Norcold Refrigerator Test

[ka9nyn]

First: a very well thought out and considered approach w/ good empirical data.

Second: I see no mention of using baffles to cause all air flowing through the enclosure, save the burner flue, to have to pass over the condenser fins.
I learned about this on popupportal and popexplorer. Installing baffles made from aluminum flashing, and adding 2 fans exhausting the compartment, markedly improved my popup's fridge performance. To the point of slushing milk in the door of the fridge, on very hot days (no temp data taken)

Anyway, by all the air passing over the condenser fins, greater BTU exchange was possible, improving the ops of the fridge.

Your Mileage May Vary...

[ThePair]

Originally Posted by ka9nyn

First: a very well thought out and considered approach w/ good empirical data.

Second: I see no mention of using baffles to cause all air flowing through the enclosure, save the burner flue, to have to pass over the condenser fins.
I learned about this on popupportal and popexplorer. Installing baffles made from aluminum flashing, and adding 2 fans exhausting the compartment, markedly improved my popup's fridge performance. To the point of slushing milk in the door of the fridge, on very hot days (no temp data taken)

Anyway, by all the air passing over the condenser fins, greater BTU exchange was possible, improving the ops of the fridge.

Your Mileage May Vary...

I thought about baffles from the get-go. Problem is, it's really, really crowded on the right side with the heaters, and I didn't want to constrict airflow in any way that would potentially compromise the burner. Joke is, I have only used the burner once, and that was only because the electric post I was using had a bad fuse and needed to be replaced.

But, with the dryer-vent tubing for the closed TM stock fan, and all the other stuff crammed in back there, I couldn't really figure out a way to add baffles (I was baffled?), so I gave up on that idea and went with the vent fans instead.

As to venting the AC down to the fridge -- I'm not really sure how to do that directly, as the AC unit is on the ceiling. However, it would be very possible to add a vent fan to the lower/right/back corner of the side of the fridge, especially on the SL/SD models as that corner is exposed to the room. Point the airflow inward, and now you've got whatever is inside the cabin blowing into the bottom of the fridge compartment, which is going to be cooler than the outside air -- and it's entering at the bottom which will help convection rather than fight against it. Simple install, tap into 12V anywhere, and put in a switch.

Heck, I'm tempted now to try this.

Another thought I had long ago was the opposite -- try to vent the hot air out to the room to supplement the heater on cool days. Conceptually, putting a similar fan at the top of the compartment, blowing out, would accomplish this.

[ka9nyn]

http://www.popupportal.com/index.php...5455#msg815455

One method for baffle, but others are out there.

As I just purchased my NTU (7/18/15) 2001 2720, I'll need to become more familiar with the setup.

[ShrimpBurrito]

Originally Posted by ThePair

Another thought I had long ago was the opposite -- try to vent the hot air out to the room to supplement the heater on cool days. Conceptually, putting a similar fan at the top of the compartment, blowing out, would accomplish this.

I don't think I would do this due to the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. You might think the risk would be low to the size of the flame, but a relative's entire family was sickened (vomiting) one night due to carbon monoxide poisoning from an old household absorption fridge. Bigger fridge and presumably bigger flame, yes, but also a much bigger living space.

It's not worth it.

Dave

[ThePair]

Originally Posted by ShrimpBurrito

I don't think I would do this due to the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. You might think the risk would be low to the size of the flame, but a relative's entire family was sickened (vomiting) one night due to carbon dioxide poisoning from an old household absorption fridge. Bigger fridge and presumably bigger flame, yes, but also a much bigger living space.

It's not worth it.

Dave

I don't use the flame, but you're absolutely right, and now that you mention it, that was the primary reason I didn't pursue that concept in the beginning.

In point of fact, if anyone is looking to bring cooler, inside air into the fridge space, a la what I posted earlier, you may want to consider some kind of method to close off the opening when the fan isn't running, for this exact reason: you don't want an opening into the back of the fridge compartment unless the fan is on giving you negative pressure.

[ThePair]

Originally Posted by ka9nyn

http://www.popupportal.com/index.php...5455#msg815455

One method for baffle, but others are out there.

As I just purchased my NTU (7/18/15) 2001 2720, I'll need to become more familiar with the setup.

I don't recall having nearly that amount of space or clearance from the back of the fridge to the TM wall, especially with the dryer vent in there (which this pic doesn't have, as it clearly is not from a TM). I'm going to look at mine next chance I get, although I do have to admit that I'm pleased with my current performance.

[LoveToCamp]

Back from a week in Utah, no hookups. While daytime temps were only in the 70s (rain two days, overcast two days, good sun two days), the fridge cooled best when I removed the outside vents. Just took them off and set them by the trailer.

I had installed a cooling fan on the fridge cooling fins, to pull air across the fins. Had the covers on part of the day, and observed fridge inside temps. About noon (temps didn't rise much in the afternoon) I removed the vent panels. Temp inside fridge dropped about 4° within a couple hours.

So, after installing the auxiliary fan, I agree with davlin that the fan does little, if any, good. I will be taking the vent panels off in the future.

[davlin]

There will be no more fan testing on absorption refrigerators. Details to follow.

[TrailManorMan]

Nice!! Good luck on the install, I'll bet you will love it!

[ShrimpBurrito]

Originally Posted by davlin

There will be no more fan testing on absorption refrigerators. Details to follow.

Don't tell me -- in that box is a new generation Thetford that improves fridge cooling.

Dave