Reefer Vent

[john wright]

Gentlemen,

Lets thinks about the heat that is generated by the refig... How many
refig. fires have GMC had out there in the last 25 years?? I think not
any! This is not a problem with the coach. The advantage of using a
fan to increase the convection air flow up the back of the frig. is that
it will allow the cooling unit to function more efficiently in hot
weather. The fan assy that Camping World sells is more than enough to
provide the necessary draft and increased air flow.

J.R. Wright
GMC GreatLaker
77 Eleganza II
Michigan

>
> Emery and Rick
>
> Wow you guys have my attention. I would like very much to hear
> about what the temperatures up there are. Can anybody tell me how
> hot this thing can get? I must tell you I cant believe it gets much
> over 180 degrees up there. I know I too read the story of the coach
> that burned up from a nest up there. I must admit that I think there
> is more to that story. If you take combustibles and subject them
> to 180 degree heat for a long time you can get a form of spontaneous
> combustion. This would mean that the wood in the cabinet could go
> at anytime. I dont think anybody would do that poor of a design.
> Somebody go stick a thermometer in the roof vent and report the
> ambient and vent temperature. I will try to get ahold of Norcold. I am
> listening to you guys but I am not ready to give up on this yet. I
> have one of the cheap ones mounted above my coils in the Le Sharo.
> It is just about the only way that refrigerator will work. Got to learn
> more.
>
> Take Care
> Arch 76 GB IL
>
> In a message dated 8/27/99 8:15:43 AM Central Daylight Time,

>
> >
> > Arch -- I totally agree with Rick Staples response not to put anything
> above
> >
> > the refrig coils. Wiring and plastic could easily melt and short out and
> > start a fire. I mounted a small computer type fan purchased at Radio
> Shack
> > below my refrigerator coils and have only used it a couple of times when
> the
> >
> > ambient temp was over 100 degrees. It helps the flow of air by blowing it
> > up
> > through the coils to the outlet.
> >

 

[gary miller]

I could guess that there is a Big difference in the vent temperatures between the
compressor type (12/110v only) as OEM and the ammonia absorption type
(Propane/electric) refrigerators, the compressor type being much cooler. In my
'77 Kingsley the vent shaft is simply thin lauan plywood, very combustible, but
OK for the OEM refrigerator.
Gary
North Bend, Oregon Coast

> Emery and Rick
>
> Wow you guys have my attention. I would like very much to hear
> about what the temperatures up there are. Can anybody tell me how
> hot this thing can get? I must tell you I cant believe it gets much
> over 180 degrees up there. I know I too read the story of the coach
> that burned up from a nest up there. I must admit that I think there
> is more to that story. If you take combustibles and subject them
> to 180 degree heat for a long time you can get a form of spontaneous
> combustion. This would mean that the wood in the cabinet could go
> at anytime. I dont think anybody would do that poor of a design.
> Somebody go stick a thermometer in the roof vent and report the
> ambient and vent temperature. I will try to get ahold of Norcold. I am
> listening to you guys but I am not ready to give up on this yet. I
> have one of the cheap ones mounted above my coils in the Le Sharo.
> It is just about the only way that refrigerator will work. Got to learn
> more.
>
> Take Care
> Arch 76 GB IL
>
> In a message dated 8/27/99 8:15:43 AM Central Daylight Time,

>
> >
> > Arch -- I totally agree with Rick Staples response not to put anything
> above
> >
> > the refrig coils. Wiring and plastic could easily melt and short out and
> > start a fire. I mounted a small computer type fan purchased at Radio
> Shack
> > below my refrigerator coils and have only used it a couple of times when
> the
> >
> > ambient temp was over 100 degrees. It helps the flow of air by blowing it
> > up
> > through the coils to the outlet.
> >

 

[edgar t. kremer]

Don't be concerned about a muffin fan in the roof vent. I've had one installed
for years -- a RS model.

>
> > Now I am looking for two fans to put in
> > the vent hole on top. That opening is 20 inches by 5 inches. I would
> > really like to put in two 5 inch 12v computer grade fans in that opening.
> > Do any of you know of a source for them.
>
> Arch,
> The surplus electronics store I work at sells various sizes of "computer
> fans" for anywhere from $8 to $24, some new, some used, some ball-bearing,
> some not. Suggest you look for such a store in your area.
> OTOH, I'd be leary of installing them in the vent opening. The air and
> combustion products escaping through that vent are HOT. At least check it
> with a thermometer on a hot day before you do it. I'd be afraid of melting
> the fan blades, or worse. ;-)
>
> Good luck, take care.
>
> Rick Staples
> '75 Eleganza
> Louisville, CO

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[wayne newland]

Guys

I started selling m.h. in 1973 and one of the first things that I learned, as far
as service goes, was to put a fan in the back of the refg. This idea is not new,
it probably goes back to the first production rv refg. It is interesting, that
we now know where to place it.

Wayne Newland

> In a message dated 8/27/99 6:15:28 PM Central Daylight Time,

>
> >
> > Don't be concerned about a muffin fan in the roof vent. I've had one
> > installed
> > for years -- a RS model.
> >
> Edgar
>
> WAHOO I am not alone! Thank you very much. It was just a theory but now
> I have real experience. Have you had it fail? The sleeve bearing motors they
> supply at the RV stores are just not designed to survive. A good ball bearing
> fan should last a long time. I guess I should ask how does it work? Does it
> keep the old reefer working in hot weather. Can you tell a difference when you
> turn it on? Hey thanks glad to hear that all is not gloom and doom.
>
> Take Care.
> Arch

 

[edgar t. kremer]

It finally gave up the ghost a few weeks ago after 10 years. The motor winding
opened up. I'm sure someone will blame that on heat (that's debatable), but after
10 years I can't complain. There was no heat damage to any of the plastic parts. I
will be replacing it w/a heavy duty unit. I was at the FMCA convention w/101
degree temp in the shade w/o the fan. The reefer had a difficult time maintaining
50 degrees in the box. The fan definitely helps.

RS sells a small (approx. 1.5 inches square) muffin fan that I have attached to
the underneath of the bottom shelf at the front. This is wired to push warm air up
as cold air falls down the rear of the box. Wired directly to 12v, the fan runs
too fast. I placed a resistor in series w/it to reduce speed.

Trailer Life ran a test several years ago w/a fan in the box & found it to
increase the cooling efficiency significantly.

WAHOO I am not alone! Thank you very much. It was just a theory but now
I have real experience. Have you had it fail? The sleeve bearing motors they
supply at the RV stores are just not designed to survive. A good ball bearing
fan should last a long time. I guess I should ask how does it work? Does it
keep the old reefer working in hot weather. Can you tell a difference when you
turn it on? Hey thanks glad to hear that all is not gloom and doom.

>
> Take Care.
> Arch

- --
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
& GMC Schematics Web site &
& http://meltingpot.fortunecity.com/greenside/321/ &
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

 

[edgar t. kremer]

Gas/electric.

> In a message dated 8/27/99 8:25:20 PM Central Daylight Time, Gcbr

>
> > Don't be concerned about a muffin fan in the roof vent. I've had one
> > > installed
> > > for years -- a RS model.
> >
> Edgar
>
> Hey I guess I had better ask a question somebody told me too. Do you
> have the original reefer or a Gas/electric one. The original ones do not
> produce the heat the new ones do. Sure hope you have a gas/electric.
> Otherwise I am back to square 1.
>
> Take Care
> Arch

- --
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
& GMC Schematics Website &
& http://meltingpot.fortunecity.com/greenside/321/ &
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&