Community Forums

TriMoot · 09-01-2020, 03:11 PM

Well, as some of you might have seen we removed our failed 23-year-old Dometic Elite absorption fridge and we are now in the process of installing a small residential fridge. This is a Band-Aid fix since we are selling the RV and buying a diesel pusher to prepare for our retirement in December.

I would love to have some ideas on how best to prepare the old location for the new fridge as there will be six or seven extra inches on the side that perhaps we could put in a pantry. Here are some pictures and questions:

1. What should we do with the old opening as far as keeping out the elements but still wanting access in case we need to service the new fridge in the future?

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2. Is there anything special we should do with the opening at the top. I’ve already put in heavy duty screening as well as regular screen to keep small bugs and bigger critters out. Should I think about installing fans does a new residential fridge even need that?

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3. Should I leave in the insulation and just cover it with a thin piece of wood? I guess the bigger question is what sort of prep do I need to do on the inside of this area?
Attachment 1

4. The opening is 33 1/2 wide by 59 1/2 tall by 26D. The new fridge is 23 3/4 wide by 58 3/4 tall by 26 deep. So basically I have 10 inches width wise to perhaps put in some sort of pull out pantry. Is that something you can buy or how difficult do you think it would be to make?

Thanks in advance for all your help. And if there has already been a post about installing a magic chef 10.1 ft.³ refrigerator please Drop a link here so I don’t re-create the wheel.

happy2rv · 09-01-2020, 06:30 PM

If it were me, I would probably just frame out trim around the new refrigerator. Rip down 1x6 on each side and stain to match. If I were keeping it and would get the utility out of it, I might consider building out a pantry, but I don't think it will make a lot of difference in selling and would be a lot of extra work unless you just really enjoy that sort of thing.

I don't think the insulation buys you anything. You could remove it or put a sheet of luan over it.

The new residential refrigerator should be designed to draw and vent from the front, so I'm not sure there's any benefit to having the existing vents open. I'd be tempted to cover them with foam insulation board, keeping the covers removable for access.
I'm no expert though. I would read the owner's manual for advice regarding side and rear clearances. Are you going to install an inverter? If so, where. There may be an advantage to having the vents if the inverter is in that space.

TriMoot · 09-02-2020, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by happy2rv

If it were me, I would probably just frame out trim around the new refrigerator. Rip down 1x6 on each side and stain to match. If I were keeping it and would get the utility out of it, I might consider building out a pantry, but I don't think it will make a lot of difference in selling and would be a lot of extra work unless you just really enjoy that sort of thing.

I don't think the insulation buys you anything. You could remove it or put a sheet of luan over it.

The new residential refrigerator should be designed to draw and vent from the front, so I'm not sure there's any benefit to having the existing vents open. I'd be tempted to cover them with foam insulation board, keeping the covers removable for access.
I'm no expert though. I would read the owner's manual for advice regarding side and rear clearances. Are you going to install an inverter? If so, where. There may be an advantage to having the vents if the inverter is in that space.

Yeah, I think you might be right, KISS. (Just in case no knows what that means..Keep it simple, uhm, silly?)

Ya we have a lot on our plate this month and we need to leave Spokane by October 1 so I think just getting it done is a smart idea.

Thanks!

woodflycamp · 09-02-2020, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TriMoot

4. The opening is 33 1/2 wide by 59 1/2 tall by 26D. The new fridge is 23 3/4 wide by 58 3/4 tall by 26 deep. So basically I have 10 inches width wise to perhaps put in some sort of pull out pantry. Is that something you can buy or how difficult do you think it would be to make?

Thanks in advance for all your help. And if there has already been a post about installing a magic chef 10.1 ft.³ refrigerator please Drop a link here so I don’t re-create the wheel.

So can you please provide more information, price, where purchased and specs on the Magic Chef residential frig you are going to install?

Thanks

TriMoot · 09-02-2020, 04:30 PM

Hey quick question, do you think there’s any interest for some of the parts I’ve taken off the cooling unit as well as doors? I was about to take it all to the dump but then I was thinking perhaps some folks here might need miscellaneous pieces from 1997 Dometic elite refridgerator.

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How about any of the electrical parts?

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arcaguy · 09-02-2020, 05:33 PM

I might give the narrow panel to the new owner of your unit. I might make a nice front for the pantry I don't think you should make given your time constraints. Just an idea. If you were going to keep the coach I would definitely put in a pantry. If might also put that narrow panel from the fridge as the front of the space you are going to create. I assume it matches the rest of the interior.

Bigd9 · 09-02-2020, 07:17 PM

I used styrofoam insulation to seal the two exterior side vents on my coach which are still removable. I saved the wood from the refrigerator doors which were a perfect match for the wood in my coach and I made new cabinet doors with it for a few storage areas I created from wasted space.

Bolt the refrigerator down, and use a door lock to keep contents from spilling out. I use QDOS lock.
https://www.amazon.com/QDOS-ADHESIVE...077N9VL61?th=1

TriMoot · 09-02-2020, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bigd9

I used styrofoam insulation to seal the two exterior side vents on my coach which are still removable. I saved the wood from the refrigerator doors which were a perfect match for the wood in my coach and I made new cabinet doors with it for a few storage areas I created from wasted space.

Bolt the refrigerator down, and use a door lock to keep contents from spilling out. I use QDOS lock.

https://www.amazon.com/QDOS-ADHESIVE...077N9VL61?th=1

Perfect ideas!! And the lock, just what I needed! Thank you!

TriMoot · 09-02-2020, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by arcaguy

I might give the narrow panel to the new owner of your unit. I might make a nice front for the pantry I don't think you should make given your time constraints. Just an idea. If you were going to keep the coach I would definitely put in a pantry. If might also put that narrow panel from the fridge as the front of the space you are going to create. I assume it matches the rest of the interior.

Great ideas! Glad I didn’t take them to the dump.

TriMoot · 10-01-2020, 07:40 PM

Actually I used the narrow panel for a door on the pantry I installed.

Ray,IN · 10-01-2020, 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TriMoot

Hey quick question, do you think there’s any interest for some of the parts I’ve taken off the cooling unit as well as doors? I was about to take it all to the dump but then I was thinking perhaps some folks here might need miscellaneous pieces from 1997 Dometic elite refridgerator.

Attachment 299599 Attachment 299600 Attachment 299601 Attachment 299602

How about any of the electrical parts?
Attachment 299603

ebay.

deandec · 10-07-2020, 02:23 PM

Those door handles might be valuable.

They do not fit my Dometic, but I paid nearly $100 for each at an RV Appliance center just before they quit making them @10 years ago.

I am not able to find my handles anywhere.

TriMoot · 10-08-2020, 10:45 AM

Unfortunately I had to deep six everything since we’re on the road.

garyb1st · 10-08-2020, 11:34 AM

When our old Dometic died, I replaced it with a 12V unit. Way too expensive if you're planning on selling your Rexhall. Not sure how much different my 13 cu ft fridge is from a residential and the manufacturer wasn't very clear on ventilation since their products are primarily used in off-grid residences, not motorhomes. With that said, in my case, I screened off any openings to keep the critters out and haven't had any issues since. With respects to ventilation, I rigged a sliding closure above the fridge which I can open if the ambient temps are on the warm side and keep closed when it's cold. On the outside vent, in addition to screening, I've cut plywood that I can secure in place which will reduce the amount of heat loss or cold coming into the motorhome. So far during the past year it has worked well.

Added a roll out pantry on the side which is about 5 inches wide and almost 4 feet high. The wife loves it. If you do that, do it before the new fridge is in place. Make sure it works properly when loaded with canned goods etc.