Westy/Electrolux fridge fan mod

[Red Westie]

We had a few warm days in Wales last bank holiday...the thermo coupling tripped on the fridge switching the fan on...what a piggin racket! tattattattattattat....
I've seen the two 80mm fan mod on an earlier thread but drawing on my PC building experiences I already knew this wouldn't be the quietest or most effective way of shifting a good volume of air past the fridges heat exchange fins. So I opted for one 120mm fan with approximately the same CFM as the two 80mm units but using less power and creating much less noise.
Those of you who have used the 80mm fan method will know that they fit pretty flush (don't stick out any further than the exchange pipes) and probably didn't realise that although a bigger fan does overhang the rear that there is still loads of space (approx 4-5cm clearance from the insulation and body panel) even with the larger 120mm fan fitted.
I've kept mine standard working through the thermo switch and when it comes on now it's whisper quiet but at the same time you can feel a good flow of warm air coming out the vents....win win in my book.

SEE SOME PICTURES I TOOK FURTHER DOWN IN THIS THREAD

Martin

[lhd]

Well done Martin.
Mine has only switched on three times.... once at BVF a couple of years back, once in France and the other was when I left it on gas whilst on 240v at the same time.
Tis bloody noisy when it does switch on though.
I might do mine next time I get the fridge out.
Rob.

[Red Westie]

Yeah, you are right....it doesn't come on very often and usually only in the summer. Mine seems to turn on when the N/S (fridge side) is parked in the sun. It seemed to be on quite a lot last year in France (it was very warm 28C plus) the standard fan on mine was very noisey, possibly dry bearings I'm not too sure but this mod should improve heat exchange at the same time as greatly reducing the noise.
Martin

[ninja.turtle007]

Would there be any advantage in running an additional wire so that it can also be switched manually. Would this help drop the temp if you put in a few room temp beers and wanted to chill them ASAP?

[Red Westie]

Yes indeed...having a manual overide will improve airflow over the heat exchanges when you want it, effectively giving your fridge a 'TURBO BOOST' button for extra chill.
I didn't bother but I can see it might be useful.
Martin

[ninja.turtle007]

Cheers I'll give it ago.

Tom

[lhd]

Blimey it came on loads at Camperjam, not only that I think the bearings have gone as every now and then there was a horrible squeel. Going to have to do it before France now as the squeeling sound is awful.
Martin how exactly did you secure the new fan to the back od the fridge?
I take it the fans are pretty universal and easy to get from Maplins?
Cheers Rob.

[Red Westie]

My original sounded just the same....
Just takes some fabricating to securely mount under the first heat exchange. (use black and red wires only)



http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showprodu ... 7&subcat=4" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Martin

[lhd]

Ordered.
Martin how exactly did you secure the new fan to the back of the fridge?
Rob.

[Oldiebut goodie]

I mounted my fan over the outlet vent with pu sealant so that it exhausts the air quicker - seems to work well.

[Red Westie]

We had a few warm days in Wales last bank holiday...the thermo coupling tripped several times bringing on the fridge for much of the time during the day...what a piggin racket! tattattattattattat....
I've seen the two 80mm fan mod on an earlier thread but drawing on my PC building experiences I already knew this wouldn't be the quietest or most effective way of shifting a good volume of air past the fridges heat exchange fins. So I opted for one 120mm fan with approximately the same CFM as the two 80mm units but using less power and creating much less noise.
Those of you who have used the 80mm fan method will know that they fit pretty flush (don't stick out any further than the exchange pipes) and probably didn't realise that although a bigger fan does overhang the rear that there is still loads of space (approx 4-5cm clearance from the insulation and body panel) enen with a larger 120mm fan fitted.
I've kept mine standard working through the thermo switch and when it comes in now it is whisper quiet but at the same time you can feel a good flow of warm air coming out the vents....win win in my book.

Left to right:
80mm/original 4 blade/120mm 0.24 amp fan (about 3 watts?)



The large 120mm fan and bracket fabricated from a desktop computer power supply, then screw from the rear (silicon sealed) and cable tied from the front. NOTE* a small piece of inner tube used for packing the fan centre to minimise vibration.





Wired through the existing thermo switch so it comes on only when warm, although the wiring could be further modified with an additional switch for 'COOL BOOST!' control override.


Martin

[Plasticman]

Liking that, the fan and mechanics I can do but how do I go about a method of switching on/off, its rm122 gas 12v only
mike

[T'Onion]

Martin , is that blowing or sucking over the 'fins' ?

[ninja.turtle007]

Martin , is that blowing or sucking over the 'fins' ?

it blows over the fins. Drawing cooler air from lower front fridge vent and pushing the already rising hot air out of the top vent.

[T'Onion]

Ta , might do it to mine next week