Fridge quiet PC fan mod thread???
Printed From: The Brick-yard
Category: T3 Section
Forum Name: T3 Westfalia forum
Forum Description: Forum to discuss VW T3 Westfalia models. If it's shit, it goes!
URL: http://www.brick-yard.co.uk/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=40751
Printed Date: 24 Apr 24 at 08:21
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.06 - https://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Fridge quiet PC fan mod thread???
Posted By: irishkeet
Subject: Fridge quiet PC fan mod thread???
Date Posted: 01 Jul 09 at 15:40
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hello i have been searching for ages and I can find reference to the "Fridge quiet PC fan mod" thread but I can't find the thread with instructions on how to do this can anyone post the link please thanks irishkeet  |
Replies:
Posted By: Joker_Club
Date Posted: 01 Jul 09 at 16:05
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Picture on this thread of back of fridge with the fan attached
http://www.brick-yard.co.uk/forum/span-classhighlightfridge-span--what-am-i-doing-wrong_topic38998.html?KW=fridge+fan - http://www.brick-yard.co.uk/forum/span-classhighlightfridge-span--what-am-i-doing-wrong_topic38998.html?KW=fridge+fan
Go-Westy kit showing how to fit it
http://www.gowesty.com/ec_view_details.php?id=3470&search_phrase=fridge%20fan&start - http://www.gowesty.com/ec_view_details.php?id=3470&search_phrase=fridge%20fan&start
If you fit the PC fan (12V) in place of the old fan, just connect the wiring up to suit, making sure it blows through the fins the right way (fan will have direction marked on it) also try and buy some quiet fans, ball bearing types. Ebay is good for surplus fans at sensible prices. 60mm fans are plenty big enough, as they cover the finned area nicely.
I used a length of binding wire through the fan corner mounting holes to fasten it tightly to the finned tubes. I`ve got 3 fans on mine, 2 working off the original wiring controlled by the thermo switch, and one on a manual switch so I can have it switch it to running all the time while driving, to assist in air flow and hopefully make the cooling more efficient on 12V. ------------- Sunny Lancs |
Posted By: westyguesty
Date Posted: 01 Jul 09 at 17:13
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Got my fans from Maplin, not much and really quiet. Two 80mm fans on the outside, cable tied and wired to the thermo switch, but also with a manual switch on both.
Also fitted two smaller ones (40mm) I think inside the fridge just above the metal element to flow the air round inside the fridge. Got this on a manual switch inside the cupboard.
Really quiet and keeps the fridge really cool.
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Posted By: irishkeet
Date Posted: 01 Jul 09 at 17:35
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many thanks for the help i have the fridge out for a service at the mo so i thought I might upgrade the fan joker_club or westyguesty do you have any photos of your set up wired to the thermo switch? also how did you add a switch? sorry but im a bit unsure about the wiring cheers irishkeet |
Posted By: Joker_Club
Date Posted: 01 Jul 09 at 21:12
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There are two existing wires from the thermo switch end down to the original fan, cut the wires off at the old fan end, and wire up to your new fan, job done. Make sure it runs the right way.
For the extra fan with manual switch I ran a 12V feed and earth wire from my LB via the auxiliary fuse-box I installed (see threads about it the other week) then just break one of the wires via a switch, connect to your new fans (s) and the jobs done. I shoulda foto`d the thing before chucking it back in, but didn`t !! ------------- Sunny Lancs |
Posted By: irishkeet
Date Posted: 02 Jul 09 at 09:41
thanks J_C ill have a go on the weekend 
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Posted By: Stefvan
Date Posted: 02 Jul 09 at 10:15
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I got an aluminium fan from Ebay struggled to find a 120mm one like Gowestys but the aluminium makes mounting very easy as you just drill through the edge of the fan and use the original self tappers
Ebay item 170328794345
Stefvan
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Posted By: irishkeet
Date Posted: 02 Jul 09 at 13:40
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Hi J_C i think I will do the same and use a length of binding wire through the fan corner mounting holes to fasten it tightly to the finned tubes, I already have 2 80mm quiet fans may well be an obvious Q but do I want the cool air from the fan blowing over the fins? thanks irishkeet
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Joker_Club wrote:Posted By: Joker_Club
Date Posted: 03 Jul 09 at 21:28
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That`s the way I`ve done mine, blowing through the fins from the bottom, so the air circulates upwards (hopefully it`s warm) and out the grill at the top rear of the kitchen block. ------------- Sunny Lancs |
Posted By: westyguesty
Date Posted: 08 Jul 09 at 19:06
Just found a picture of my fridge fans. Two read wires going to the fans, one for the switch and one for the thermo switch. The small wires you can see going inside the fridge are for the internal fans, just operating on and external switch.
