I did manage to get my fridge reinstalled today.
>
Before I put it back in I covered the interior of the cavity (sides back
and top) with reflective bubble sheeting. 1st time I used it in a fridge
cavity, hopefully it will be O.K. The text on the fridge serial number
plate says " clearance from combustibles bottom, sides, back, and top 0
inches "
>
The insulation was applied such that it cut down on the air movement
between the fridge cavity and the coach, in particular past the partition=
to outside wall gaskets. With this insulation, the amount of heat escapin=
g
into the coach rather than out the vent on top has gone way down. Since t=
he
temperatures are quite high at the burner and up the insulated box above
the burner, I covered the bubble insulation both on that side partition a=
nd
also on the exterior wall in the area of the burner/insulated box with
galvanized metal.
>
For mounting of the new back wall for convection to the fridge I used met=
al
wire clamps designed for about 3/4 inch diameter wiring. My fridge has
refer pipes flush with the back of the fins. These clamps attached the
galvanized sheet to these pipes. That way the only mounting holes I drill=
ed
are in the galvanized. I have less than 1/2" clearance between the
galvanized and the fins. I kept the galvanized flush with the top of the
fins since my fridge is very tall and the back corner of the fins almost
touches the radius of the exterior wall.
>
Given the close proximity of the fins to the radius of the wall/ceiling i=
f
I weren't mounting a fan I don't think I would need this "back wall". The=
galvanized extends about 2" below the fins and I made brackets to mount t=
he
fan to the galvanized so that the air is moved up.
>
On the back of the fridge the use of cooling fins is limited to only one
area at the top of the fridge so I don't think I needed for the wall to
extend below. The thinking was that if they were looking for cooling in t=
he
lower part of the fridge (and therefore improved convection would be
worthwhile) then surely they would have put cooling fins there. Was I
wrong?
>
I would have liked a thermal switch that turns on at about 100 degrees (f=
or
mounting above the cooling fins). If I find one I think I will rework the=
project to use it, but I had to get the fridge back in. I used a thermal
switch that turns on at 175 degrees and used a fuel line clamp to secure =
it
to the refer pipe coming out of the insulated box containing the burner.
>
The temperatures have risen considerably with the fridge mounted back in
the opening. With the elevated temperatures I am seeing with the fridge
reinstalled the thermal switch is simply limiting the use of the fan to
whenever the fridge is on!
>
Performance of the fridge has deteriorated considerably with it back in t=
he
opening. Although the freezer seems to be working good the fridge is not
cooling as fast as I would expect.
>
Tomorrow I will install a fan to circulate air inside the fridge. Hopeful=
ly
the fridge will perform once I make its life a little easier.
>
It is getting late. Hopefully tomorrow or Monday I will be able to detail=
the temperatures found with the fridge reinstalled.
>
Regards
>
Gary Zingle
>
Before I put it back in I covered the interior of the cavity (sides back
and top) with reflective bubble sheeting. 1st time I used it in a fridge
cavity, hopefully it will be O.K. The text on the fridge serial number
plate says " clearance from combustibles bottom, sides, back, and top 0
inches "
>
The insulation was applied such that it cut down on the air movement
between the fridge cavity and the coach, in particular past the partition=
to outside wall gaskets. With this insulation, the amount of heat escapin=
g
into the coach rather than out the vent on top has gone way down. Since t=
he
temperatures are quite high at the burner and up the insulated box above
the burner, I covered the bubble insulation both on that side partition a=
nd
also on the exterior wall in the area of the burner/insulated box with
galvanized metal.
>
For mounting of the new back wall for convection to the fridge I used met=
al
wire clamps designed for about 3/4 inch diameter wiring. My fridge has
refer pipes flush with the back of the fins. These clamps attached the
galvanized sheet to these pipes. That way the only mounting holes I drill=
ed
are in the galvanized. I have less than 1/2" clearance between the
galvanized and the fins. I kept the galvanized flush with the top of the
fins since my fridge is very tall and the back corner of the fins almost
touches the radius of the exterior wall.
>
Given the close proximity of the fins to the radius of the wall/ceiling i=
f
I weren't mounting a fan I don't think I would need this "back wall". The=
galvanized extends about 2" below the fins and I made brackets to mount t=
he
fan to the galvanized so that the air is moved up.
>
On the back of the fridge the use of cooling fins is limited to only one
area at the top of the fridge so I don't think I needed for the wall to
extend below. The thinking was that if they were looking for cooling in t=
he
lower part of the fridge (and therefore improved convection would be
worthwhile) then surely they would have put cooling fins there. Was I
wrong?
>
I would have liked a thermal switch that turns on at about 100 degrees (f=
or
mounting above the cooling fins). If I find one I think I will rework the=
project to use it, but I had to get the fridge back in. I used a thermal
switch that turns on at 175 degrees and used a fuel line clamp to secure =
it
to the refer pipe coming out of the insulated box containing the burner.
>
The temperatures have risen considerably with the fridge mounted back in
the opening. With the elevated temperatures I am seeing with the fridge
reinstalled the thermal switch is simply limiting the use of the fan to
whenever the fridge is on!
>
Performance of the fridge has deteriorated considerably with it back in t=
he
opening. Although the freezer seems to be working good the fridge is not
cooling as fast as I would expect.
>
Tomorrow I will install a fan to circulate air inside the fridge. Hopeful=
ly
the fridge will perform once I make its life a little easier.
>
It is getting late. Hopefully tomorrow or Monday I will be able to detail=
the temperatures found with the fridge reinstalled.
>
Regards
>
Gary Zingle
