Community Forums

Larry and Suzette · 01-28-2013, 01:57 PM

On our hr the cabinet over the drivers seat, where the DVD player and TV switch box are, gets well over 100 as we set here in the FL sun.

My Dish receiver adds more heat and quits working.

Does anyone have a solution for improving ventilation?

Larry

BFlinn181 · 01-28-2013, 02:03 PM

You could try insulation between the roof cap and the cabinet, or a small (under $5) 'muffin' fan to ventilate the cabinet when electronics are running.

CampDaven · 01-28-2013, 02:13 PM

I open the cabinet doors when the sun is on the front

pagosajoe · 01-28-2013, 02:14 PM

x2 on the muffin fan.

Skip426 · 01-28-2013, 02:20 PM

Any chance you could open up the back of the cabinet to the winshield side , with say a 2" hole saw, one hole to allow air in and another for a small fan to blow out.

danes-on-tour · 01-28-2013, 02:22 PM

We moved some of the equipment to our cabinet immediately to the left of the cabinet you are referring to. I would presume that you have a cabinet there as well?

We drilled a small(ish) hole between the 2 cabinets. Made an extension lead that hooks into the outlets in the original cabinet.

We also "bolted" the Vinegaard distribution box to the "ceiling" of the original cabinet, so now we have none of the appliances stacked on top of one another

The original location is now no way near as hot as what it used to be, and we no longer have appliances stopping due to overheating.

MSHappyCampers · 01-28-2013, 03:12 PM

When we removed the front TV and reworked the cabinet I put a layer of Reflectix against the fiberglass front cap all the way across behind the cabinets and filled the rest of the space with fiberglass insulation. It made an amazing difference!

Good luck, happy trails, and God bless!

justaroamer · 01-28-2013, 03:30 PM

Like others said, insulate, more insulation. When upgrading TV in front, I added a couple of layers of insulation to the cap...lots of space there. Feed/Pushed it from the TV area above the Passenger area with a piece of PEX tubing attached to the insulation w/duct tape, leave the pex. A great help as we are in the same spot looking east that we were last year...big difference.

wa8yxm · 01-28-2013, 05:44 PM

I did several mods.. I cut several large holes (4") in the back where .. To be honest I can't see them without emptying the compartment.

I cut one in the side (Same thing) and mounted a muffin fan with a T-Stat

I removed the plexi (plastic) Insert in the door and replaced it with a custom made screen, black anodized.

Going to do the other side this summer so they match (On the door)

Much cooler up there now.

I also remove the covers from the hardware up there and blow the dust out from time to time Makes big difference.

Dean B · 01-28-2013, 10:13 PM

My o/h cabinet get warm also. I have my Dish receiver in there along with DVD player and my Winegard satalite receiver. The Winegard gets the warmest. Now I let the Winegard find its signal and then push the power button turning it off. It works great off after it has located its signal, no need to be on.

Steve Kieffer · 01-29-2013, 04:24 AM

Temporarily remove one or more of the cabinets and insulate the front cap.

When we purchased our SIG I had the front cabinets replaced and added a TV. I was surprised to discover that Monaco did not insulate the front cap.

gregk · 01-29-2013, 07:18 AM

Solved my heat issue by simply leaving the door open. I would be surprised if this does not solve your issue as well. We sometimes suffer from the summer Texas heat also.

HD4Mark · 01-29-2013, 07:48 AM

We also stuffed some insulation up there but it needs more or a more tight set up. The electronics do contribute heat but the real difference is the sun on the front cap.

Hard to believe the manufacturers didn't insulate the front cap at the factory. Are any of the brand new models?

Has anyone considered the solar powered vents like used on boats?

MSHappyCampers · 01-29-2013, 08:24 AM

Just an added thought.....I think if you put a layer of Reflectix against the front cap. THEN pack the rest of the space with fiberglass insulation it will be much more effective. JMHO