Installing our Residential Fridge with the FoFum members - Update

Topic: Installing our Residential Fridge with the FoFum members - Update (Read 1912 times) previous topic - next topic - Topic derived from MOT for residential r...

Re: Installing our Residential Fridge with the FoFum members - Update

Reply #25 – September 25, 2015, 09:30:13 pm

Solar vent fan and...........................................................................some sort of hinged flapper thingy that can be operated from the inside?? It is a puzzle.

Re: Installing our Residential Fridge with the FoFum members - Update

Reply #26 – September 25, 2015, 09:53:29 pm

Here is an idea. Not sure if this will fit the width of the opening. It uses a 5-1/2" x 11-1/8" opening

Replacement Exterior Pop-Up Roof Vent - Steel - 13-1/2" x 8" - Black Redline...

Leave the existing roof vent in place. Mount this from underneath on the inside. Use something to pull the bar to open, push the bar to close. Something out there will work.

Re: Installing our Residential Fridge with the FoFum members - Update

Reply #27 – September 25, 2015, 10:07:21 pm

Good find. Need some sort of a 12 volt 45 to 90 degree rotational actuator - maybe a couple of limit switches for open/close functions with a toggle or rocker switch on the inside?

?

This is way above my pay grade. Where is our mechanical/electrical engineer when we need one. :-D

Re: Installing our Residential Fridge with the FoFum members - Update

Reply #28 – September 25, 2015, 10:27:47 pm

I am thinking of a stick actuator. Or something like an awning hook. Or a cable left over from my third valve project. Or I have an air cylinder saved from my step replacement. (kind of complicated) ... Simplest, simpler or just simple. Those are the first choices. Then maybe more complicated.

Re: Installing our Residential Fridge with the FoFum members - Update

Reply #29 – September 26, 2015, 11:54:29 am

I have had my Samsung for 6 months now. I closed off the outside wall vent with tape and insulation applied to the removable cover. That will work till I replace the cover with a new cover being used on new coaches without RV refers that has no opening in the cover.

I closed off the roof vent about 70%, thinking some heat needs to rise up and out of the cabinet. My 33" unit fits the 33" opening, but air can get under the unit and rise as it wants to exit at the roof. My side wall openings are about 1/4" wide, and I have done nothing to close, or seal them.

We have been in temps to 100, and lows now in the high 30's this summer. I am more than happy with the install, notice no wind noise, traveling or parked.

Re: Installing our Residential Fridge with the FoFum members - Update

Reply #30 – September 26, 2015, 12:18:42 pm

Quote from: Dave and Dolly Cobb – September 26, 2015, 11:54:29 am

I have had my Samsung for 6 months now. I closed off the outside wall vent with tape and insulation applied to the removable cover. That will work till I replace the cover with a new cover being used on new coaches without RV refers that has no opening in the cover.

Hi Dave.

When you find the new cover without openings let us know where it comes from. I haven't found it yet.

I did pretty much the same with the venting on our install. I didn't close off the roof vent until July before we went out west. Having some opening on top is desireable when it is above freezing. We did notice cold air coming in while driving from -10° to Texas in January. Normally open most of the time would be fine. Having a simple way to close it some times and open it and leave it open for most times would be nice.

Re: Installing our Residential Fridge with the FoFum members - Update

Reply #31 – September 26, 2015, 06:10:45 pm

I guess that's when PMing would come in handy😜

Re: Installing our Residential Fridge with the FoFum members - Update

Reply #32 – September 26, 2015, 08:30:34 pm

I must admit that I have probably abused them too. Although they have always been there when I needed them.

Refrigerator doors are off and is defrosted. Pulled the 110vac plug and disconnected the 12 volt lines and the LP gas line. Also pulled two lag bolts from the back and two screws from the front. Will try to pull out in the AM.

Re: Installing our Residential Fridge with the FoFum members - Update

Reply #33 – September 26, 2015, 08:37:24 pm

Silicone will likely make it a bit of effort. If it just doesn't budge start looking for more screws/bolts. I think I found more in the back.
Almost ready for fun!

Re: Installing our Residential Fridge with the FoFum members - Update

Reply #34 – September 27, 2015, 02:46:31 am

Quote from: Roger & Susan in Home2 – September 25, 2015, 09:53:29 pm

Here is an idea. Not sure if this will fit the width of the opening. It uses a 5-1/2" x 11-1/8" opening

Replacement Exterior Pop-Up Roof Vent - Steel - 13-1/2" x 8" - Black Redline...

Leave the existing roof vent in place. Mount this from underneath on the inside. Use something to pull the bar to open, push the bar to close. Something out there will work.

We have those vents on the roofs of the Armored trucks at work. VERY stiff and hard to open and close, they also leak. Its usually a STRONG two handed yank or push to operate them. and that's pulling sraight down or pushing straight up.