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Posted By: Joker_Club
Date Posted: 08 Jul 09 at 23:24
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What`s the milk carton do? ------------- Sunny Lancs |
Posted By: westyguesty
Date Posted: 09 Jul 09 at 09:35
Makes space to keep the beer cool 
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Posted By: T3ADICT
Date Posted: 09 Jul 09 at 19:55
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is this mod worth doing to a fridge without a fan orignaly fitted?
its an electrolux fridge. ------------- WHY T3's.... because they are just so adictive, and having one just aint enough |
Posted By: Joker_Club
Date Posted: 09 Jul 09 at 20:27
Yes, definitely, the more air you move over the cooling fins the better the unit will work, a real advantage when running on 12V ------------- Sunny Lancs |
Posted By: westyguesty
Date Posted: 09 Jul 09 at 20:29
| Mine works well with the mod, but don't know how much better. When the original fan first came on it was really noisy, so got replaced. |
Posted By: 82dABN
Date Posted: 19 Aug 09 at 10:49
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Where can I get a new thermo switch? Prefer one that switches on at 124 degrees F and off at 104 degrees F like described. 95 degree F (approximate) little button switch for the evaporator fins I got on Ebay runns constantly most of the time even when on pilot gas. Hot here in southern California. also when cooler, there apparently is no difference between the on and off temps so it is constantly cycling on and off every few seconds. ------------- Elmo's 81 Vanagon |
Posted By: 82dABN
Date Posted: 20 Aug 09 at 07:10
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Just had a brilliant idea - one of those midnight streaks of ... Now the thermo switch turns the fan on at 95F and off at 90F - A 5F temp spread. Not as good as the 20F spread between the proper on at 124 degrees F and off at 104 degrees. Will remove the Thermo switch and put a thin bit of gasket material/padding between the switch and the fin to provide a little 'insulation'. That way the temp will have to go higher to trip the switch and the insulation should allow the 5F to become larger.. This should do until I get a proper switch at a decent price. ------------- Elmo's 81 Vanagon |
Posted By: Joker_Club
Date Posted: 24 Aug 09 at 23:26
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by http://forum.club8090.co.uk/memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=1779 - irish.david
Hi, This isn't really an answer to the original question but given the title of the thread i thought it would fit in. I've recently pulled my Westy's Electrolux RM184 out with the aim of fixing it up a bit. Assuming the all the mechanics are basically ok and the fridge is level I read on an american site that the main reason for poor performance is the lack of ventilation around the heat transfer surfaces like the condensor on the back and the heat exchanger that actually does the cooling inside the fridge. When i pulled my fridge out the fan mounted on the back under the condensors was totally seized, but even if it hadn't been it was getting replaced. The motor was an old 1970's DC brushed motor and DC motors have come on a lot in 30 years. I replaced it with 2 x 80mm 12V brushless PC cooling fans. Both have a much higher cfm (airflow) than the original as well as drawing significantly less current and being much quieter. I just wired them in parallel with the original thermostat, which still worked. A pic of this is shown below.  Next i drilled a hole in the back of the fridge just above the heat exchanger and ran a couple of wires through. I glued 2 x 50mm 12v brushless PC fans to the top of the right side of the heat exchanger and connected them in parallel with the cables going through the hole. I wired the fans to a switch i mounted on the front of the fridge, and finally filled the hole with a silicone sealant.    ------------- Sunny Lancs |
Posted By: 82dABN
Date Posted: 25 Aug 09 at 00:40
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> .. wired the fans to a switch i mounted on the front of the fridge.. < Think I will do the same, except with a three way switch: both (inside and outside refer fans) ON - OFF - outside-fan ON. That way I can manually control the OS Fan if necessary. Still looking for a source for that little blue (on your electrolux) 'thermo switch' for less than $80US. Will start contacting refridgeration shops, next. Phil ------------- Elmo's 81 Vanagon |
Posted By: Breiz
Date Posted: 26 Aug 09 at 13:51
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Re the rather expensive replacement for the thermo switch http://uk.rs-online.com/web/search/searchBrowseAction.html?method=getProduct&R=0331562A will take you to RS spares which sell thermo switches wholesale. Even 25 will not cost eighty bucks and you can sell the rest on ebay for a fiver each. Post if you do I'll buy a couple. I fitted them to a number of devices around my boat, the Ford D engine wasn't fitted with a built in lost water alarm so I strapped one of these around the exhaust pipe just behind the water injector. Handy too for electric motors and indeed anywhere excess heat would signal imminent disaster. |
Posted By: jameshere
Date Posted: 20 Sep 09 at 02:45
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Just been reading the interesting correspondence about 'fridge fans. Should have known that I was not alone in replacing the defunct original with inexpensive & quiet "square" ones as used in electronic equipment.
