the original fridge that came with our motor home did not work so I placed a residential unit in and am just now getting around to making a trim piece to go around it. I would like to screw it to the fridge box then slide the whole thing into the opening then fasten that to the cabinet. Any problem with driving sheet metal screws into the fridge right near to the front edge of the box? The screws would go into the box only 1/4"

Deano56 wrote:the original fridge that came with our motor home did not work so I placed a residential unit in and am just now getting around to making a trim piece to go around it. I would like to screw it to the fridge box then slide the whole thing into the opening then fasten that to the cabinet. Any problem with driving sheet metal screws into the fridge right near to the front edge of the box? The screws would go into the box only 1/4"Not quite sure I understand how your doing this, but if I understand correctly, you want to screw the trim pieces into the refrig box.I believe refrig boxes are sealed all around except for the door opening. I would be cautious about penetrating the sealed area even for only 1/4 inches.If you do screw into the box I would suggest using some good sealant that is made for refrigeration purposes ( not sure there is such a product) and drive the screws "wet" into the box along with sealing the trim pieces.Be careful.

this is on the outside of the fridge through the sheet metal, not clear into the inside box, just the sheet metal. The trim piece sits back behind the doors, then comes forward and wraps around the face frame on the cabinet box. I will take a pic and post it shortly

Deano56 wrote:this is on the outside of the fridge through the sheet metal, not clear into the inside box, just the sheet metal. The trim piece sits back behind the doors, then comes forward and wraps around the face frame on the cabinet box. I will take a pic and post it shortlyPic would be helpful. I'm having a problem with drilling into "just the sheet metal" part.Seems like you would be penetrating the sealed box - maybe not.

You need to check with the manufacture to find out if some of the cooling coils are run in the side walls. You do not want to drill into one of the tubes and kill the ref.

I don't know why going through the sheet metal outer box would be a bad idea unless the coils were rite behind the skin which I believe are in the back of the fridge. I am up loading pics now, hope it helps.

screwing into fridge | Good Sam Community

wildmanbaker
Explorer
Oct 02, 2013
Great work Deano, hope you enjoy the ref.
Deano56
Explorer
Oct 02, 2013
is there some trick I'm not seeing to open up my private messages? I went in to them and clicked on the sender and just went to his profile or page?
Deano56
Explorer
Oct 02, 2013
i think we could use a camera with a wide angle lens instead of our phones, have to put it on the list.
Deano56
Explorer
Oct 02, 2013
well its in and solid it is too, just have to go up thru the vent here shortly, thanks folks for the advice. That Loctite adhesive is a good product I believe.
John___Angela
Explorer
Oct 02, 2013
Deano56 wrote:
well no reply from Avanti out of Florida so I called, terrible customer service and no call back from the factory manager. Hardly could understand the one who answered the phone. I am going to bond it in place with loctite construction adhesive. Will have to go thru the fridge vent to fasten the top also. Should be good to go by Friday.

Fridge vent access will allow you to strap or bar it off from the top. You can also Jam it with a wedge so it wont tip. We have LOTS of miles on ours through all kinds of condition and its still there. Good luck with the project.
Deano56
Explorer
Oct 01, 2013
well no reply from Avanti out of Florida so I called, terrible customer service and no call back from the factory manager. Hardly could understand the one who answered the phone. I am going to bond it in place with loctite construction adhesive. Will have to go thru the fridge vent to fasten the top also. Should be good to go by Friday.
Deano56
Explorer
Oct 01, 2013
workhardplayharder wrote:
I sent you a PM. DO NOT DRILL OR SCREW THE FRIGE BOX. Several years back I tried to install a lock hasp on a frige. There is a refrigerant line that is on the warm side of the circuit that runs along the fron edge of the box to prevent ice build up. I did this at work. There are other refrigerators at the same location and other locations that had hasp installed without a problem but the one I installed destroyed the refrigerator.
show you sent a pm but no message
Deano56
Explorer
Oct 01, 2013
hey guys we'll wait to hear from the manufacturer, they know better than all of us
bdjrv
Explorer
Oct 01, 2013
Deano56

DO NOT DRILL INTO FRONT EDGE ! Most residential frigs have a warming line at front edge to reduce frosting. BAD BAD idea, cost me a new frig.
workhardplayha1
Explorer
Oct 01, 2013
I sent you a PM. DO NOT DRILL OR SCREW THE FRIGE BOX. Several years back I tried to install a lock hasp on a frige. There is a refrigerant line that is on the warm side of the circuit that runs along the fron edge of the box to prevent ice build up. I did this at work. There are other refrigerators at the same location and other locations that had hasp installed without a problem but the one I installed destroyed the refrigerator.

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