Re: Installing our Residential Fridge with the FoFum members - Update

Reply #35 – September 27, 2015, 05:50:43 pm

Well..... Got started this morning at about 9:30AM and the new refer was in place by 2PM. Still have the cherry trim to have milled and install but the rest is done. What a project. Loaded with fear, anticipation and a fair bit of planning, I am now breathing easier. I might be able to sleep tonight.

I did not get pics. Sorry - in reality there are no pics that I could have taken that aren't already here on the FoFum. Son Jacob was the ramrod and my Son-in-law was his helper. I outlined the job and Son Jacob took over and i stuck my head in the way a few times. Bill B. stopped by often to see the progress and to make himself available. BTW he did bring over a nice fan for the boys and he makes great sweet tea.

High points -
- The white outlet behind the refer is the one we plugged into after moving the outlet under the drawers next to the refer. We did test that outlet using a multimeter with shore power off, inverter on and shore powrer on and inverter off.
- Cut off the old LP feed line behind the refer near the floor after capping it at the manifold in the LP Bay.
- Used 1 x 4s and 3/16 poplar to make a base. Used 4 sets. each set was: 2 - 1 x 4 (one on top of the other) and 1 - 3/16 x 2. These together were equivalent to the height of the refrigerator base rail then placed a 2" x 3" x 3/4" piece of plywood on top of that. Screwed it all down. We did have to shim up the back of the refer by 3/16" to have equal reveal around the face of the refer cabinet.
- Installed wood sliding door and works well - insulated on the back side.
- Filled 3/4 of the roof vent from the inside using rigid pink insulator that I bought from the Depot - comes in 2' x 2 ' squares and a healthy amount of Liquid Nails.

Sold the Dometic to a guy for $350 - so after expenses we are probably in for $1100. I did provide a small token of our gratitude of Son Jacob and Chris our Son-In-Law.

Sorry about the no pics. I had asked Carol to take some pics but she was busy doing other things. Once we started it was like a steam roller. The time flew by and then we were done. Well almost.

So there were 3 of us working about 5 hours. I figure I have another 1 to 2 hours to complete the job so that totals 17 hours. 17 hours at $110.00/hr = $1870/-. This was a simple install. Only wires to move was the outlet and all of the rest of the wires were tucked into existing space. Passenger chair removed and the new refer came in through the door. Given the two young bucks that we had available to horse the box around, I would do it the same way again. With a bunch of old guys like me I would definitely go in through the window.

As with most work we have done on our Ol Girl it has been done with the help and support of many FoFum members. A special thank you to Roger for his email and tel, cons. The job appeared to be something that I did not understand or want to understand but upon spending a lot of time on the forum and "Search" being one of my best friends, we were able to complete another job. This forum is amazing.

Thanks to all.the truck of the fellow

I will be pleased to answer any and all questions.

Scott, Carol and Harley Lil' pup.

PS - The only snag occurred when Carol was setting up the new refer and found that she only had 1 door adjustable shelf. Evidently I instructed one of the boys to take ALL of the plastic bins on the kitchen table and put them in the fellows truck that bought the Dometic. OOOOOPS. We are meeting him tomorrow somewhere in Houston to retrieve our misplaced door shelves.

(Another side note: I really like spell check.)

Re: Installing our Residential Fridge with the FoFum members - Update

Reply #36 – September 27, 2015, 06:15:25 pm

Install pic. Sorry...............

Re: Installing our Residential Fridge with the FoFum members - Update

Reply #37 – September 27, 2015, 06:16:35 pm

Two Thumbs up! 👍👍. Like I said, the hardest part is the anxiety, Can I really do this? Yes you can, one step at a time, think it through. Job well done. Just as I expected.

Re: Installing our Residential Fridge with the FoFum members - Update

Reply #38 – September 27, 2015, 06:52:03 pm

Roger - Thanks again.

Just waiting to hear the ice fall in the tray. Our Dometic ice maker never did work so we are looking forward to having to NOT pay for ice.

Re: Installing our Residential Fridge with the FoFum members - Update

Reply #39 – September 27, 2015, 07:27:37 pm

Nice to have the story. Thanks. We will have to do ours but the real issue for us is finding an appropriate fridge. Or buy a U320 so I can install a Samsung.

I appreciate every DIY project as it bolsters my resolve.

Craig

Re: Installing our Residential Fridge with the FoFum members - Update

Reply #40 – September 27, 2015, 09:09:08 pm

Looks MAHVELOUS!!!!! Well done, kiddo!!! I LOVE my fridge, and the ice maker can be turned off when you have a full bin and are relying on just solar to power you. That fridge is working well for us.