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Topic: Magic Chef 10.1 Residential Fridge Install (Read 3492 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: Magic Chef 10.1 Residential Fridge Install

Reply #25 –
If I remember correctly one goes to the fridge and on goes to the cooktop. On mine the
top one in the propane cabinet goes to fridge. I removed the whole line as I don't like a
pile of useless junk hanging around. If I was going to find out I would cap off one of the
lines and turn on the propane gently and if no propane comes out the fridge line you have
guess right and if propane comes out then that is the line that needs blocking.
Peter and Frieda Morin
1999 36ft. U320 Foretravel
Build # 5436
1998 Suzuki Sidekick Sport

Re: Magic Chef 10.1 Residential Fridge Install

Reply #26 –
I tried to trace how they ran the refrigerator gas line.
The line is hidden the entire way
Although I would prefer to cap it at the tank I think I'll use a flare plug, too, at the refrigerator
Taking the front frame off the existing unit was no fun
Glenn and Amy Beinfest
2001 36' U320
#5812
2014 Honda CRV

No Whining on the YACHT

Re: Magic Chef 10.1 Residential Fridge Install

Reply #27 –
Quote from: GleamB –
I tried to trace how they ran the refrigerator gas line.
The line is hidden the entire way
Although I would prefer to cap it at the tank I think I'll use a flare plug, too, at the refrigerator

Using a flare plug at the refrigerator should be just fine.
David and Carolyn Osborn
1995 U320C SE 40' Build 4726 Feb 1995
FMCA 147762
Motorcade 17186

Re: Magic Chef 10.1 Residential Fridge Install

Reply #28 –
On our first trip out we broke the bottom shelf. Beer bottle fell on it and shelf exploded sending glass into me, under fridge, into fridge and over half the floor.  Replacing with Acrylic that we had cut at a local glass shop. We will have to take both doors off to install the shelf.
1998 36 foot U270 Build No. 5328 WTFE, 900 watts solar, Victron controller, B2B, bat monitor, 600 AMPH lithium with 2018 Chevy Colorado toad, SKP #110239, Motorcade #17781, 2021 Escape 17B for when Coach is broken down and campsites are too small, retired and full-timer since Dec. 2020. Part of RV family since 1963.

Re: Magic Chef 10.1 Residential Fridge Install

Reply #29 –
I have removed the old fridge. The space is lined with what looks like 3/4" blue styrofoam insulation board, which is covered in 21 years of mold. I will be installing a residential refrigerator. It would be easier to remove/ discard the blue board, and reinstall new insulation board, if necessary. I know air wants/ needs to circulate around the new unit.

1) does the new refrigerator require insulation board?

2) do I need to close up the vent in the back and on the roof?

3) what have you done when installing residential refrigerators to prep the existing space?
Glenn and Amy Beinfest
2001 36' U320
#5812
2014 Honda CRV

No Whining on the YACHT

Re: Magic Chef 10.1 Residential Fridge Install

Reply #30 –
Before you get too far with this install, determine how the refrigerator vents the heat extracted from inside. Older refrigerators had coils on the back, some had them underneath, some with fans.  Many modern refrigerators imbed them in the sidewalls. This is part of why the manuals refer to leaving a space, usually about 6 inches around the frig, and say not for built in use. Now, having said all that, many folks have installed frigs made that way and had no issues. Mine is still waiting to be installed but has been working as a second frig in the house for the last two years. My intention was to provide as much airflow space on the sides as possible, probably only about an inch, and them add grills above and below the frig with small computer fans to draw air up past the sides. The idea was to make the fans triggered either by the compressor kicking on, or by temperature. Again, none of this has been done yet, I am involved in other projects. I had also considered building a technology cupboard for the router, NAS, and so forth, above the frig and having the fans run 24/7 drawing air past the frig and cooling the electronics installation.
Mike & Lilli
1991 GV U280 36' SBI, 3208 Cat, Build #3825
4320 Watts Solar
Kansas City, MO

Re: Magic Chef 10.1 Residential Fridge Install

Reply #31 –
I fiber glassed in the roof air vent and insulated the side vent. I took all the blue Styrofoam out
for more air circulation. I also cut out a strip of the veneer at the top in front of the microwave
so it could vent out the top. The fridge was  working fine before I did that but I figured the more
air circulation the better. I put in a pull out pantry so the is good circulation on that side.
Peter and Frieda Morin
1999 36ft. U320 Foretravel
Build # 5436
1998 Suzuki Sidekick Sport

Re: Magic Chef 10.1 Residential Fridge Install

Reply #32 –
I have to ask....if you want air circulation, why would you enclose the side and roof vents. What harm can they do?
Glenn and Amy Beinfest
2001 36' U320
#5812
2014 Honda CRV

No Whining on the YACHT

Re: Magic Chef 10.1 Residential Fridge Install

Reply #33 –
That looks very nice Patrick.
Dub McBride 1996 270

Re: Magic Chef 10.1 Residential Fridge Install

Reply #34 –
It's a lot cooler inside the coach with the air conditioning on in the summer and in the
winter the fridge isn't sealed to the front like the propane fridge so you will have a
big draft of cold air coming the coach.
Peter and Frieda Morin
1999 36ft. U320 Foretravel
Build # 5436
1998 Suzuki Sidekick Sport

