rv fridge questions - norcold

[inthepines]

Did all rv fridges have insulation surrounding them?
I'm getting ready to install a custom fan vent in the back of the fridge and noticed there is none between the wall and the fridge. Not sure if there ever was any and it was removed or there wasn't any to begin with.



2nd part,
Instead of spending the money on a premade vent kit for the back of the fridge. I plan on doing it myself. I plan on using a snapdisc to control the fan(s) I'm not sure where the best place to mount the snapdisc to.
I was thinking about half way up on the absorber tubes.
Would this be a good place to get a decent temperature from?
Or what would be the best place?

[ChristoRV]

Originally Posted by inthepines

Did all rv fridges have insulation surrounding them?
I'm getting ready to install a custom fan vent in the back of the fridge and noticed there is none between the wall and the fridge. Not sure if there ever was any and it was removed or there wasn't any to begin with.

My '02 Winnie Adventurer has no insulation anywhere around my Norcold... HTH

[inthepines]

Originally Posted by ChristoRV

My '02 Winnie Adventurer has no insulation anywhere around my Norcold... HTH

It does thank you. I was watching some videos and one of them spoke about insulation surrounding these fridges and I was like huh, mine has none. is this
standard? so yes it helped a lot!

[Skip426]

Just about every model of Norcold I've worked on had fans and a sensor from the factory . What year , model # is your fridge .

Have you checked the fridge install against the instructions in the manual , almost all RV manufacturers have poor installation , baffles in particular , too much clearance to get a good draft over the coils .

[Unplanned Tourist]

I have no insulation behind our fridge (Norcold 1210 four door)

For controlling the fan, I have a "Fridge Defend" that senses the temperature and turns on the computer fan I installed.

Look into the Fridge Defend, I don't have any connection with them, but I'm a happy customer. And our fridge works great.

[Old-Biscuit]

Fridge cabinet should be a tight fit when fridge is installed
0" (ZERO) clearances on sidewalls, bottom
0" - 1" clearance on backwall
Top should be 0"

If sidewalls have 'pockets' then they should be filled with insulation
Too wide clearance between backwall and fridge should have baffles and preferably fans
Top should be sealed (no dead air space) and baffle/deflector used to direct air out top/upper vent

Fans work best PULLING air IN and then Pushing it out
OEM Fans are mounted mid center line above the absorber tube bundle and are Thermostat controlled ---t-stat attached to Condenser FIN and operate off FIN temps not ambient air temps
Typcial FIN Temp settings ---T-stat closes/starts fan(s) at 135*F FIN temp and open/stops fan(s) at 115*F FIN temp

Condenser is where the Hot Ammonia Vapor is cooled down into a Liquid
More heat removed from condenser the more Liquid Ammonia/more absorption capability

Absorber tube bundle is not good heat source for thermostat...bundle should be warm but is not the place for controlling fan(s)

Ambient air t-stat should turn fans on when air temp is above 85*F

[inthepines]

Originally Posted by Unplanned Tourist

I have no insulation behind our fridge (Norcold 1210 four door)

For controlling the fan, I have a "Fridge Defend" that senses the temperature and turns on the computer fan I installed.

Look into the Fridge Defend, I don't have any connection with them, but I'm a happy customer. And our fridge works great.

I was more concerned about the sides of the fridge, I know there isn't any behind them, they need that cavity to vent air thru.

I have looked at their system and I'm glad you're happy with it.
My system will be the same thing but at a substantially lower cost.
Their diagram shows their sensor on the bottom absorption tube.
I'm not sure if that is the best spot. Maybe it is, definitely an easy access spot; but can't hurt to ask for an ideal location. well sometimes it can .

[Unplanned Tourist]

It sounds like you are building a decent system, but I like the fact that the Fridge Defend shuts down the whole system if for some reason it overheats.

Old Biscuit is THE guy for info on these propane fridges, so use his info.

[inthepines]

Originally Posted by Unplanned Tourist

It sounds like you are building a decent system, but I like the fact that the Fridge Defend shuts down the whole system if for some reason it overheats.

Old Biscuit is THE guy for info on these propane fridges, so use his info.

well that is a good point, I appreciate you adding that because I really didn't take that into consideration.
I can add a 2nd snap disc (different temp rating of course) next to the fan one to accomplish that and don't believe it would be too complicated.

[inthepines]

Originally Posted by Skip426

Just about every model of Norcold I've worked on had fans and a sensor from the factory . What year , model # is your fridge .

Have you checked the fridge install against the instructions in the manual , almost all RV manufacturers have poor installation , baffles in particular , too much clearance to get a good draft over the coils .

I missed your post, sorry.
My trailer is a 96

My fridge is a 6162 norcold. Where would norcold stick these fans and sensors?

Looking around the fridge cavity I didn't see any past fan installs or anything like there was one at one point. I know some work was done on this trailer around the fridge area. While it still looks factory, it doesn't mean they were not removed for whatever reason by previous owners Looking at the parts diagram of this fridge I didn't see any fans or sensors to move air in the cavity either. But I may have overlooked it as well.

[NXR]

Originally Posted by inthepines

I missed your post, sorry.
My trailer is a 96

My fridge is a 6162 norcold. Where would norcold stick these fans and sensors?

Here is the installation manual that also covers the 6162. It addresses the use of insulation on page 7.

https://norcold.com/wp-content/uploa...83B_Edited.pdf

Ray

[Old-Biscuit]

Norcold 600/6000 Series Fridges did NOT come with OEM Fans

IF clearances/baffles/dead air space are properly addressed fans not needed
If installed in a slideout...fans are always an improvement

[inthepines]

Originally Posted by NXR

Here is the installation manual that also covers the 6162. It addresses the use of insulation on page 7.

https://norcold.com/wp-content/uploa...83B_Edited.pdf

Ray

perfect, need to do some measuring but without going back out and looking I believe there is plenty of room for some insulation on one side at least.

[Fridge Defend]

Originally Posted by inthepines

Did all rv fridges have insulation surrounding them?
I'm getting ready to install a custom fan vent in the back of the fridge and noticed there is none between the wall and the fridge. Not sure if there ever was any and it was removed or there wasn't any to begin with.



2nd part,
Instead of spending the money on a premade vent kit for the back of the fridge. I plan on doing it myself. I plan on using a snapdisc to control the fan(s) I'm not sure where the best place to mount the snapdisc to.
I was thinking about half way up on the absorber tubes.
Would this be a good place to get a decent temperature from?
Or what would be the best place?

First, your fridge will work much better to insulate it. We use house hold fiber glass without the backing. Shove it in all the gaps around the fridge. If you do not prevent the heat from the cooling unit from getting into these cracks, the fridge will not preform well. The top of the fridge is critical.

See our 'Fridge Troubleshooting' menu by clicking the link to our home page below, check out where we put our fan sensor. Snap disks are not very good for controlling the fans from where you suggested. Snap disks do not have the accuracy over the long run, that is unless you buy an industrial snap disk, but they cost too much.

Hope this helps!