Replacement refrigerator fan?

**ShrimpBurrito** · 09-30-2023, 02:51 PM

Has anyone found a direct replacement for the fridge fan? I haven't taken it out yet, but I think it's just a PC fan. However, all the PC fans I've ever seen have mounting flanges on both sides. That won't work because then the round hose won't slip over the fan shroud.

I could just get a 4 inch fan (92mm might be the closest, about 3.6"), and then Dremel off the flange on one side, but if there's an off-the-shelf solution, I'd rather do that.

Most PC fans are also 4-wire, so I also just need to figure out which 2 are for power.

Thanks!
Dave

**commodor47** · 09-30-2023, 05:55 PM

Dave,

I replaced my refrigerator fan back in 2015. It was available through Amazon. Unfortunately that particular item now goes to a dead end. I did find something that should work. My replacement is square and measures 92mm. This particular fan has 3 wires but I think all you might need is the black and red wires. You will know which to use when you remove the existing fan.

https://www.amazon.com/Genuine-Dell-...ts_id=11036281

Dick

**ShrimpBurrito** · 09-30-2023, 06:21 PM

Thanks, Dick, much appreciated. I guess that means there is a square hole in the foam floor, and the hose then fits over some other auxiliary shroud, which in my case looks like a white piece of flexible plastic, which looks like it might be warped or bent. I might 3D print a new one, which will be rigid.

This project will have to wait a few weeks.....

Dave

**Bill** · 09-30-2023, 06:37 PM

If you do a web search on something like

"3-inch computer fan square to round adapter"

you'll get a ton of hits. One of them might be helpful.

Bill

**ShrimpBurrito** · 09-30-2023, 07:26 PM

Thanks, Bill, I like it! That's kinda what I was thinking of printing, too.

Dave

Shane826 · 10-01-2023, 08:35 AM

I’m pretty sure the flange that screws to the floor is just a standard issue dryer vent wall plate from Home Depot or Lowes or Amazon.

**commodor47** · 10-01-2023, 03:00 PM

Dave,

I found the pics from my refrigerator fan replacement. My TM has a square hole cut into the Styrofoam to accommodate the PC fan.
Dick

**ShrimpBurrito** · 10-01-2023, 06:19 PM

Thanks, Dick and Shane. I decided to dive in last night to at least see what I was working with, and of course saw exactly what you saw, Dick. It's a 120mm fan. I'm thinking of using one of those "fan to dryer vent" adapter things and either mounting the assembly to the floor, which will raise the fan several inches, or keep the fan where it is but then lower where the hose mounts into the floor cavity.

I just don't see it being effective in its current setup. First of all, the flange was not sealed to the floor, so much of the air was likely being pulled in from the between the flange and the floor, not the top of the fridge. Doing what I'm suggesting may not make it any better, but it seems worth a shot.

I may also put a stronger fan in there.....the OEM one only pulled a few hundred milliamps, but there are some the same size that pull a few amps, moving quite a bit more air (like https://www.amazon.com/HIGHFINE-4000...dp/B01LLYQ2VE/).

Dave

larsdennert · 10-10-2023, 02:46 PM

Doesn't the fan suck out? Seems smarter than blowing combustion air into all the nooks and crannys of the trailer. Better to draw fresh air from all around and vacuum up the combustion air. That's how all residential fans work and for very good reason.

Some fans have a third signal wire to let the computer know the rpm or if it is jammed. Yellow I think and not need in this case.

**stan&denise** · 10-10-2023, 03:41 PM

I replaced the fan this year. I used a 4 3/4" muffin fan.
Pano-mounts Model No.CF12025IP 2PACK
DC 12v 0.6A 3000RPM.
I brought the 2 pack to have a spare for the bathroom fan.
I brought this at Amazon.