mine works so well f. or beer and sodas that I thought I would pass the info on.

I agree amigo. I did the same with the elec frig comment. GUILTY.

David K - 7-29-2018 at 09:37 AM

I am glad I know nothing about this subject to join the catfight! LOL :light:

I remember my dad finding a Servel propane fridge after we leased a lot at Bahía Santa María (south of San Felipe) in 1972. It was a big deal back then to have a gas fridge before solar power systems. My folks never built the beach house on that lot and in just a few years, the bay changed shape and the houses built on each side of our lot were lost. That was about 1977 or 78, I think?

[Edited on 7-29-2018 by David K]

Bob and Susan - 7-29-2018 at 10:36 AM

why send the poor guy down the WRONG road when we all know propane fridges are part of the past...
and don't work in the heat
aux fans are a lost cause...if they worked there would be a kit for sale to FIX the problem by now

they are kinda like steam trains or phone booths...or
dinosaurs

I attached a map for david so he would see what I mean : )

David K - 7-29-2018 at 10:46 AM

Thank you! :light:

caj13 - 7-29-2018 at 10:58 AM

Quote: Originally posted by David K

I am glad I know nothing about this subject to join the catfight! LOL :light:

you sure it wasn't rising sea levels that caused the problems? :lol:

del mar - 7-29-2018 at 11:22 AM

hotrodded chest freezer with freed condenser coils with a digital inverter compressor.....now we're talkin! :yes:

David K - 7-29-2018 at 11:30 AM

Quote: Originally posted by caj13

Quote: Originally posted by David K

I am glad I know nothing about this subject to join the catfight! LOL :light:

you sure it wasn't rising sea levels that caused the problems? :lol:

Positive! The houses built in the 70s and after that didn't wash away from moving sand are still just as far above the sea as always!

rts551 - 7-29-2018 at 12:08 PM

Quote: Originally posted by David K

Quote: Originally posted by caj13

Quote: Originally posted by David K

I am glad I know nothing about this subject to join the catfight! LOL :light:

you sure it wasn't rising sea levels that caused the problems? :lol:

Positive! The houses built in the 70s and after that didn't wash away from moving sand are still just as far above the sea as always!

wonder what caused the houses built to be lost. shifting sands no doubt.

rts551 - 7-29-2018 at 12:12 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Bob and Susan

why send the poor guy down the WRONG road when we all know propane fridges are part of the past...
and don't work in the heat
aux fans are a lost cause...if they worked there would be a kit for sale to FIX the problem by now

they are kinda like steam trains or phone booths...or
dinosaurs

I attached a map for david so he would see what I mean : )

The old servel frigs still command a hefty price.....and work in the heat. But the new electric is cheaper if you already have solar power.

If you find any old servels in the dumping ground, let us know.

hermosok123 - 7-29-2018 at 12:22 PM

Is there a related site so that I can figure out the standard dimensions of the Samsung fridge? Math challenged I am attempting to see if it would fit in my Dometics' space in my 5th wheel. Now don't ask me those dimensions as the rig is at Gonzaga.

caj13 - 7-29-2018 at 12:26 PM

Quote: Originally posted by David K

Quote: Originally posted by caj13

Quote: Originally posted by David K

I am glad I know nothing about this subject to join the catfight! LOL :light:

you sure it wasn't rising sea levels that caused the problems? :lol:

Positive! The houses built in the 70s and after that didn't wash away from moving sand are still just as far above the sea as always!

so if the sand is always moving, how do you know that the elevation and distance remains the same ?

SFandH - 7-29-2018 at 01:12 PM

Let's keep this thread about solar/propane refrigerators. Important items when living away from 120 VAC.

rts551 - 7-29-2018 at 01:29 PM

Quote: Originally posted by hermosok123

Is there a related site so that I can figure out the standard dimensions of the Samsung fridge? Math challenged I am attempting to see if it would fit in my Dometics' space in my 5th wheel. Now don't ask me those dimensions as the rig is at Gonzaga.

LG model....availbable in Mexico. https://www.coppel.com/refrigerador-lg-top-mount-lt29wpp-9-p...

Samsumg model .... https://www.samsung.com/ph/refrigerators/top-mount-freezer-r...

measurements are metric but easy to convert https://www.inches-to-cm.com/cm-to-inches.php

Royosbaja - 7-30-2018 at 07:01 AM

thanks again to all those responses. I enjoyed both the education and the levity.

I currently have a MSW inverter and I understand the refrigerators do not do well with them,( the ceiling fans definitely let you know they are running, HAHAHA). I could not find enough info concerning how well the newer inverter frigs work with a MSW setup.

It is my plan to upgrade to a PSW inverter soon. There are so many out there now that it makes my head swim researching them.

I have a Crystal Cold propane unit that came with the casita, no idea of the age, (wish I have a Servall...)