The RVers Corner

[Mickey]

After many false starts this year, we got away for a few days this past week.

The MH is an 89 model, mini-Winnie. I couldn't be more pleased that all systems are original and still running. We're having a heat spell, >90° at present and the frig had no problems keeping the interior between 37° - 40°. With water pump left on for extended periods, no periodic cycling. Even toilet bowl holds water. Heater was only item not used.

Had shore power and son made comment on how quiet he thought the A.C. was. Not bad as he has a newer RV with ducted airflow.

Hope the rest of you can report similar favorable experience from your rigs.

[admin]

OHMYGOSH! No problems? Good for you, Mickey!
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Les Doll

Board Administrator
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[Mickey]

Thanks, Les. Not saying I've never had any problems with any of the systems but they have all been minor ones. There was a period about 10 yrs ago where I had some problems with the frig not keeping things cold but a little fussing and tinkering and all is well now. Same for water pump. Replaced the diaphragm a few yrs back to address some leak down.

Have had to pull the heater a couple times but in ever instance the problem was some tiny creepy crawlies had found their way into the burner orifice.

Oh, a couple yrs ago I replaced the old Magnatek converter and replaced with a PD model. No real problem with the Magnatek but wanted something a little nicer for charging.

Past week, had to replace the chassis battery for second time which is not bad for a rig of this age. Coach batteries have not done quite as well but certainly not premature failures.

[jaaybird]

good for you Mickey!

[Russ Chastain]

[Mickey]

Russ, can't say that anything I did specifically was the cause for returning the cooling efficiency. It has been a number of yrs but here are a few things I've done at various times.

* Added a small fan to the cooling fins to the interior forcing better airflow /cooling. Instrumented tests show interior temps within a couple degrees of one another. This fan runs full time when the frig is on. This fan uses ~.1A when running.

* Added a fan at the top of the chimney to help with air flow during hot spells. Temp measurements show air temp above the fan to be ~20° hotter than off to the side where it is just the natural convection. This fan uses ~.2A when running. I only use it in very hot weather and when frig is exposed to the sun.

* I have moved the temp sensor on the cooling fins to insure a good physical connection.

* Pulled the control board (this is a Norcold frig) and checked and I seem to remember cleaning a couple connection that were made via spade connectors.

* Using an extension on an air valve, I gave the burner chimney a good blowing out. Have also gave the metal parts near the burner a decent cleaning with a brush. (NOT the orifice)

As I've mentioned in the past, the tstat has nothing to do with cooling rate, just the temp at which the unit turns on/off. The temp control is a slide pot and I have it set about 25-30% up the range to maintain frig temps in the 38°-40° range.

Nothing major here. Just a Little PM and enhancement of air flow where I thought it would help.

[jaaybird]

Nothing major here. Just a Little PM and enhancement of air flow where I thought it would

Mickey!

NOTHING MAJOR? HA! Being an mechanical engineer like you were, this is a piece of cake for you, for us " two left handed people" that is MAJOR!

jaybird

[Russ Chastain]

They're all worthwhile improvements, for sure.
_________________
- Russ

[Eric J]

speaking of fans, I was working on a GE mongram frig (I try to stay away from if I can) like only 3 years old having major problems, it had some kinda damper control in it that was broken with a 12v muffin fan in it. had to get the whole complete thing to fix the problem, and I needed something in my junker as I call it, to move a slight bit of air tourd the thermostate when the heat is on, so I mounted lil 4 inch muffin fan and fused it with a small toggel switch and it evened the temp out inside better than I thought it could. so I can see a small fan it the fring could make a big difference

[Mickey]

Ah, shucks JB. I really don't look at my self as being more talented that the next guy. I will say it does help if one has an understanding of how things work.

Anyone interested in adding a fan or two to their frig, here is how I did it.

The interior fan is an 80mm model, Panaflow, ball bearing and low power demand. <100 cu ft a min air flow but we're talking small space. Can't hear it running. For mounting I use some rigid foam (4) pieces cut thick enough so they would wedge between the fins. (Just made the foam large enough to accept the screws and have enough surface area to grab onto the fins.) Using small sheet metal screws, I screwed the fan to the foam then pressed foam between the fins. Ran a couple small wires out through the drain hole and made connections to the 12V power at the back of the frig. Used the connection that are only powered when the frig was turned on. Oh, mounted the fan so air movement was toward the heat sink. I can feel the air flow moving down the fins which give the air some time to be in contact with the cold surface.

The other fan mounted at the top of the chimney, a 120mm sized one, I used tie-wraps to secure to the screen that covers the top of the chimney and under the cover. Mounted over the burner chimney. Dropped the wires down the back, added a switch and connected the leads to a 12V source, that has power all the time.

Bought both fan at a surplus source and paid something like $5 ea.

Hope this helps if you are interested in adding fans.