External fridge dust flaps - open or closed with a/c on?
gu42 said
09:00 AM Jun 2, 2022
I've got dust flaps / doors for the external fridge vents on my van
When im running the a/c should I leave the flaps shut so its circulating the cooler air? Or always open them when I pull up?
Whenarewethere said
09:13 AM Jun 2, 2022
If it is gas vent the fridge outside & seal off the fridge to the inside.
If it is a compressor fridge vent it inside. They use so little energy it no worth worrying about the difference in heat less the cold being inside.
I'm not sure if that actually answers the question.
gu42 said
12:58 PM Jun 2, 2022
Its a compressor fridge, im trying to work out why it isnt cooling very well anymore. Everything in the freezee is still frozen, but the fridge is only holding abut 10 degrees. The element in the back of the fridge is frozen, do I need to defrost this?
Whenarewethere said
01:21 PM Jun 2, 2022
Any fridge & or freezer with an evaporator coil you can see inside needs defrosting weekly. Even our esky needs defrosting every week or so. Frosted ice is a great insulator.
If you haven't cleaned the dust off the back of the fridge for awhile you will be shocked how much dust builds up on the condenser. Two issues here, one your fridge will have more trouble getting as cold, especially in high ambient temperatures. Two, a bigger drain on your batteries.
After a 3 month trip we pull the fridge apart & blow all the dust out with an air compressor (photo after cleaning).
Bobdown said
10:22 AM Jun 3, 2022
gu42 wrote:
Its a compressor fridge, im trying to work out why it isnt cooling very well anymore. Everything in the freezee is still frozen, but the fridge is only holding abut 10 degrees. The element in the back of the fridge is frozen, do I need to defrost this?
Auto defrost not working or cooling gas blocked or leaking.........Fridge mechanic needed.
Cheers Bob
iana said
11:24 AM Jun 3, 2022
What about posting a few pictures, the frozen element, the flaps etc.
Whenarewethere said
01:19 PM Jun 3, 2022
Our second fridge at home which we only use as a fridge with nice big insulator. Our car fridge I would never let this happen.
Frozen externals will stop a fridge from working efficiently. Why not just turn the fridge off, let it completely de-ice the element and defrost inside, turn it back on and see if this has helped the cooling of the fridge. If that doesn't work it's time for a fridge tech to have a look.
If it is gas vent the fridge outside & seal off the fridge to the inside.
If it is a compressor fridge vent it inside. They use so little energy it no worth worrying about the difference in heat less the cold being inside.
I'm not sure if that actually answers the question.
Any fridge & or freezer with an evaporator coil you can see inside needs defrosting weekly. Even our esky needs defrosting every week or so. Frosted ice is a great insulator.
If you haven't cleaned the dust off the back of the fridge for awhile you will be shocked how much dust builds up on the condenser. Two issues here, one your fridge will have more trouble getting as cold, especially in high ambient temperatures. Two, a bigger drain on your batteries.
After a 3 month trip we pull the fridge apart & blow all the dust out with an air compressor (photo after cleaning).
Auto defrost not working or cooling gas blocked or leaking.........Fridge mechanic needed.
Cheers Bob
Our second fridge at home which we only use as a fridge with nice big insulator. Our car fridge I would never let this happen.