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06-24-2020, 07:02 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Coldwater, Mi
Posts: 386
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Side refrigerator vent replacement with non vented cover
I’m replacing my Absorption refrigerator with an RV 12 volt compressor refrigerator. This style of refrigerator does not need the side vent, so I’m wondering if there is a solid version of the side vent I could get.
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2014 Keystone Bullet Premier 22RBPR
2017 Chevy Colorado (Baby Duramax)
Propride P3 Hitch
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06-24-2020, 07:38 PM
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#2
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Site Team
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Gaylord
Posts: 26,980
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I don't know of a solid version. Probably the easiest way to seal the opening is to remove the existing vent, seal the back of it with either plastic or metal, using a sealant like ProFlex as an adhesive. Then, when dry, reinstall the vent. If your current refrigerator is in a slide, then close and seal the top vent the same way. If you have a roof vent, you'll need to seal that opening also.
Once that's done, after you remove the current refrigerator, cap/remove the gas line, you can cut and fit a 1/2" or 3/4" sheet of rigid foam over the entire back of the cabinet opening.
Doing it this way will give you or the next owner an opportunity to revert to an LPG/AC refrigerator if desired and will also maintain a "conventional appearance" on the outside of the RV.
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John
2015 F250 6.7l 4x4
2014 Cougar X Lite 27RKS
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06-25-2020, 03:27 AM
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#3
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Site Team
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Modesto
Posts: 20,319
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I have dealt with 12V RV refers and all of the ones I’ve seen are still vented.
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2012 Copper Canyon 273FWRET being towed by a 1994 Ford F350 CC,LB,Dually diesel.
Airlift 5000 bags, Prodigy brake control, 5 gauges on the pillar.Used to tow a '97 Jayco 323RKS.
Now an RVIA registered tech. Retired from Law enforcement in 2008 after 25+ yrs.
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06-25-2020, 03:58 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2019
Location: Henniker
Posts: 2,141
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ALL refrigerators need a vent. The basic principal of refrigeration is absorbing heat from inside the compartment and releasing it outside the compartment. Without a vent, where does the heat go?
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06-25-2020, 04:51 AM
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#5
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Site Team
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Gaylord
Posts: 26,980
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My refrigerator in my home is not vented. I've not yet seen a residential refrigerator in an RV that is vented. Compressor refrigerators do not require "outside venting" and typically the cooling coils release their heat "through the bottom and to the front foot panel of the refrigerator. Any "self contained, compressor driven refrigerator is not "sealed" between the front and the back of the unit when installed, so any "opening to the outside" (as is present in an absorption refrigerator installation) will allow insects, hot/cold/humid air to enter the RV, flow around the refrigerator and into the cabin.
There's a significant difference in installation requirements/venting requirements for absorption refrigerators, whether they are LPG/Elec or LPG/Elec/12VDC and compressor driven refrigerators.
The reason venting is necessary in absorption refrigerators is not to release the "exchanged heat from inside the refrigerator/freezer, rather it's to vent/remove the heat produced by the LPG flame or the electric heating element (AC or 12 VDC) that is used to "boil the coolant liquid to convert it to a gas...
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John
2015 F250 6.7l 4x4
2014 Cougar X Lite 27RKS
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06-25-2020, 05:28 AM
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#6
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Site Team
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Modesto
Posts: 20,319
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The 12V refers I dealt with were in Coachman “Mirada” class b motorhomes. There was an “exhaust” fan, and venting at the top of the cabinet. It did put a minimal amount of heat back in the living quarters.
__________________
2012 Copper Canyon 273FWRET being towed by a 1994 Ford F350 CC,LB,Dually diesel.
Airlift 5000 bags, Prodigy brake control, 5 gauges on the pillar.Used to tow a '97 Jayco 323RKS.
Now an RVIA registered tech. Retired from Law enforcement in 2008 after 25+ yrs.
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06-25-2020, 06:07 AM
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#7
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Site Team
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Gaylord
Posts: 26,980
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Chuck,
I believe the Mirada mini-homes use a Norcold compressor driven AC/DC refrigerator ??? Those have a vent panel at the top front of the refrigerator and a fan that pushes warm air through the vent and into the RV interior. It's essentially: Cool air in at the bottom/over the compressor coils/out the top and into the interior. I've never seen one installed with a "sidewall vent to the outside"... A outside vent in that type installation would allow insects, hot or cold air to enter the RV cabin, wouldn't it ???
__________________
John
2015 F250 6.7l 4x4
2014 Cougar X Lite 27RKS
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06-26-2020, 07:30 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Coldwater, Mi
Posts: 386
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Side refrigerator vent replacement with non vented cover
This is the 12volt refrigerator I’m installing. https://furrion.com/products/furrion...v-refrigerator
What’s nice is it’s deeper so a standard 8 cu fridge becomes a 10 cu fridge in the same space.
My Atwood frig stopped cooling the portion, but the freezer was still getting to -9. This one vents out the bottom both in with cool air and out with warm air. There are hole in the back so as stated air, bug, humidity can all enter the cabin if I do not seal it off. I appreciate the advice and ideas of how to do this.
__________________
2014 Keystone Bullet Premier 22RBPR
2017 Chevy Colorado (Baby Duramax)
Propride P3 Hitch
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06-26-2020, 08:37 PM
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#9
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Site Team
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: W. Texas
Posts: 17,671
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Quote:
Originally Posted by chartrand
This is the 12volt refrigerator I’m installing. https://furrion.com/products/furrion...v-refrigerator
What’s nice is it’s deeper so a standard 8 cu fridge becomes a 10 cu fridge in the same space.
My Atwood frig stopped cooling the portion, but the freezer was still getting to -9. This one vents out the bottom both in with cool air and out with warm air. There are hole in the back so as stated air, bug, humidity can all enter the cabin if I do not seal it off. I appreciate the advice and ideas of how to do this.
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Chartrand, this topic was discussed in another thread if I recall. The 12vdc model comes with some unique challenges for the RV owner and, if I were you, based on my experience I would I would not just walk away from a Furrion product, I would run as fast as I could. JMO
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Danny and Susan, wife of 56 years
2019 Ram 3500 Laramie CC SWB SB 6.4 4x4 4.10
2020 Montana High Country 331RL
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