Hello again all!Our camper has the typical (Although taller than previous I have owned) AC / LP RV fridge. However, our fridge is in a slide out. This summer we have done more traveling south than we ever have and I noticed 2 things. 1- the fans in the top of the 2 exterior vents (I guess it is exhaust fans??) can be awfully noisy and 2- it struggles to keep as cool as I would like. This is especially true at the beginning of our trip when we have more food in the fridge. It does perform a bit better on LP than electric, but when we have electric hookup I hate the idea of wasting propane. Anyway, I am curious if anyone has successfully improved the cooling capability. I am also curious if anyone has found equal or better exhaust fans that are quieter. They are often right above my head when I sit outside, and on a warm day they will run A LOT and get annoying.Thanks in advance!

Here is what I used in my roof exhaust. 4 fit perfectly. I can not hear them. They do not move a lot of air, but work in my application.

I got a reflective car window shade. Using velcro, I attach it outside on the wall where the fridge is located. I was surprised at the difference it makes on hot days.

First step is look at air flow from the lower area to upper, on the working side. Make sure there is no path except thru the fins, or the burner stack. Best if you have a baffle that slopes up from top of the vent opening to the fins, so air will flow up to replace the air that is heated by fins. Then go to top. You need to install baffle so the heated air from stack or fins can go no place except outside. And should all slope so there is no place for the air to pool. While you are at it, extra insulation between the cold part of fridge and outside wall will help.

Get the installation manual, often the builder didn't install the fridge correctly, mine wasn't. As said above, the path for air flow is critical on these side vent installations.

Don't stuff it with food. Use a small circulation fan inside. My Dometic is in a slide, no fans, and works great.During really hot weather I've seen folks remove the back cover and place a house fan blowing at the coils.

Fridge project for the fall | Good Sam Community

CavemanCharlie
Explorer III
Sep 22, 2021
Some RV fridges don't work very well not matter what you do. Others are much better. Maybe you just have one of the bad ones. I don't like to post brand names on this forum though.
2oldman
Explorer II
Sep 16, 2021
Don't stuff it with food. Use a small circulation fan inside. My Dometic is in a slide, no fans, and works great.

During really hot weather I've seen folks remove the back cover and place a house fan blowing at the coils.
Lynnmor
Explorer
Sep 16, 2021
Get the installation manual, often the builder didn't install the fridge correctly, mine wasn't. As said above, the path for air flow is critical on these side vent installations.
JRscooby
Explorer II
Sep 16, 2021
First step is look at air flow from the lower area to upper, on the working side. Make sure there is no path except thru the fins, or the burner stack. Best if you have a baffle that slopes up from top of the vent opening to the fins, so air will flow up to replace the air that is heated by fins.
Then go to top. You need to install baffle so the heated air from stack or fins can go no place except outside. And should all slope so there is no place for the air to pool. While you are at it, extra insulation between the cold part of fridge and outside wall will help.
toedtoes
Explorer III
Sep 16, 2021
I got a reflective car window shade. Using velcro, I attach it outside on the wall where the fridge is located. I was surprised at the difference it makes on hot days.
WNYBob
Explorer
Sep 16, 2021
Here is what I used in my roof exhaust. 4 fit perfectly. I can not hear them. They do not move a lot of air, but work in my application.

Forum Discussion

Fridge project for the fall

About RV Tips & Tricks

Related Content

Solar project thoughts.

new project

Remodel project

Fall Camping

Wing repair project