Norcold 1210 Fridge Fans

[mbreener]

While looking into installing external cooling fans onto the upper access panel, I noticed the thermal switch and factory installed fans (not running). I jumpered the switch and they started as expected. Is there any reason to not run these fans all of the time? I ask this after already having cut up the wiring and bypassing the switch lol. But I don't see a negative to have more airflow back there. After all, I was going to install fans anyway.

Thanks!

[howson]

mbreener

One downside I can think of is the power consumption, but that's only an issue if you boondock. The fans draw .4A each, so .8 with both running. Doing the math, that .8 amps per hour, or .8aH. Overnight (12 hours) that's almost 10aH.

A typical lead-acid battery will have 50aH available for use. (Best practice is to recharge at the 50% state of charge for a lead-acid.)

So just to run those two fans overnight (12 hours) it will consume about 20% of the usable battery.

The other possible "gotcha" is if it's cold outside. Absorption refrigerators, if they are too cold the cooling system may not work right. As noted in the Norcold service manual:



Howard

[mbreener]

Thanks for your input, Howard. I didn't really consider power draw seeing as I don't usually boon dock. I will keep an eye on it though when it's cold to make sure it's doing its job.