My fridge struggles in warm weather
Fine at breakfast, sweating by arvo. Hot air is getting trapped behind your fridge, so it can't shed heat fast enough.
Step 1: diagnose
What's your fridge doing?
Cold drinks shouldn't be the hardest part of the trip. Pick the one that sounds most like your van. Each path explains what's going on, what to grab before you start, and where to go next.
My fridge frosts up or cools unevenly
Icy down the bottom, lukewarm up top, frost creeping over the fins. Cold air is pooling inside the cabinet instead of moving around.
My fridge has both problems
Struggles in the heat and frosts up? That's two airflow problems in two different spots. Good news: they bundle.
My drawer fridge or electronics are overheating
Drawer fridge, inverter or battery charger tucked into cabinetry with nowhere for the heat to go? That's a ventilation job.
Not sure which one you are? Ask the people who build them.
Problem: The fridge is full. Shame it isn't cold!
Fridge giving up in the heat? You need an external vent fan.
Your fridge keeps things cold by dumping heat out the back. When still, hot air gets trapped in the cavity behind it, the fridge starts losing the fight. KlevaCool external fans sit behind your upper fridge vent and pull that hot air out. For a 3-way fridge struggling in warm weather, this is usually the best place to start.
- Heat gets trappedStill air builds up in the rear fridge cavity, especially on hot days.
- The fridge works harderSlower cool-down and weaker performance right when you need it most.
- KlevaCool moves the airPurpose-built fans pull hot air out through your vent so the fridge can do its job.
Before you start, grab:
- Where your upper fridge vent is. On the roof, or on the side of the van?
- A clear look at that vent (or a photo). Quick tip: Dometic vents have clips on the left side, Thetford vents have two clips across the top.
- A tape measure. Measure the space from the outside wall of the van to the closest object behind the vent.
The selector works out
- The kit for your vent brand and size
- Early or late Dometic
- Thetford small or large
- Uni-Fit and Dometic rooftop
- No-exhaust-outlet versions
- 10, 20 or 30mm spacer, if you need one
Up to 7 quick questions. Or browse the external fan kits.
Problem: frost and uneven cooling
Frosty fins, warm top shelf? You need an internal fridge fan.
Before you start, check:
- Your fridge type. 3-way (gas / 12V / 240V) or compressor (12V / 24V)?
- The fins (3-way only). Peek inside at the back. Are the silver fins visible, or hidden behind a plastic cover?
- Your fridge size. It's on a sticker inside the fridge. The selector just needs to know if it's over or under 150 litres.
The selector works out
- Twin or triple clip-on fans for 3-way fridges with exposed fins
- Single or twin compressor-style fans for compressor fridges, and for 3-way fridges with covered fins
3 quick questions. Or browse 3-way internal fans and compressor internal fans.
Cold air sinks and warm air rises. With nothing moving it around you get icy bits, lukewarm bits and frost building up on the fins. A KlevaCool internal fan gently circulates air through the cabinet, so the whole fridge sits at a more even temperature.
- More even tempsFrom the top shelf to the crisper.
- Less frostMoving air means less build-up on the fins.
- Faster recoveryBack to temp quicker after the door's been open.
- Auto door switchFans stop when the door opens and restart when it closes.
Problem: both heat and frost
Got both problems? You need both fans. Here's why.
They're two different airflow problems in two different places. Fix one and the other one's still hanging around. Think of it as the exhaust fan and the ceiling fan: different jobs, same cold beer.
Behind the fridge
The external fan gets heat out
Pulls trapped hot air out through your upper vent so the fridge can shed heat.
Inside the fridge
The internal fan shares the cold around
Circulates cold air through the cabinet so it cools evenly and frosts up less.
- Start with the external selectorIt's the bigger win on hot days, and it finds the right kit for your vent.
- Add internal fans to the same orderYour kit's product page lets you add internal fans (3-way or compressor style) and a KlevaCool remote at a discounted bundle rate.
- Not sure which internal fans?Run the internal selector (3 questions) and tick the matching add-on.
Problem: cabinetry cooking
Drawer fridge or electronics overheating? Meet the KavityKoola.
In the kit: KavityKoola fan, 2 vents, cutting templates, stainless screws and cover caps, fuse holder and 2 fuses, 4m of wire, zip ties and full instructions.
Drawer-style fridges, inverters and battery chargers all make heat. Build them into cabinetry with nowhere for it to go and they run hot and work harder. The KavityKoola is a 120mm enclosure fan that pulls fresh air through the cavity and keeps things running cool. No selector needed: one kit, fitted with the included cutting templates.
