1st mod

[Jestercat]

I know in the traditional sense of "modding" that anything changed from factory original can be considered a mod.

Besides some simple changes to organizational things inside the PUP, I am about to embark on what I consider my first mod.... an improved fridge baffle.

Look at my pics page below for some pics I took today of the original factory baffle (not sure what they figure it would accomplish the way it sits)and I will post some progress pics as things move along.

Looking forward to taking advice already learned from here and diving into this mod  :yikes:

http://www.gallery.pstartech.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=48057

[austinado16]

Take a look at my thread from a few weeks ago where I talk about installing a baffle and have a picture of what I did.

Basically, you want no air to be able to rise up the back of the fridge, without going through the metal tubes and coils as it makes its way out the top.

[Jestercat]

Check my photo link at the bottom of my signature for pics of my fridge mod.

I'm going to add a fan later if I figure I need it.  I'll post a usage report after our trip to Niagara Falls this coming week and let everyone know what a difference I found in fridge effeciency....

http://www.gallery.pstartech.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=49992

[wavery]

I will honestly be surprised if that makes any positive difference. The squared bottom of your baffle may actually be more of a blockage of free airflow than a help. If you are going to stay with that design, you may want to add a fan that blows the air out of the top box.

Remember, this system works purely on a "drafting" effect. As the hot air rises, it should draw in cool air into the bottom chamber. You want to encourage free airflow past the fins and avoid any blockage. Your concept is good, it may just be a little restrictive without a fan. You have the air flowing in the right area, I'm just afraid that there may not be enough of it. You may find quite a bit of build up of heat behind the baffle.

[Jestercat]

Thanks for the input wavery.... your knowledge is a benefit to everyone  

I'm not sure what you mean by restrictive.  All the mod pics I've seen on this and other forums show baffles very similar to mine, with reportedly great results.  I thought the goal was to force ALL rising air to go past the condenser fins?

Besides adding the fan, what changes would you make?

I bow to your knowledge oh wise one..... :p

[wavery]

Thanks for the input wavery.... your knowledge is a benefit to everyone  

I'm not sure what you mean by restrictive.  All the mod pics I've seen on this and other forums show baffles very similar to mine, with reportedly great results.  I thought the goal was to force ALL rising air to go past the condenser fins?

Besides adding the fan, what changes would you make?

I bow to your knowledge oh wise one..... :p

To be honest with you, The factory mod has had some good results.

The "Box" shape of your baffle takes up a lot of space. That space is where you need "Drafting" to occur. I may be wrong but it just appears to me that you may be creating a type of an oven behind the baffle. It just doesn't appear that as much air can flow as with the factory mod.

A fan would increase the amount of air that is taken in in the bottom chamber and forced out of the top chamber. Again, I'm just a little concerned about the build-up of heat behind that box. The burner chimney gets awfully hot. it needs air flowing past it, to be exhausted.

[Jestercat]

I took another look at other member's pics of fridge baffle mods.

My mod doesn't seem that much different than recumbentman's baffle, except mine doesn't have the fan.  I think I'll go ahead and add one anyhow, perhaps with a thermostatic switch to control fan/temp on/off cycles.

That way I should have the best of both worlds....

[austinado16]

I like the concept.  I wonder if it wouldn't be improved if it didn't have a 90 degree bend in it?  Maybe it's a moot point because we're not talking about any sort of real air speeds here.  But I guess what I'm saying is, what if it had a gentle curve from your mounting screws up ward, and then became a vertical wall as it met the fins?  Or maybe a taller baffle that mounts on the underside of that crossmember between the 2 louvered panels, and then a gentle sweep up the back of the coils ending where you are ending it now?

Fun to play around with.  Let us know if you notice improved cooling.

[Jestercat]

We're back from our first trip since the fridge baffle mod....

So far so good!  

The perception of both DW and myself is that the fridge is substantially cooler than the original baffle was able to achieve.

The fridge took A LOT less time to get cool, and seemed to maintain a good cooling level despite several trips into it for cold items and beveridges over 2 days camping. :-()

Next, a pancake fan to pull some of the heat out....  :book: