Yet another fridge question

[Dede]

Hello all,
I know this has been answered on numerous occasions, but....... Our fridge in the 2001 expanda heats the bench top, I know this is pretty usual and you pack the sides and the top with "Pink Bats". Now without using fans (we have no battery in our van), that's a question for another day. How do you keep the pink bats in place. I know they don't go down the back of the fridge, but what do you do to stop them moving towards the outside wall and vents?
Photos would be appreciated as hubby is not technically minded.
Thanks in advance.
Dede

 

[Dede]

Sorry guys I realise this is in the wrong area. Can someone transfer to General Forum for me. New here and still working my way around forum.
Thanks in advance.

 

[Bushman]

Sorry guys I realise this is in the wrong area. Can someone transfer to General Forum for me. New here and still working my way around forum.
Thanks in advance.

It's fine where it is, as it is in a sence a Technical/How to question

Unless you do want it moved where it might be seen more

 

[macca]

You should be able to download instructions from Dometic. It need to go into a room sealed enclosure. Normally there are upper and lower vents behind the fridge and normally a separate flue. Dometic or caravan shops sell these bits. If you call Dometic in Victoria, they have specific instructions to help with your problem.

The top of the fridge needs a shroud/cover that diverts heat out the top vent but above the shroud and below the bench can be insulated.

Number one thing is make sure it has a flue, as many don't. You don't want insulation in the workings of the fridge. If you can feel excessive heat on the benches, then it is not going out the rear top vent. You should be able to feel heat out of the top vent from outside.

Handy info here;
http://www.fridge-and-solar.net/fridge_vent.htm

 

[Dede]

You should be able to download instructions from Dometic. It need to go into a room sealed enclosure. Normally there are upper and lower vents behind the fridge and normally a separate flue. Dometic or caravan shops sell these bits. If you call Dometic in Victoria, they have specific instructions to help with your problem.

The top of the fridge needs a shroud/cover that diverts heat out the top vent but above the shroud and below the bench can be insulated.

Number one thing is make sure it has a flue, as many don't. You don't want insulation in the workings of the fridge. If you can feel excessive heat on the benches, then it is not going out the rear top vent. You should be able to feel heat out of the top vent from outside.

Handy info here;
http://www.fridge-and-solar.net/fridge_vent.htm

Hi Macca
Thanks for your reply and the attachment, understand what needs to be done now.
Again, thank you.

 

[Dede]

It's fine where it is, as it is in a sence a Technical/How to question

Unless you do want it moved where it might be seen more

Thanks Bushman, I'll leave it here, Macca has given a great response below.
Regards

 

[Dede]

Hi Macca
Thanks for your reply and the attachment, understand what needs to be done now.
Again, thank you.

Macca and Bushman just to give you an update. Took the top vent off the van yesterday (broke the locking screw - trip to Jayco to get another one today), insulation is already on top of fridge, shroud/hood is in place as is flue. I guess the next step is take to a caravan fridge repairer for checking. It is 13 years old and has probably never been serviced. Works we'll in winter, freezes lettuce etc on 4 setting, but when it's hot outside, 7 doesn't even cool down the bubbly unless it's in the freezer.
Thanks for your help, very much appreciated.

 

[mfexpanda]

What fridge model is it and what is the climate class of the fridge ?

T ,ST , N or SN Should be in the serial number

 

[DaveS]

Macca and Bushman just to give you an update. Took the top vent off the van yesterday (broke the locking screw - trip to Jayco to get another one today), insulation is already on top of fridge, shroud/hood is in place as is flue. I guess the next step is take to a caravan fridge repairer for checking. It is 13 years old and has probably never been serviced. Works we'll in winter, freezes lettuce etc on 4 setting, but when it's hot outside, 7 doesn't even cool down the bubbly unless it's in the freezer.
Thanks for your help, very much appreciated.

sounds like she need some TLC
where i live we cannot get them regassed, closest place to us is Melbourne, so for us at least it's a cheaper option to replace the cooling unit or the fridge.
still hear ppl telling me to turn them upside down and give them a thump ..... never tried it yet, something to do with the gases separating out or something and the thump gets em together again

 

[Dede]

sounds like she need some TLC
where i live we cannot get them regassed, closest place to us is Melbourne, so for us at least it's a cheaper option to replace the cooling unit or the fridge.
still hear ppl telling me to turn them upside down and give them a thump ..... never tried it yet, something to do with the gases separating out or something and the thump gets em together again

Hi DaveS, There is a place in Geelong (two doors up from Jayco) that I believe repairs 3 way fridges. I'll leave it up to them to take the fridge out, re-gas, turn upside down, clean out jets, replace insulation, put in batterns etc if need be. As I have said earlier, hubby is no handyman and I'm not gain to even try it. Yes needs some TLC me thinks also. Have to keep the bubbly cool!!! Priority.

