Refrigerator Fan, Direction of Air Flow

[Shane826]

Originally Posted by Wavery

I never could understand manufacturers trying to force hot air to go down or cold air to go up. Neither one works very well. There's gotta be a better solution.

When there is no other direction for the hot air to go but down, you don’t have much of a choice!

[Kmikesell]

Hot air rises.... the fan "should" blow the hot air away from the coils at the top of the fridge. On another camping sit (Pop up Explorer) there were many mods to make this process as efficient as possible. Basically you make some ductwork to "force" the air up and out and make that air have to run past the coils. I will see if I can find that mod and post a link here if you are interested.

[Wavery]

Originally Posted by Kmikesell

Hot air rises.... the fan "should" blow the hot air away from the coils at the top of the fridge. On another camping sit (Pop up Explorer) there were many mods to make this process as efficient as possible. Basically you make some ductwork to "force" the air up and out and make that air have to run past the coils. I will see if I can find that mod and post a link here if you are interested.

That's a bit more challenging on a Trailmanor because the upper rear wall covers the outside fridge vent.

[FlyboyTR]

Originally Posted by Wavery

That's a bit more challenging on a Trailmanor because the upper rear wall covers the outside fridge vent.

Agree... When the TM is closed for towing the fridge has a hard time with natural convection cooling (cool air in the bottom and hot air out the top). The only choice is the downdraft fan.

I still remain puzzled that my fan was installed upside down and blowing upwards. Must have been done at the factory. Crazy stuff!

At least I can thank the rats for putting me in a position where I noticed the airflow problem while cleaning things up! LOL

[Kmikesell]

Originally Posted by Wavery

That's a bit more challenging on a Trailmanor because the upper rear wall covers the outside fridge vent.

True, but how many of us run the fridge when "popped down" as talked about in a previous post. There really is no need to do so, and if you are taking a multiple day trip, keep the food that requires refrigeration, in a cooler (Preferably a good rotomolded one, lifetime is my cooler of choice). On a simple two or three hour trip, a precooled fridge will stay cool.

[FlyboyTR]

Originally Posted by Kmikesell

True, but how many of us run the fridge when "popped down" as talked about in a previous post. There really is no need to do so, and if you are taking a multiple day trip, keep the food that requires refrigeration, in a cooler (Preferably a good rotomolded one, lifetime is my cooler of choice). On a simple two or three hour trip, a precooled fridge will stay cool.

Valid point. As to how may TM owners run the fridge when rolling...no idea!
However, for me... with our previous TM, we towed it 34k miles in 2.5 years. It ran, closed 6-8 hours everyday while we were rolling down the highway. When covering 300-600 miles a day, I don't want to be unloading and living out of a cooler when I have a fridge that will work 24/7 with the unit open or closed.

Our new to us, Rat Motel, 3023 is getting ready for a 23 day 5k mile trip from Lower Alabama to Montana and back. Fridge will be on 24/7. I pray it does as good as the one in our old TM.

The great thing is...we all have many choices available as to how we roll!

[Kidkraz]

Have ya thought about naming the camper Remy? Ben? Just saying......
Some folks see no issue with running the fridge when closed, but I never saw the need to test fate. I take my hat off to those who have had safe travels and wish them many more safe miles.


https://www.ranker.com/list/list-of-...-entertainment

[FlyboyTR]

Originally Posted by Kidkraz

Have ya thought about naming the camper Remy? Ben? Just saying......
Some folks see no issue with running the fridge when closed, but I never saw the need to test fate. I take my hat off to those who have had safe travels and wish them many more safe miles.

https://www.ranker.com/list/list-of-...-entertainment

LOL. I had really forgot about all the famous rats! Got to love Rizzo! Thanks.

Travis

[Wavery]

We have always run our fridge on propane while traveling (3 different TrailManors). Never had an issue.

Now we have an all electric (110V) fridge and will continue to travel with the fridge on.

[FlyboyTR]

Originally Posted by Wavery

We have always run our fridge on propane while traveling (3 different TrailManors). Never had an issue.

Now we have an all electric (110V) fridge and will continue to travel with the fridge on.

I've owned campers for 27 years and always ran with the fridge on propane. This also includes both Trailmanors. Never had any real problems doing that.