Kitchen vent is locked unless freed

[Superdave]

It's always something as a newbie- but I've never seen this mentioned. On our trip to Houston this last weekend, we were walking around the trailer prior to leaving for home when the wife noticed that the vent to the Kitchen exhaust actually has two " dogs " that hold the vent shut. We're never understood why the vent didn't seem to work !! Ha

Apparently this vent can be locked down for winter or storage, but needs to be freed in order to function as a flapping door when used.

Okay, everybody go look at their vent now. See ya later !

[richfaa]

Rv'ing is a continual learning experience. Don't forget to dog those latches down when moving or you will be minus a vent cover. Put that on your departure check list.

[Superdave]

I would have never thought to relatch it- darnn thing is just too high to reach up and latch too. I'll have to get the wife to hoist me up !

[Bill-N-Donna]

My problem is that I forget to un-latch it or latch it sometimes. I’ve yet to lose the vent flapper.

[NCFischers]

Dave,
Sit on your wifes shoulders and you should be able to reach it. I use a screwdriver myself because Vickie was always whining about her shoulders aching when she lifted me up.

[footloose]

We use a back scratcher to lock/unlock. Works for us.
Dick and Sharon

[The Old Fogies]

A fly swatter also works good.

[Superdave]

fly swatter ? back scratcher? in Texas , they're the same thing !!

[Clyde n Deb]

That vent cover is fragile too. The little plastic legs that allow that flap to open and shut are very thin. I broke mine and had a hard time finding a proper replacement. First one I bought, when I moved the flap before mounting it, a peg broke on it. When I finally found a proper replacement, I bought two. Now have a spare. Have seen some without the 2 hold down latches as well. Think it depends on the vendor.

[Trailer Trash 2]

What I like most about the vent cover is in a good wind it will pop and bang so to solve that I stuck two of those felt cabinet door silencers close to the middle of the door so the locking dog will still lock the door for travel.

[jjackflash]

Just yesterday,my DW was using the stove top when the smoke alarm went off. We didn't notice any smoke,but I did realize I forgot to open the vent and once I did the alarm shut off.
Jack

[Waynem]

I really hate to say this, but I'm going to anyhow.

I will bet a buck if you do a search on Stove Vent you will find something on it. And the reason I know is because I posted one of my "smart" answers there.

[rapidrobert]

I modified mine so you can open it or close it from inside. Got the idea from a 10 minute tech a long time ago.

[CasaDelSol]

Rapidrobert would you share how to modify it from inside?

[rapidrobert]

If you can envision the old choke cable used on the old cars, it is basically the same type of setup. Instead of a cable I use a pull chain like used on light fixtures and run it thru a small plastic hose. I don't have an internet photo site but I could take and send pics to you on the internet. Let me know if you want them.

[footloose]

We'd like to see the pics. That sounds like a terrific modification.
Dick and Sharon

[washley1]

My big problem with that vent is once I discovered it and opened the dogs. We had a moderate rain storm that afternoon, and water POURED in and all down on the sink! Dogged it back down, left it that way ever since, and no more water. Shame I can't use that vent!

[rapidrobert]

footloose, I'll take the pics today or tomorrow and send them to you.

[rapidrobert]

This website has pictures and info on the installation to open flapper from inside.
http://picasaweb.google.com/11765874...ExhaustFanMod#

Bob Shoemaker

[footloose]

Bob, thanks for the pics. Unfortunately we have determined we can't do it because our fan is in our microwave/convection oven. We would have to take out the microwave to make the modification. We'll just keep using the back scratcher. Thanks again.
Dick and Sharon