 

[Dede]

Me again guys. Sorry to bother you but does anyone have any photos or can you point me in the direction on the forum of any photos of the rear of the fridge with the top vent removed. I have looked on the internet and I just realised that our deflector plate may be sitting too high as it does not come in contact with the top of the fridge. When we removed the vent I could see and put my hand onto the top of the fridge (thus I could clearly see that insulation was sitting on top of the fridge). I believe this should be sealed from top of fridge to top of bench at rear of fridge (is this correct?) only logical that hot air would be sitting in this gap! If this is the case how do you go about filling in this gap using a piece of 2 x 4??? sitting on top of the rear of the fridge? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I hope you can see on the photo I have attached.
Thanks again

 

[relgate]

I have this pic off my vans for sale ad.
The piece of timber that the fan is attached to is very thin ply. The gap, as you might be able to see, is filled with insulation

 

[Pace]

@relgate

I have this pic off my vans for sale ad.
The piece of timber that the fan is attached to is very thin ply. The gap, as you might be able to see, is filled with insulation

View attachment 20803[
info on fan install would be good. lm interested. Thx Pace

 

[Dede]

I have this pic off my vans for sale ad.
The piece of timber that the fan is attached to is very thin ply. The gap, as you might be able to see, is filled with insulation

View attachment 20803

Relgate, thank you so much. That is exactly what I am after. Now to get hubby to "man up" and do the project. Perhaps if I asked a young good looking chippie to do the project - hubby might get jealous (like in the TV ad)?
Very much appreciated. Good luck with selling the van. I don't think it will be on the market for long!

 

[relgate]

@relgate

Surely your boy could whip this up for you! LOL!

I'll try to do a write up when I have time. You might need to remind me!

 

[relgate]

Relgate, thank you so much. That is exactly what I am after. Now to get hubby to "man up" and do the project. Perhaps if I asked a young good looking chippie to do the project - hubby might get jealous (like in the TV ad)?
Very much appreciated. Good luck with selling the van. I don't think it will be on the market for long!

Thanks @Dede

 

[Dede]

Thanks @Dede

Relgate, I know what I will do. :doh:When my brother is fitting the new tri-fold table into the van, I'll whip off the vent cover and get him to glue in the wood! Now all I have to do is wait on my brother who is a chippie!!! Waiting, waiting, waiting!

 

[Pace]

Surely your boy could whip this up for you! LOL!

I'll try to do a write up when I have time. You might need to remind me!

Yes mate he probably could (in between school, basketball training/ games, homework, eating, more eating, social media, and more eating).
More interested on where you picked up the power source and where to get what ever that sensor thing is attached the coil. Cheers Pace.

 

[relgate]

Relgate, I know what I will do. :doh:When my brother is fitting the new tri-fold table into the van, I'll whip off the vent cover and get him to glue in the wood! Now all I have to do is wait on my brother who is a chippie!!! Waiting, waiting, waiting!

Too easy!

 

[relgate]

Yes mate he probably could (in between school, basketball training/ games, homework, eating, more eating, social media, and more eating).
More interested on where you picked up the power source and where to get what ever that sensor thing is attached the coil. Cheers Pace.

Hi mate.
The 12 v is picked up from the supply to the external light. It runs through the back there.
Just crimped onto the balck and red and you are away!

The sensor thing is a 50 degree normally open thermostat from jaycar
See here: http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=ST3831

You can also get a 70 degree version which is what dometic use for their fan. I want mine to come on whenever the fridge is on because our big problem was the pantry (cupboard) next to the fridge getting warm and ruining the bread. I also insulated the common wall between the 2.

The fan is a super duper quiet one from Jaycar as well
http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=YX2582

I have 2. the one in the picture and another half way between the vents blowing upwards. It was VERY fiddly to get in there. Had to take off the external powerpoint and use the force.