Our 12v compressor fridge, which seems to change its running pattern between mild and hot conditions maybe due to poor venting of the condenser. The compressor unit looks very similar to a picture of one I saw mounted in a chest portable type, i.e. designed for horizontal operation.
I have checked the install against the instructions, and yes it has been installed as per, but I think the instructions are for a 3 way unit.
Looking down at the condenser and fan, the fan is pulling air from a wall, i.e. it is facing and is about 40mm from a wall. There are three 25mm holes each side of the condenser/fan through the mounting plate (whish is a steel plate shelf also mounting the compressor), and apart from them there is very little space for the movement of air. This means that the fan is just recirculating its own hot air.
What to do ? , but it does explain why the fridge runs for a long time when the weather heats up.
What it really amounts to is that the vents for this fridge should be working in the horizontal, not vertical as with a 3 way, pretty poor of the manufacturer to allow that to happen.
Posting a picture would almost be impossible, to get into the area with out removing the fridge, has meant cutting away the mesh of the top vent. It is cramped and dark. I will be working up there today and will explore the idea.
I take it you have incorporated all the common sense things that the manufactures have zero technical ability to install (manufacturers please read).
I have made my fridge about 30% more efficient with mind numbingly simple changes, for example adding a baffle to stop air recirculating around condenser. About $0.02 worth!
Basic & very simple things to fix third rate designs:
Increase ventilation holes.
Improve path of air flow path for cooling.
Install baffle to stop air recirculating.
New energy efficient fan.
Fan with higher pressure & also efficiency.
Heavier gauge cable from fridge's socket to fridge's own circuit board.
Heavier cable from fridge socket to battery.
Add additional fridge insulation.
Intake cooling air from cooler side if possible.
Air-cell insulation inside wall of van, & around fridge, & on fridge door.
Last but not least, an official fridge door opener!
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