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Topic: Capping fridge roof vents with residential fridge? (Read 548 times) previous topic - next topic

Capping fridge roof vents with residential fridge?

Any reason not to cap the roof vents once a residential fridge has been installed?  Seems like two big chimneys for all the warm air to exit.  Is this ventilation required?
Keith
2003 U320 38' #6197

Re: Capping fridge roof vents with residential fridge?

Reply #1 –
Are the condenser coils for the new residential refrigerator on the back or bottom?

If bottom, yes, I would seal it after confirming that like most residential refrigerators with bottom coils the both draw in and exhaust air out their front.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Capping fridge roof vents with residential fridge?

Reply #2 –
The original fridge has a conditioned air break at the front of the fridge to separate the inside from the outside, but still allows a huge heat or cold source that is inside the outside wall. I'm sure you could reduce down to several square inches top and bottom. If your fridge is not sealed off then I would definitely seal off top and bottom

Re: Capping fridge roof vents with residential fridge?

Reply #3 –
I sealed (and insulated) the roof and wall vents when I installed our Samsung RF18. It has performed perfectly for several years in various outside temperature conditions.
David and Carolyn Osborn
1995 U320C SE 40' Build 4726 Feb 1995
FMCA 147762
Motorcade 17186

Re: Capping fridge roof vents with residential fridge?

Reply #4 –
Quote from: WS6_Keith –
Any reason not to cap the roof vents once a residential fridge has been installed?  Seems like two big chimneys for all the warm air to exit.  Is this ventilation required?

When you say roof vents (plural) (two chimneys) - one is likely the roof vent from the microwave/convection oven.
Dan - Full timing since 2009
2003 U320 40' Tag 2 slide

Re: Capping fridge roof vents with residential fridge?

Reply #5 –
The wall vent is sealed up already.

@D.J. Osborn  - We have that same fridge.  Do you have the microwave/convection oven and if so, do you use it with both vents capped?
Keith
2003 U320 38' #6197

Re: Capping fridge roof vents with residential fridge?

Reply #6 –
Quote from: WS6_Keith –
The wall vent is sealed up already.

@D.J. Osborn  - We have that same fridge.  Do you have the microwave/convection oven and if so, do you use it with both vents capped?

I have the microwave/convection oven and haven't had it out and so I'm not sure but I've seen no indication that it's vented to the outside.
David and Carolyn Osborn
1995 U320C SE 40' Build 4726 Feb 1995
FMCA 147762
Motorcade 17186

Re: Capping fridge roof vents with residential fridge?

Reply #7 –
The vent above the microwave is intact on ours.  The rooftop vent above the refrigerator is now closed. I had and open/close louvered vent under the cap so that in the winter while driving it didn't suck so much cold air.  It required a roof top visit to open or close it.  The side vent for the refrigerator has an insulated slide up door behind the plastic cover. Open it provided additional ventilation, close it closes it up for winter travel.  It also make access to behind the refrigerator pretty easy.

Rooftop cover is aluminum, painted, curved to match roof curve with solar cable entrance.


Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: Capping fridge roof vents with residential fridge?

Reply #8 –
Roger, do you have a separate vent for the microwave/convection oven?  Mine looks to have two vents above the fridge and that's it.

Keith
2003 U320 38' #6197

Re: Capping fridge roof vents with residential fridge?

Reply #9 –
On our 2003 U320, there are two identical looking vents on the roof, one directly above the fridge, one above the microwave/convection.
The microwave is right next to the fridge.

Our microwave/convection vents to the roof through one of those vents.
Dan - Full timing since 2009
2003 U320 40' Tag 2 slide

Re: Capping fridge roof vents with residential fridge?

Reply #10 –
Quote from: WS6_Keith –
Roger, do you have a separate vent for the microwave/convection oven?  Mine looks to have two vents above the fridge and that's it.



Two separate vents, one for the microwave, one for the refrig.  They were isolated as built originally.  Behind the OEM LP refrig the space was sealed to the inside of the coach and vented from the side wall vent and out the roof vent.

The microwave vents to the outside through its own roof vent.
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: Capping fridge roof vents with residential fridge?

Reply #11 –
OK, so the forward vent is for the microwave and the rearward vent is for the fridge.  Got it.

I assume blocking off the vent for the fridge should make a decent difference in keeping the coach warm as hot air rises and is going right out the vent right now.  The side vent is already blocked.
Keith
2003 U320 38' #6197

Re: Capping fridge roof vents with residential fridge?

Reply #12 –
Quote from: WS6_Keith –
OK, so the forward vent is for the microwave and the rearward vent is for the fridge.  Got it.

I assume blocking off the vent for the fridge should make a decent difference in keeping the coach warm as hot air rises and is going right out the vent right now.  The side vent is already blocked.

Depending on who installed the residential fridge, you may find the top vent is already blocked off when you remove the vent cover.  Ours was.
Dan - Full timing since 2009
2003 U320 40' Tag 2 slide