This summer was the first summer that we had booked a camping trip out in advance and we experienced above 90 degree temperatures. Unfortunately, these hot temperatures had the refrigerator in our Forest River, Shamrock, 23IKSS travel trailer struggling to keep cool (the freezer had no issues keeping cool).
Initially inside the fridge we thought that since the cooling was taking place at the top of the fridge that the cold air didn’t drop all the way to the bottom due to having to much food in it. So we tried a mini fan from Amazon that we used to circulate the air. This unfortunately didn’t help our problem.
After some research we was found that the cause was most likely due to too much heat building up in the refrigerator’s exterior compartment. We purchased some fans from Amazon which came with a thermostat which has seemed to resolve all our problems.
In this article, we’ll not only break down what I did to get these fans installed but we’ll also include a video and step by step photo’s.
How to Cool Your RV Refrigerator on Hot Days (90+ Degrees)
First, we started out by purchasing two sets of fans which could tie into one temperature controller. We bought a double fan to place on top of the fins in which it would take the air from the top of the compartment and blow it down through the fins.
Now that we have air flowing over the fins we also installed a triple fan system to help exhaust the heat out of the top compartment. Both sets of fans turn on and off via the temperature controller which has it’s own thermostat that we placed in the upper compartment.
So lets get to it. First, remove the upper and lower compartment covers. To do this, turn the two screws at the bottom 90’s which will allow you to remove each cover.
The kit we purchased conveniently came with a stencil. Start out by taping the stencil to the inner wall board and marking what you need to cut out.
Now that all your lines are marked out you can begin cutting the void out. Prior to cutting, look behind to ensure you aren’t at risk of cutting any wires behind it.
Once the void has been removed for the 3 fans it is time to install the double fan on the top. This fan should slide in above everything in which the wires can be dropped down the left side of the refrigerator compartment.
Now that the fan is in place, it can be zip tied down which will hold it there.
Now that the upper fan is installed we moved on to the lower, triple fan. In similar fashion, start out by fishing the wire down the left hand side of the refrigerator cabinet.
Dry fit the fan in its final resting position.
Once you are happy with the location and the fit, pre-drill a hole and screw the unit in place. Be sure to not over tighten the screw. Repeat this process for all 4 screw holes.
Now that all the fans are mounted in place we can move on to the final steps. To cool the RV’s refrigerator cabinet we zip tie the temperature sensor up by the fins, which is the hottest spot of the cabinet.
We then connect the two fans, thermostat and power.
I recommend ensuring the fans are set on full blast and then set your lower limit for them to automatically turn on. We have found that 70 degrees will do the trick.
Good luck and I hope that this simple installation of a couple fans in you RV solves all your cooling problems. Enjoy the camping seasons!
Ben has a bachelor’s degree in construction engineering. When not constructing or remodeling X-Ray Rooms, Cardiovascular Labs, and Pharmacies, you can find him at home with wife and two daughters. Outside of family, He loves grilling and barbequing on his Big Green Egg and Blackstone Griddle, as well as working on projects around the house.
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