Re: Magic Chef 10.1 Residential Fridge Install

Reply #35 –
Reply 34: That was my thinking. I removed a lot of the blue insulation board to create air flow around fridge and then closed off the back and roof vents. My coils are in the wall on the left side where I have five inches of air space. Air circulates from bottom front, through back, and sides, and then out the top front. You can feel the temperature difference top to bottom. I'm also monitoring temp remotely at back of fridge. This reduces the temperature extremes from outside both hot and cold. I will be adding muffin fan at back floor level pulling air up soon to assist with airflow.
1998 36 foot U270 Build No. 5328 WTFE, 900 watts solar, Victron controller, B2B, bat monitor, 600 AMPH lithium with 2018 Chevy Colorado toad, SKP #110239, Motorcade #17781, 2021 Escape 17B for when Coach is broken down and campsites are too small, retired and full-timer since Dec. 2020. Part of RV family since 1963.

Re: Magic Chef 10.1 Residential Fridge Install

Reply #36 –
I left my top and wall vents open.  Figured a little more ventilation was better than not enough.  I run in fair weather without cold/heat extremes.

YMMV

jk
Jack and Cathy
1992 U280 Unihome 36' Build #4034
Cummins 8.3 /  Allison MT647/ PacBrake
Apopka, FL / Barre Center, NY

Re: Magic Chef 10.1 Residential Fridge Install

Reply #37 –
I added a t-stat controlled muffin fan blowing air in the back bottom of the enclosure.  It also has a manual switch in the circuit.

 i also blocked off the bottom and top vents that the old fridge used for ventilation.  Keeps the temps in the cabinet and coach more stable.

Rich
Rich and Peggy Bowman
2002 U270 3610 WTFS, build #5939--"Freedom"
2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit 4xe
SMI AirForceOne brake system
PakCanoe 15

Re: Magic Chef 10.1 Residential Fridge Install

Reply #38 –
I have been monitoring electrical consumption for 930 hours. My average load is 33.35 watts or about 2.8 amps dc off battery. Does not include inverter loss. This does include auto defrosting and full time use with a rather full fridge. It pulls 65 watts AC when running.

Interesting to note that Furion's published average consumption figure is right at 3.75 amps for their 10 CU foot dc fridge.
1998 36 foot U270 Build No. 5328 WTFE, 900 watts solar, Victron controller, B2B, bat monitor, 600 AMPH lithium with 2018 Chevy Colorado toad, SKP #110239, Motorcade #17781, 2021 Escape 17B for when Coach is broken down and campsites are too small, retired and full-timer since Dec. 2020. Part of RV family since 1963.

Re: Magic Chef 10.1 Residential Fridge Install

Reply #39 –
I was curious if removing the passenger side front chair would make removing the old fridge and getting the new fridge in easier.  I also have the curved dash with the useless cup holders. From what i am reading it's seems like a pretty straight forward swap if the dimensions are the same or close.
06 Nimbus 34'
Build #6362

Re: Magic Chef 10.1 Residential Fridge Install

Reply #40 –
Those useless cup holder on my coach some previous owner used ABS couplers. It looks
like they were turned down a bit on a lathe. Also someone on the forum was making extentions
on a 3D printer and was selling them.
Peter and Frieda Morin
1999 36ft. U320 Foretravel
Build # 5436
1998 Suzuki Sidekick Sport

Re: Magic Chef 10.1 Residential Fridge Install

Reply #41 –
Quote from: EddieNel –
I was curious if removing the passenger side front chair would make removing the old fridge and getting the new fridge in easier. 

I moved the chair back and swiveled it to provide maximum clearance. I also lifted up the center dash cover and propped it open. Threw  a towel over dash to protect it. I did remove doors on both fridges and cooling unit on old Norcold to make it easier to get in and out. Fridges weigh about same as me, so was interested in making them easier to handle.
1998 36 foot U270 Build No. 5328 WTFE, 900 watts solar, Victron controller, B2B, bat monitor, 600 AMPH lithium with 2018 Chevy Colorado toad, SKP #110239, Motorcade #17781, 2021 Escape 17B for when Coach is broken down and campsites are too small, retired and full-timer since Dec. 2020. Part of RV family since 1963.

Re: Magic Chef 10.1 Residential Fridge Install

Reply #42 –
Well @Realmccoy is dead on with post #1.  Only thing different that I did was unbolt the passenger chair and moved it back. 2 lag screws at the rear of the fridge and 2 wood screws at the bottom and 2 at the top.  The Dometic has a special place for them to fasten the fridge to the wood cabinet.  I had to pop the top cover with the thermostat and controls to get to the top screws.  Super easy.  Just took the doors and hinges off but I'm quitting for the day.  Fridge is still in the motorhome. 
06 Nimbus 34'
Build #6362