Community Forums

Greg5OH · 10-17-2019, 06:38 AM

Rebuilding the fridge compartment. Should I put fiberglass batt insulation around the perimeter near the front of the fridge to seal off the intake/exhausts vents from the rest of the house?
I know to keep it well away from the rear of the fridge..

jacwjames · 10-17-2019, 06:55 AM

I just removed my Norcold and replaced with a Samsung.

The Norcold install did have a thin layer of insulating material on either side but I doubt it did much. It did have a tight fitting trim around the front that essentially sealed the refrigerator into the opening.

Other then being able to keep the fiberglass batt insulation in place while putting the Norcold in place I don't see a problem with putting some toward the front to help weatherproof the coach.

Persistent · 10-17-2019, 07:15 AM

I did seal an under counter refer once. It made a major difference. Sealing against air flow around it is one thing. Insulating the cabinet dividers exposed to frigid outside air is another.
I used compressible foam inside a plastic bag on three sides. That stopped air infiltration and stopped condensation on the cabinet divider panels.
It is of course a good idea to keep the insulation away from flames and hot parts near the back and Norcolds have a sketchy reputation for fire. If I were to do it again, I would put aluminum sheet at the back of the insulation to reduce fire hazard. Roles of aluminum roof flashing are easily available and easily formable.
I am considering it for my new TT.

charliez · 10-17-2019, 09:51 AM

I sealed around mine. I first added the regular batt type insulation but switched to the foam board with a silver coating. The batt stuff won't stay in place. With it running I could see light from the inside so that alone tells me there a major air leak. I lined the complete opening with the insulation board, then I carefully cut pieces and separated the hot back side from the rest. I used a good foil tape to seal all the corners. Then I added a 12 volt fan to make sure the air is flowing. I put it on a lighted switch that makes a great night light. Fridge performance has been very greatly increased. I will do this on any new rv I get, if I get another.

Greg5OH · 10-18-2019, 08:15 AM

Thanks, I was hoping to use the ridig board I had laying aorund. It was .5" too wide. So I used the ridige stuff on the burner side, and the regular bat stuff on the other side. Ontop I did a layer of bat and a layer or ridig, this took up the 4.5" upper gap.
I trimmed all of it to be 6" away from the back edge of the fridge, so approx 8" away from the burner flue.
Plenty of access in the back there from the exterior access panel to install fans still.

Main thing is I didnt want any airflow around the fridge.
I did dforget to caulk the one backside of the wall that is adjascent to the bathroom..so Ill have to pull the fridge out again to do so.