But I would suggest that all of those fans pictured are mounted in the wrong place! Sure, they are a big improvement, but basically they are stirring the hot air around, not getting rid of it. I put a couple side by side behind the top vent grille of my first Florida so that they sucked hot air out of the 'fridge compartment and dump it to the outside, and hence cool air is drawn in and over the cooling fins. Those 2 fans kept the interior cool and the 'fridge workingproperly even in the heat of Morocco, and only needed to run maybe 1 minute in 5.
Another reason to do it this way, is that the'fridge installation on the Westfalias that I have had are really not at all good insomuch as they vent hot air into the van interior!! In fact, the Vanagon has NO outside venting, and LT (Florida) installations are compromised by the position of the sliding door track, which prevents the upper grille from being installed where it should be - at the highest point. So most of the hot air goes through the perforated panel behind the sink straight into the interior! I don't doubt that neither installation would comply with some EU legislation these days - the 'fridge compartment should be sealed off from the interior.
Another thing, the little "button "type temperature switches. I just picked up a couple at a local electronics store here (Vancouver, Canada) for $3 each - they are apparently often used in appliances like coffee makers. Settings of course vary - I got contacts (N/O) close at 45deg. and 55 deg.C. Have not had a chance to test them yet to see which is the most suitable setting.
James
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Posted By: Joker_Club
Date Posted: 20 Sep 09 at 19:06
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Quite right James, problem with a Westy is that there are NO vents to the outside, so cool air cannot be drawn in from the bottom and circulate through the top to the outside. Best compromise is to push the air up to the top grill at the back of the kitchen block, hopefully drawing slightly cooler air in from the base ventialtion grill.
The computer fans I have installed on mine definitely make the fridge work a LOT better when on 12V, not a lot better on 240V as it was already pretty good. I have 2 fans that come on when the 12V switch is selected, so they run constantly when I`m driving and the fridge i working from battery. I have another fan on a manual switch so I can switch it on when parked up and running on either hook-up or gas, and I also have another fan which is wired through the thermo switch (replacing the original 3-bladed fan) so it comes on automatically if the temp gets too high behind the fridge. All four are quiet fans from a PC supplier. ------------- Sunny Lancs |
Posted By: barbelbob
Date Posted: 12 Dec 14 at 10:53
Hi all, I'm adding the 2 fans to the inside of the fridge, but have come to a halt due to confusion of where to run the live feed from. Any ideas? cheers Rob ------------- Westy Atlantic 1.6td 1990 |
Posted By: Pete Westy
Date Posted: 15 Dec 14 at 09:47
Where the cables come in at the back into a connector block, the black wire (confusingly) is the positive. It joins to a red in the third terminal block connector from the back. This red then goes to the 12v/240/gas switch. I connected mine there. ------------- Pete I've spent so much time under the Atlantic I'm changing my name to Titanic. |
Posted By: barbelbob
Date Posted: 15 Dec 14 at 13:09
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Thanks Pete, much appreciated. ------------- Westy Atlantic 1.6td 1990 |
Posted By: danmetallic
Date Posted: 05 Jan 15 at 19:12
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There's some great advice here. I've just reinstalled my fridge having fitted a new ignitor and two new fans. This thread was v useful, thanks! A quick question though. When is the thermo switch supposed to operate the fan? Gas, 12v or 240v or all 3. And also has anyone got the temp values or a link to the thermo switch needed? ------------- http://VolkswagenT3.com |
Posted By: Red Westie
Date Posted: 25 Jan 15 at 09:11
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Having carried out this mod myself there are a couple of points I would like to add. Most people on here are using TWO 80mm fans which I admit do give an even spread of air movement over the lower heat exchange. However, there is actually enough depth to fit just one 120mm fan giving a similar CFM figure but with far less noise. Also: be careful not to use cheap sleaved bearing fans, these will seize within a couple of years. You need quality ball bearing fans which have a much longer lifespan and are not prone to seizing. I also fitted a simple rocker switch to overide the thermal switch...this means that I can choose to have the fan on permanently for best cooling..great in hot locations. Martin ------------- shelly |
Posted By: jp1
Date Posted: 05 Feb 15 at 18:32
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For danmetallic: When is the thermo switch supposed to operate the fan? Gas, 12v or 240v or all 3. And also has anyone got the temp values or a link to the thermo switch needed? I had to replace the switch as the fan started coming on almost all the time. It operates whichever heat source is in use - i.e. for all 3. The temperature is 60C. Switches are available from many electronic component suppliers - use Google. I got mine from Rapid; had to buy two, so now have a spare to use next time it fails (probably in 25 years). jp ------------- jp 1986 Westfalia Joker DJ 2.1 5-speed mine from new |
Posted By: Holydiver
Date Posted: 18 May 15 at 22:27
