Best RV Refrigerator Fans to Keep Your Food Cold

RV refrigerators are fabulous! They keep perishable foods fresh and safe and beverages cold. But what happens when your produce starts to freeze and your drinks get warm? Unless you delight in the traveling lettuce popsicle, you might consider an RV refrigerator fan. 

For directions on the path to cold beverages and naturally crisp salads, read on!

What Is an RV Refrigerator Fan? 

RV fridges are usually absorption refrigerators that heat an ammonia solution that removes heat from the refrigerator box. They don’t perform well in extreme heat or if you open the fridge door too frequently. 

The refrigerator coil is against the exterior wall of your RV, so when temperatures outside that wall rise, your refrigerator struggles to maintain an optimal temperature. Adding a fan to your RV refrigerator can distribute cool air inside the box and create an even temperature throughout the fridge.

These fans operate on 12V DC power, and you can easily connect them to an interior fridge light where they’ll draw power. Alternatively, you can connect to fridge’s rear power supply, but you’ll need to add an on/off switch in this case.

Where Does an RV Refrigerator Fan Go?

There are a couple of suitable placements for an RV refrigerator fan. One is behind the refrigerator, where the fan (or fans) can remove excess heat through the exterior vent. 

You could also place an auxiliary fan on the refrigerator’s inside, either on or near the cold fins. The fan circulates the air evenly to achieve a consistent temperature throughout the refrigerator. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x6Ueb94fyd0

Why You Need an RV Refrigerator Fan

RV absorption fridges work pretty well in moderate temperatures, but they only cool to a certain degree below ambient temperatures. If you’re camping or traveling in a location where the temps are running high, your fridge will struggle to reach 40 degrees below the ambient temperature. At 90 degrees F, you’re looking at 50 degrees inside your fridge. You’ll be throwing food away if it reaches 100 degrees.

An auxiliary RV refrigerator fan can either remove excess heat or evenly distribute cool air throughout the refrigerator, helping your fridge run more efficiently, saving power and propane.

Best RV Refrigerator Fans to Keep Your Food Cold

After taking a closer look at how a refrigerator fan can save the day, you’ll want some recommendations. Here are the ones we think work best. 

Titan Double Rack Mount RV Refrigerator Fan

You’ll mount the Titan Double Rack Mount RV refrigerator fan to the refrigerator’s rear vent to remove excess heat from the box. The dual fan unit is waterproof and comes with a six-level speed controller to adjust for particular circumstances. 

This unit has automatic temperature control, so if the temperature hits 20 degrees F, the fan will automatically shut off. If the temperature hits 45 degrees, it will automatically run at maximum speed. 

Reviewers state that it’s quiet, easy to install, and has a shallow power draw.

Valterra FridgeCool Exhaust Fan

The Valterra FridgeCool Exhaust Fan is a small 12V fan installed on the roof vent or under the fridge coils to keep them cool. It uses a wind tunnel design to improve efficiency.

The fan automatically activates when the fridge is in hot temperatures. It’s a small, single fan measuring 2-3/4” x 3-1/2”, and it’s rated to move air at 12.5 CFM (cubic feet per minute). 

Reviewers say that it works well in high temperatures, including some who live in the desert and regularly deal with 115-degree heat. 

Triple Fan Deluxe RV Refrigerator Fan

The manufacturer states that this three-fan unit should keep RV refrigerators frost-free and work with any model RV refrigerator. It’s easy to install with only a single wired connection and one ground connection. 

The fan attaches to the fins and has an amp draw of 0.07A per fan. The entire product measures 13 x 4 3/16” and ½” thick. It’s also lit with a white LED light that you can switch on and off, and the unit comes with velcro mounts for easy mounting to refrigerator fins. You can run the power cord down the condensation drain tube to connect to 12V DC power behind the refrigerator.

Reviewers note that the operating sound is “quiet, like computer fans”. They’re also impressed with this triple-fan unit’s efficiency.

Tips for Keeping Your RV Refrigerator Cold

Along with installing an RV refrigerator fan to keep the cold air circulating, try to park the fridge-side of your RV in the shade. 

Also, consider running your fridge on propane when possible, as most fridges get colder and work more efficiently when running in propane mode. 

Finally, use a digital thermometer to monitor your refrigerator and freezer’s internal temperatures. 

Overall, installing an RV refrigerator fan can make all the difference in keeping your refrigerator evenly cold and running efficiently, saving you the danger and expense of spoiled food and frozen lettuce!

Last update on 2024-04-15 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API