Refrigerator vent cover up

[knightrider]

We changed out our gas/ electric refrigerator to 12 v. During one of the hurricane rain storms, water was pouring in RV behind microwave/ refrigerator area.
I’m not sure if it was through the upper frig vent or slide seal.
Since we changed 12v do we still need the upper vent or should we close the hole up?

[432bartman]

I'm going through this same upgrade. From everything I've read, both vents get sealed up. Did you end up going with an inverter and everything else so you can operate the fridge while on the road?

[rickbecker]

I just swapped out my gas Norcold for 12 volt from JC Refrigeration. According to them you can seal up the old vents. To not do so leaves your rig inside open to the out side and vulnerable to hot, cold and bugs!

[scottz]

If you seal up the lower vent, how are you going to access the compressors, wiring, etc of the JC unit?

I think the upper vent could be closed up, but I have not done so. I'm not sure how to do it, perhaps something on the back of the existing covers which would have to remain in place to cover the openings.

[rickbecker]

Originally Posted by scottz

If you seal up the lower vent, how are you going to access the compressors, wiring, etc of the JC unit?

I think the upper vent could be closed up, but I have not done so. I'm not sure how to do it, perhaps something on the back of the existing covers which would have to remain in place to cover the openings.

While the old refrigerator was out, I used 1 inch thick rigid foam insulating board and fitted it from just above the bottom vent to the top of the compartment such that it covered the top vent. I taped it in using aluminum tape around the edges. This left the bottom vent open to wire the frig after the unit was mounted back in hole. I also cut another piece of foam board just bigger than the bottom vent opening such that I could get back through the hole after I was done working in the compartment. I also used safety wire to make a U clamp. It poked from the back side out to the front such that I could hold the foam board in place while I taped the edges with aluminum tape. I put the vent cover back on while fishing the U clamp wires through the covers vent holes and then twist tied them on the outside of the vent cover. I tucked it in such that you can barely see it from the outside. If I ever need to, it can be undone quite easily for access to the frig back.

[scottz]

Originally Posted by rickbecker

To not do so leaves your rig inside open to the out side and vulnerable to hot, cold and bugs!

How is your new set up any different than with the OEM refer?

I'm having trouble seeing the problem. In the last seven years (six with Norcold, one with JC unit) I have never had a problem with water or anything else (except a little dust) getting inside. However, my Montana has never been through a hurricane like the OP described.

[rickbecker]

The OEM Norcold was sealed around the front and had fiberglass insulation on the sides and top that would stop air flow and bugs. The JC unit install removes this fiber glass and has an air gap around the sides, top and bottom allowing air flow from inside RV for cooling. The cooling part of the refrig is in the sides and requires air flow but nothing like the Norcold with exposed fins at the back.

[scottz]

Originally Posted by rickbecker

The OEM Norcold was sealed around the front and had fiberglass insulation on the sides and top that would stop air flow and bugs. The JC unit install removes this fiber glass and has an air gap around the sides, top and bottom allowing air flow from inside RV for cooling. The cooling part of the refrig is in the sides and requires air flow but nothing like the Norcold with exposed fins at the back.

We must have different units. I used the original Norcold cabinet and did not remove any insulation on the sides. My new cooling unit is entirely on the back, just like the Norcold cooling unit I removed; nothing on sides. My before/after installation is exactly the same except for a different cooling unit on the back (facing the outside vents).

The first photo shows the Norcold cooling unit, second shows the JC Refrigeration cooling unit, third photo is the final install looking through the lower vent; you can see insulation on the side. The fourth photo shows the cabinet before I put the refer back in place.

For this retrofit, JC Refrigeration recommends leaving the vents open; the JC unit also needs airflow.

[rickbecker]

You are absolutely right! My change was a full replacement of the Norcold with a Dutch Aire 2310 12 v. My apologies for not being clear or any confusion I caused.

[Route66Rambler]

We replaced the Dometic LP/electric fridge with a Norcold 12V compressor fridge. According the installation manual the fridge needs airflow from the bottom up the back out the top. In order for this to happen both of the original outside vents needed to be sealed. We used the old wood from the old fridge install to cover the inside of the vents then sealed with a couple coats of black paint to match the vents. Reinstalled the vent covers and ran a bead of silicone around the edges of the vent. No water has gotten yet. Also make sure the bottom of the fridge is open so that air can flow in and there is an air gap at the top. Otherwise it will over heat. Also you need make absolute sure the correct size of wiring is used or you will destroy the fridge.

[432bartman]

Just finished up swapping out my Norcold 2118, in our 2019 Montana 3560RL. I covered the upper and lower vents with 1/2" foam board and used waterproof Gorilla tape to seal it all up. To access the lower vent opening, I then cut 3 sides of the foam board as an access panel to gain access to the fridge plug. Once done, I just sealed those 3 cuts with more tape.

[scottz]

Originally Posted by rickbecker

You are absolutely right! My change was a full replacement of the Norcold with a Dutch Aire 2310 12 v. My apologies for not being clear or any confusion I caused.

No problem, my fault for the assumption.

Just to be clear for those that have retrofitted their existing Norcold 2118 with a JC Refrigeration compressor kit; they do not recommend covering the vents. This is page 41 of the installation manual.