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Dam good thread this, although my fridge works well on gas and hook up (will ice up) its not so good on 12v LB, however it drives me mad as the fan is very noise and runs for hours when hot. So going to fit a couple of new fans if only for a quiet life. Just wondering if its worth fitting a fan up high back of dildo to pull air up and out via a switch???? Will update once fitted ------------- |
Posted By: Holydiver
Date Posted: 07 Jul 15 at 13:37
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two new fans fitted at the weekend and work really well, can even feel the air bring sucked in at the vent :-) also wired via an override switch. Old http://s191.photobucket.com/user/sbbfuk/media/IMG_6611_zpschbpisro.jpg.html" rel="nofollow">  New http://s191.photobucket.com/user/sbbfuk/media/IMG_6613_zpsnf9i5udl.jpg.html" rel="nofollow">  ------------- |
Posted By: Holydiver
Date Posted: 12 Aug 15 at 20:47
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Just got back from France where some days it was 37° in the van, fridge worked like a dream on gas when out for the day, although fans did run until the early hours when it cooled down, would run for about 10 mins then off for 10 before cutting in again ------------- |
Posted By: craigy345
Date Posted: 07 Aug 16 at 11:26
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Hi Holydiver, Im going to take my fridge out and looking to do the fridge mod. Yours looks really neat. Where did you get your fans from? and I also want to do the override switch so that I can have the option of fan permanently on or just working via the original thermo switch. Can you please explain how you did the override switch wiring? Thanks ------------- VW T3 1987 Westfalia Club Joker |
Posted By: Holydiver
Date Posted: 24 Aug 16 at 14:07
Sorry for the delay but been away, fans were from Amazon, will see if I can did the info out over the weekend. Cheers ------------- |
Posted By: craigy345
Date Posted: 24 Aug 16 at 22:15
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Cheers that's great. Currently got the fridge out upside down!! But not progressed further as I'm away until the weekend. Will wait for your reply. Thanks very much for taking the trouble. 👍🏻 ------------- VW T3 1987 Westfalia Club Joker |
Posted By: Holydiver
Date Posted: 30 Aug 16 at 13:49
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Sorry I couldn't find which PC fans I used, I know they were from amazon, I just searched PC fan, I got the ones fitted with a roller bearing and not the cheapest. believe they're a 100mm ones.ModI fitted a single pole switch one side connects to the live feed going to the thermoset (fan stat) and the other to the fans.Works well on Gas and Ele now. http://s191.photobucket.com/user/sbbfuk/media/IMG_2136_zpss7uww2eb.jpg.html" rel="nofollow">  ------------- |
Posted By: craigy345
Date Posted: 31 Aug 16 at 00:13
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Cheer's thanks for replying. I Will have a measure up and buy some fans from amazon also. My fridge has never had ice forming inside!!! Did yours prior to the fan mod and how long does it take to cool down and ice form? Thanks for all your help, much appreciated. ------------- VW T3 1987 Westfalia Club Joker |
Posted By: Holydiver
Date Posted: 31 Aug 16 at 13:03
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It's always iced up on Gas or Ele ------------- |
Posted By: craigy345
Date Posted: 22 Sep 16 at 23:53
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Ok Fridge fan mod done on my RM184 EGI (2x 80mm 12v PC fans via amazon) Wired to come on via the original thermo switch or an illuminated on/off switch fitted to the front panel. Old and New Fans   In addition I wanted to see how efficient the fridge is in the various power sources so have added an internal 12v thermometer with Led display also added to the front panel and operated via the same illuminated switch.  Both mods seem to all be working as they should. But I have a problem and need some help PLEASE! I have plugged the fridge into the 240v (whilst still out of the van) and the 240v element is not heating up?  I tested the element by directly applying 240v and the element heats up as it should so know its not a faulty element. I think I have traced the possible fault to the thermostat? I have confirmed I am getting 240v to the thermostat dial (black 240v +) but am not getting any 240v out of thermostat, black short wire that connects to the AC fridge on/off panel switch? This is regardless of what position the thermostat dial is in or the AC power button is on/off?  Shown in the photo above is the thermostat out to the AC on/off fridge panel switch Question: should this be live 240v which seems to make sense? if this is faulty how easy is this to source and then fit? Help very much appreciated and hope my fan/thermometer mod helps someone in return. ------------- VW T3 1987 Westfalia Club Joker |
Posted By: myheadsashed
Date Posted: 13 Oct 16 at 20:46
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I've been looking at fans to carryout the mod to the fridge. I've one of these... http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Evercool-Aluminium-PC-Case-fan-120-x-120-x-25mm-12cm-AL12025M12-/271214794892?hash=item3f25a9588c:g:PC8AAOxyHE5Rpm1~" rel="nofollow - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Evercool-Aluminium-PC-Case-fan-120-x-120-x-25mm-12cm-AL12025M12-/271214794892?hash=item3f25a9588c:g:PC8AAOxyHE5Rpm1~ It looks to be the same fan as the GoWesty use. UK supplied for a tenner delivered. We'll see what it's like when it arrives.
