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 Topic: 44 deg C and fridge wont cool
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29/8/2005 at 2:30pm
Location: Zoetermeer Holland
Outfit: Chateau 430 Nice
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Yes, they normally state that they cool 20 degrees below ambient. But some still do better than that. The problem is well known.
In general lack of performance is caused by leack of air circulation behind the fridge. The circulation is needed for the element to get rid of the heat.
a few possibilities:
1. The simplest cause ofen is that people turn the fridge too high. Turn the dial a bit lower , not more than position 3, maybe only 2. Turning it higher will be counterproductive. The heating element becomes too hot, not getting rid of its heat. The fluid will start boiling, causing too much vapour, leading to a vapour-lock (amonia vapour in the circuit), and the fridge will even do less. So, when it is very warm, turn down a bit, not up.
If still too warm, improve air circulation by one or more of the next possibilities.
2. The mosquito mesh behind the outside grids are dirty. Cleaning the mesh improves performance. Removing the mesh improves performance too.
Anyway opening these grids also is an improvement to performance.
3. Often fridges are not well mounted. The opening to the inner of the caravan often is not well sealed. The 'way' to the upper grid often continues inside upwards after the upper grid. Normally on the topside there should be a guiding plate, leading outwards. Check that and if not mounted, or ill mounted, improve that. This plate often at the same time is part of the 'seal' against from inward air currents/leakage. It helps guiding the air outward and even may give a certain venturi-effect, if well mounted.
4. If circulation still is not sufficient, often a little (computer)fan is mounted. Either pointing towards the upper cooling ribs, or, much simpler and normally just as effective, hung in rubber bands (against noise) behind the upper grid, blowing air outwards, thus pulling the air outwards throught he proper routing. This normally is a vast improvement.
Post last edited on 29/08/2005 14:34:20
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WL
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30/8/2005 at 10:23am
Location: Zoetermeer Holland
Outfit: Chateau 430 Nice
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> any more clues. ps van only 2 years old <
As i am not a technician so it's hard for me to find more clues.
I do know that some people don't like fridge-vents inside the awning. As ventilation is reduced in the awning and the temperature in an awning usualy is higher than outside, that also has a certain negative effect, at least when the awning is 'closed'. This probably is diferent when the awning is in use as canopy.
Also proper levelling of the van influences the performance of the fridge. Tilting just a few degrees apparently has a negative influence on performance. I don;t remeber anymore which one most: sideways or forward/backwards, I think the latter, as this disturbs the air current most. Especially if no proper guidance panel has been applied behind the fridge.
Another factor often is the electricity. In countries like Spain and France, especially on larger campsites, the electricity network of campsites often is insufficient. To many users on the same network, actually reducing the voltage per person. Some caravanners of the Dutch 'hardcore' (i mean active in the Dutch caravan club and on the Dutch caravan sites) have measured several times. Sometimes the voltage on campsites would not be more than 180V !! In these cases the fridge will not perform properly when on electricity. Therefore some people switch to gas in these circumstances, which than performs better.
But as you stated that you also tried gas this should not be the cause. (By the way, my fridge needs the middle gas-position 2 of gas to work properly, gas-position 1 is too low: soft ice cubes)
This would imply that either your fridge is at its maximum capacity when cooling 20 degrees below ambient, although still strange that it has performed better before, or that there is something in the system, e.g. a tendency to vapour lock. This vapour lock may have risen when the fridge stiil was on a too high position in Spain (before turning it lower) and maybe got stuck on a difficult spot. In that case the old trick of putting the fridge upside down for a while to unlock the vapour lock. Not normal for a fairly new fridge, but who knows.
By the way, does your fan really blow outwards at the upper ventgrid? If positioned wrong it won't work. Maybe it got loose when underway and now blows the wrong way?
How does it perform now under more or less normal temperatures?
I also heard of some people who added a grid in the bottom of the caravan, which was effective. Cooler air plus extra ventilation.
Otherwise you can only ask the manufacturer. Problem is that if the fridge does cool 20 degrees, it officially fulfils the specs.
Post last edited on 30/08/2005 10:29:44
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WL
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