RV absorption refrigerators cool by moving heat from inside the box to the cooling unit on the back, where it has to escape through the exterior vents. When that air stalls on a hot day, the fridge warms up. A fan fixes that, and there are two places to put one: outside, behind the fridge, or inside, on the cooling fins. This guide covers both.
Which fan goes where
- Vent fan (outside): the Beech Lane 12V RV Fridge Vent Fan has dual 5.5" (140 mm) fans that pull hot air from behind the fridge out through the side vent. It's waterproof, comes with brackets for American RV vents, and has a remote with an auto mode.
- Fin fan (inside): the Beech Lane 12V Refrigerator Fin Fan has three 2.5" 12V fans that clip to the evaporator fins with alligator clips. It spreads cold air through the box and helps reduce ice buildup on the fins.
- Interior circulation fan: the Beech Lane RV Fridge Fan is a small 3,000 RPM fan with an on/off switch and side vents that moves air inside the fridge to even out the temperature.
Not sure which you need? See RV fridge vent fan vs fin fan.
Before you start
- Turn the refrigerator off, and switch off both its 12V and 120V supply. Shut off the propane if it's a gas/electric unit.
- Let the cooling unit cool down. The burner area and flue get very hot.
- Read the instructions that come in the box. Where they differ from this guide, follow them.
Installing the exterior vent fan
- Remove the side or lower vent cover on the outside of the RV to reach the space behind the fridge. If the cover is cracked or brittle, now is a good time to replace it (see our fridge vent cover guide).
- Find the mounting spot. The fan should sit in the airflow path above the cooling coils, blowing out through the vent. Keep it clear of the burner and flue.
- Mount it with the included brackets. Make sure the blades turn freely and nothing touches wiring or gas lines.
- Wire it to 12V (see the wiring section below).
- Reinstall the vent cover, power the fridge back up, and check the fan runs with the remote. Use the auto mode if you want it to run only when needed.
Installing the interior fin fan
- Empty the top shelf so you can reach the evaporator fins at the back of the fridge compartment.
- Clip the fan bar to the fins with the alligator clips, fans facing into the box.
- Route the power lead per the instructions so the door still seals. A pinched door gasket lets warm air in and undoes the fan's benefit.
- Close up, power the fridge, and check the fans spin.
The single 3,000 RPM fan is simpler: set it on a shelf near the fins, switch it on, and close the door.
12V wiring basics
- Use a fused 12V source. The fridge's own 12V supply or a nearby fused circuit is common. Size the fuse and wire per the fan's instructions.
- Use proper crimp connectors and heat-shrink, not twisted wires and tape. The space behind the fridge gets hot and damp.
- Secure the wire away from the burner, flue and any sharp edges.
- For general rules on wire gauge and fusing, see our 12V install requirements guide.
Still not cooling?
A fan helps, but it can't fix a blocked vent, an unlevel RV or a failing cooling unit. Work through 7 airflow fixes for hot weather and, for fridges that only struggle on 12V, our 12V troubleshooting guide.
Browse all RV fridge parts in our Fridge collection.