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Posted By: craigy345
Date Posted: 13 Oct 16 at 23:29
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I think the Gowesty one only has 2 wires i.e red/black (+ & -) The one in the link has 3 wires. Still should be fine, looks a nice fan, quiet, low power consumstion and good air flow. Good Luck  ------------- VW T3 1987 Westfalia Club Joker |
Posted By: myheadsashed
Date Posted: 15 Oct 16 at 09:11
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http://www.gowesty.com/product-details.php?v=&id=3470 craigy345 If you look at the GoWesty images closely they've trimmed the blue cable off  It's arrived and it's looks identical apart from the blue cable and connector need trimming off.
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Posted By: craigy345
Date Posted: 15 Oct 16 at 10:50
Yep, Stand corrected, This is the GoWesty fan you can see the chopped blue wire. Should make fitting nice and easy, No need to make or adapt the current bracket. Good Luck, post some pics of install if possible.
------------- VW T3 1987 Westfalia Club Joker |
Posted By: Serge
Date Posted: 15 Oct 16 at 13:27
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Very interesting thread, I currently have my fridge out to do some work on the wheel arch and the fan is solid and rusted up internally. I intend to do the computer fan mod before refitting, I get that the fan sits at the bottom of the fridge but which direction should it send the air, does it push air up or pull air down over the fins? TIA  ------------- 1990 LT28 Westfalia Florida 2.4TD + Reliant Scimitar GTC + Mk 4 Mondeo + Triumph Trident Sprint 900 + Honda 550/4 http://www.sergeantsmess.co.uk/" rel="nofollow - http://www.sergeantsmess.co.uk/ |
Posted By: craigy345
Date Posted: 15 Oct 16 at 15:31
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The fan(s) sits at the bottom and push air UP over the fins to cool the rear pipe work. Need to make sure the fan is facing the correct way when fitting. Quite obvious when you come to do it. Good Luck ------------- VW T3 1987 Westfalia Club Joker |
Posted By: alpicc
Date Posted: 27 Dec 16 at 09:24
Hello guys! Im about to do this job on a 1990 Florida! any suggestions before I do anything? Could you recommend 2x vents I can order from eBay?Something good that will work for years!?Also wouldn't it be better to have also a fan which draws fresher air to the unit? Cheers Alex |
Posted By: lowrider
Date Posted: 19 Mar 17 at 10:04
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Hi After having my fridge out doing the elements, I thought bugger it what if the fan doesn't work ! After reading above found a 120mm Pc fan just like the Gowesty one at £10 delivered on eBay happy with that , cut the blue wire off as it's not needed & wired it in. Even used one of the screws from the original bracket, just got to get it back in now as it's been out for 3 weeks now
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Posted By: craigy345
Date Posted: 19 Mar 17 at 10:47
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Well done Lowrider Let us know how you get on? Had your elements gone? 12v/240v? ------------- VW T3 1987 Westfalia Club Joker |
Posted By: lowrider
Date Posted: 26 Apr 17 at 21:25
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Fridge all back in & went away over Easter ! We used hook up on site to run the fridge & hey presto we had ice on the inside never had that before, so I guess the elements were knackered . Thanks for all the tips Guy
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