How hot should refrigerator chimney get?

Question

I bought a 2000 model year motor home and found out that the fluid had leaked out of the cooling unit on the nor cold refrigerator.  I replaced the cooling unit and turned the fridge on using LP.  Since I don't have any experience with these things I was wondering how hot should the chimney be?  Mine feels pretty hot and seems like if the burner is going to run all night that the chimney will only get hotter.  I might shut it down and test it when I can monitor it longer.  Also, I don't know what a reasonable time is to tell if it's going to cool the fridge.

fishinghat · Answer

I don't recall the infrared readings from our chimney, but it was very warm to the touch, but too warm to hold my fingers to the coils.  Some manufacturers install fans at the top to exhaust the hot air out the top vent.  I installed five computer fans inside of the bottom vent using nylon ties to force cooling air in and up the stack.  I used computer fans because that's what I had (free) from old computers.  They are 12 volt and power was from the electrical supply to the frig.  I included a switch and only use the fans when the temperatures are above 70 or so.  The frig works much better with the fans on in warm weather.

pianotuna · Answer

Hi,It will take at least six and perhaps as much as twelve hours to cool down the fridge.

old-biscuit · Answer

Chimney can get pretty hot.OEM high temp trip is roughly 350*FNorcold recall high temp trip is around 700*FFridge will need 6-8 hrs. for cool down

flapbreaker · Answer

ok, thanks guys.

fla-gypsy · Answer

Most folks allow for at least overnight to cool the fridge. If the RV is not using air conditioning it may take longer in summer. My chimney is to hot to touch when it has been running on LP for a while.

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How hot should refrigerator chimney get?

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