- 58 CFMAirflow (1,640 L/min)
- From 150mA(3.6Ah/day MAX)
- AdjustableTemp control, relocatable probe with 70cm extension
- Front panelOn/off switch and variable fan speed
- Whisper quietDual rubber-sealed ball bearings
- Black or whiteMatt finish to suit your fit-out
For inside the van only. Not waterproof.
$179
The cheat sheet
A quick summary for those about to hit the road.
| Your problem | Where the fan goes | What you need | Selector | Have handy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Struggles in warm weather | Behind the fridge, on the upper vent | External vent fan kit | Yes, up to 7 questions | Vent location, vent brand, tape measure |
| Frosts up or cools unevenly | Inside the fridge cabinet | Internal fridge fans | Yes, 3 questions | Fridge type, fin cover, fridge size |
| Both of the above | Behind and inside | External kit plus internal fan add-on | External first, then internal | All of the above |
| Drawer fridge or electronics overheating | In the cabinetry cavity | KavityKoola 120mm fan | Not needed | Space in your cabinetry (see the dimensional drawing on the product page) |
Cold beer, happy campers.
Straight from customers who've fitted them, word for word.
This is a great product,the fridge always iced up but now the fridge compartment is cold top and bottom and no more icing up.
Very good communication and fast delivery. The systems is very easy to fit and keeps the fridge temperature well down even in 45 degree days.
Great product.Have fitted both of your fans and they work brilliantly. Seems like a different fridge.
Worth every cent im in far north Queensland fridge stays at 3 degrees no mater the weather
Great product, designed well and easy to install, would highly recommend!
A fan is an upgrade. Not a magic wand.
KlevaCool helps an already working fridge perform at its best. It can't fix faulty seals, blocked burners, failed components or a dodgy install. If the fridge itself has a problem, get that diagnosed first. If airflow is the problem? Now we're talking.
Built tough. Because Australia is.
Made for heat, dust, long distances and the corrugations between you and the next cold one.
IP68-rated fans
Dust and water protected, built for a long life on rough roads.
Quiet operation
Real airflow without an irritating soundtrack at camp, thanks to dual rubber-sealed ball bearings.
Purpose-built mounts
Self-aligning 3D-printed plates keep airflow pointed exactly where it matters.
DIY-friendly install
Full step-by-step instructions in every kit, plus cutting templates where you need them.
Local phone support
Designed, made and supported in Queensland by the people who actually build them.
3-year warranty
Every kit is fully tested before it ships, and backed for three years after.
Caravan fridge fan FAQs
The questions we hear most, answered straight.
Which caravan fridge fan do I need?
It depends on the problem. Hot-weather struggles need an external vent fan, frost or uneven cooling needs an internal fan, both problems need both, and hot drawer fridges or electronics need a KavityKoola. Pick your problem above.
Should I get an internal or external fan first?
If heat is the issue, start external. It's usually the bigger win for a 3-way fridge in warm weather, and you can add internal fans to the same order at a discount.
Will KlevaCool fit my Dometic or Thetford vent?
There are kits for Dometic vents (early, late, large and rooftop) and Thetford vents (small and large), plus a Uni-Fit kit. The external selector matches you to the right one. Thetford rooftop vents aren't covered yet, but one's in the works.
What's a spacer plate, and do I need one?
If there's not much room behind your vent, a 10, 20 or 30mm spacer plate gives the fans the clearance they need. The selector tells you if you need one from your measurement.
Do they suit 3-way and compressor fridges?
Internal fans come in 3-way and compressor styles, and the internal selector picks the right one. For external fans, the selector works from your vent, so run it and it'll match you.
Can I install it myself?
Yes. Every kit comes with full instructions, and the team is a phone call away if you get stuck. Queenslanders, have a read of our QLD fan kit compliance notice before you start.
Are they noisy?
Nope. The fans run on dual rubber-sealed ball bearings, so you get airflow without a campsite soundtrack.
What's the warranty?
Three years. Every kit is fully tested before it leaves Queensland.
Still not sure?
Ask the people who build them.
Tell the 3DPrintRV team a bit about your van and fridge. They'll point you to the right KlevaCool setup before you order so your next adventure to the beach or bush has plenty of beautifully cold beer.
Give the team a call on 0438 500 289
or email info@3dprintrv.com
Prevent the tragedy of warm beer.
Get the fridge sorted. Get back to the trip.