Upgrading the fan on a Vitrifrigo C60i

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Updated 2016-05-31 : Updated with information about the fan resistor. Also, I added some insulation panels: Vitrifrigo Extra Insulation

Updated 2015-06-28 : First version

Introduction

I love my Vitrifrigo C60i, but the fan is a bit noisy (much noisier, in fact, than the compressor is). In this page I describe a simple fan upgrade.

Notes:

• For my original writeup on installing the C60i, see Installing the Vitrifrigo C60i in a Eurovan
• Folks over on the Samba are also doing fan upgrades for their compressor fridges too: Link

Parts:

• A quiet 120mm computer fan. I bought the Aerocool "Dead Silence" fan and am happy with it, but there literally dozens of models. You don't need a lot of airflow, so get one with as low a decibel (dB) rating as possible. 15dB or lower if possible.

Tools:

• Screwdriver
• Wire Cutters
• Soldering Iron

Step-by-Step:

(click each picture for full size)

1. The old fan location:
   Not easy to access, fortunately the entire mechanical unit (compressor, fan, heat exchanger) comes out in one piece.
   
2. Remove the mechanical unit:
   Turn the fridge on its front and squeeze the four white plastic grommets on the bottom to release the mechanicals. Once the feet are released, you can wiggle the entire unit out of the compartment. The copper tubing is flexible, but don't over-do it.
   
   
3. Remove the old fan
   Then you can simply unscrew the fan (mine had only 3 screws, probably because the 4th screw would run into the copper tubing). The original fan is not a high quality unit, which explains the noise.
   
   
   
4. Wiring
   (not shown) wire in the new fan using the same wires as the old fan.
   
   My fan came with an optional "7 Volt" resistor connector which reduces the fan speed (and noise) even further. I did install that, and it is super quiet. If it seems like this is reducing the airflow too much, I'll remove it.
   
   Update May 2016: the 7 volt resistor did seem to be reducing the fan speed too much, so I removed it. The fan is still quiet but the cooling ability seems better.
   
   
5. New fan, mounted.
   I used the original mounting screws but added washers to increase the vibration isolation. I only used 3 screws, the same as with the original fan.
   
   
   
   

Performance:

Within initial testing, it's obvious that the new fan is much quieter than the old fan. With the old fan installed, the overall fridge noise was primarily fan noise, and you could only hear the compressor when it was on high speed. With the new fan installed, it's the opposite: you can mainly hear the compressor, and the fan noise itself is barely audible.

I will report back later after a trip in which I try sleeping in the van which is the real test of noise.