What is above my fridge?

[[TASF]Overkill]

2009 Keystone Sprinter 264BHS...



I am considering using this area above my fridge for the installation of a few control panels... but I don't know what I would encounter after cutting a hole...

Is there any reasonable way to remove the whole panel and then replace it? Wish I could find one of these in a junk yard and beat it apart... I'd learn a lot.

[Nagrompj]

Behind the frig is basically a chimney. Cool air comes in the bottom vent and out the top vent. If you are going to do any modifications make sure you don't disturb that air flow.
Above the frig there may not be anything. You can remove the frig and check before you make any new holes. After disconnecting the gas and electric and some fasteners from the outside bottom vent and a few fasteners from inside the fridge should slide straight out.

[hankpage]

If you remove the screws from the roof vent for the fridge, ( not the base that mounts to the EPDM with many screws and sealant .. the top part of the vent comes off separately with just a few screws.) You should be able to see down behind the fridge without disturbing anything. These wood panels are held on with staples from the rear .... using a hammer on a block of wood close to the edge of the panel, gently tap all around until the staples start to come loose. ..... if this does not work, get a bigger hammer.

No two installs are the same .... but I am guessing that you will have room for what you want. Good luck, Hank ...... off to a good start with pictures, keep them coming.

[jsmith948]

X2 what Hankpage posted - in fact, there is a cabinet above our fridge. It is only half as deep as the other cabinets due to the chimney hidden behind the rear wall of the cabinet. Don't know if the control panels you plan to install are heat sensitive, but, the interior of our cabinet over the refer stays warm enough the DW can't keep the bread there. Not HOT but it does get warm. Just sayin'

[[TASF]Overkill]

Thanks guys!

Hankpage, if I tap out the panel to take a look, it sounds like I may not be able to reinstall it if if I can't able cess the back, right?

[hankpage]

You may have a similar panel to this below the fridge also. cutting the panel to fit and adding small blocks of wood for support replacing the panel is easy ..... I used cabinet magnets but screws work well too.

[Pull Toy]

How about a test hole from inside of the cabinet to the right of your fridge? When done you can always cover this hole with a patch inside the cabinet.

If you plan it right you could use a blank switch type faceplate, or even a round soffit vent. If the area stays warm, as mentioned, the better choice is probably the switch plate cover, or use duct tape on the back side of the soffit vent so the heat doesn't transfer to your cabinet.

Good Luck!

[Voyager]

I have my solar controller mounted in the panel.