Insect screens for Fridge : NO WAY

GeekSquadOfUn · 07-30-2019, 11:15 AM

Well, it was my fault.... Recently I've been having difficulty in keeping my Dometic 4 door RM1350 cold...

It was all my doing... Doh.

I installed these insect screens on my fridge vents, both bottom and top and never, ever suspected they would restrict the airflow... It did.

I took them out, and my fridge is now working, as expected.

I ended up installing 3 extra fans at the top vent, can only help in evacuating hot air.

Bottom line : Do not install those on the 4 Door Dometic RM1350, you will live to regret it. They simply suffocate the fridge and it cannot work as designed...

Mea culpa. Lesson learned.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B072YCQ51Q..._nCjqDbH82RZNT

MerlinB · 07-30-2019, 11:40 AM

Well, here's another opinion. I have had those on my fridge vents since the day after I brought my 2016 Cougar home from the dealer. Have not had any problem with the fridge at all.

YMMV.

**JRTJH** · 07-30-2019, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MerlinB

Well, here's another opinion. I have had those on my fridge vents since the day after I brought my 2016 Cougar home from the dealer. Have not had any problem with the fridge at all.

YMMV.

There's a lot of difference in "ventilation demands and cooling capacity" between a 6 cuft Dometic RM2650 or a 8 cuft Dometic RM2852 (your refrigerator) and a 4 door 12 cuft RM1350.

It's sort of like saying, I don't understand why the radiator in a Ford Explorer won't cool a Ford 6.7l diesel engine.....

While the insect screens "may not inhibit "too much circulation" on a small refrigerator, they do have a negative impact on larger units that require significantly more air movement as evidenced by the OP's experience in a similar situation.

As a note, Dometic states in their warranty guide that installing such screens voids the factory warranty. This doesn't apply to your 2016 trailer, but for someone with a new, in-warranty refrigerator, it may mean the difference in factory support for problems and being denied repairs, even with a new, month old refrigerator. Something to think about for the first two years of ownership.

CrazyCain · 07-30-2019, 12:38 PM

I just take mine out when i am using the fridge, maybe the difference is i'm not a full timer and use them only when the trailer is in storage..

**chuckster57** · 07-30-2019, 03:17 PM

As per Dometic and Norcold reps:

FLEA COLLARS

GeekSquadOfUn · 07-30-2019, 03:56 PM

Need to add that I've had some bug screens installed on my previous 5th wheel, not in a slide out, 2 door Dometic, for 5 years, worked fine.

So clearly the 4 door in a slide, needs more air. First hand experience.

GeekSquadOfUn · 07-31-2019, 10:54 AM

Flea collars.

Thank you. I have read it's a good deterrent and cheap too.

No impact on airflow ��

Kaptn Krabby · 08-25-2019, 04:10 AM

Any particular brand or type of flea collar?

**chuckster57** · 08-25-2019, 05:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kaptn Krabby

Any particular brand or type of flea collar?

Not that I am aware of. I would buy the cheapest ones you can get.

Laredo Tugger · 08-25-2019, 06:15 AM

I had my trailer parked for about three weeks in one spot at a friends property.
The afternoon sun was on the fridge side and the fridge just wasn't keeping things cold. I took the covers off and reattached them zip ties where the insert lock nuts go and then propped the covers to open away from the camper with a couple of short sticks. The afternoon breeze did the rest. This worked great,the fridge performed perfect. In direct sunlight the factory vent covers were holding to much heat.
RMc

Daryles · 08-25-2019, 12:59 PM

DW saw wasps flying in and out the top vent. I took it off. Mud dauber wasps had built a nest on top of the fan totally blocking it. Cleaned out the wasps/nests. I'll have to replace the fan (inop) and install screens to prevent future nests. I guess I will do the fan mod/ upgrade when I do this.

**chuckster57** · 08-25-2019, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daryles

DW saw wasps flying in and out the top vent. I took it off. Mud dauber wasps had built a nest on top of the fan totally blocking it. Cleaned out the wasps/nests. I'll have to replace the fan (inop) and install screens to prevent future nests. I guess I will do the fan mod/ upgrade when I do this.

Did you have flea collars in the compartment?

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