Upper Fridge vent blocked off...Why?

My old trailer had an upper side exhaust like yours, but no baffle.

When things got hot outside, a vent van would start up to improve air flow within the compartment.

If I removed the outer plastic vent molding/cover the fan would usually stop (unless it was really hot). Ended up doing that a lot when boon-docking.

I also was able to pack in more insulation around the frig, especially on top. And put in a curved piece of sheet Al to help direct the air flow to the vent and away from dead space on top.

I see mine has factory fan installed

YC 1 wrote:

Stars101 wrote:
The baffle should be enough on it's own and shouldn't require any fans.

So for anyone wanting to mod their fridge for better performance start with an easy baffle and see how it does. Then move on to fans if needed (really should be either one or the other).

The baffle is NOT enough in my fridge. In a slide out they do not get as much air flow. Mine has two fans.

From what I have read and experienced the baffle is usually enough for smaller refrigerators. But it is still a easy and cheap way to start diagnosing ways to improve an inefficient fridge. Just saying try the easy fix first and then go for the fans....

Hddecker..exactly....sold..then they are gone

buzter wrote:
Have asked a couple times...no reply..great customer service..But I don't think a vent is going to be a life or death event for my family. Yes unless u block it off completely..which is not what I'm asking..thks

Yep, the RV manufacturers a well known for their customer lack of service.

Some of the Suppliers are just as bad.

hddecker wrote:
Write a letter to the dealer and manufacturer asking for a response in writing, you could be playing with the life of yourself and your family.

:h

From an inefficiently vented fridge compartment?

Agree with the first part of your post though. Clearly the flowthrough needs to be 'tuned' and perhaps in some cases it was not tuned by the manufacturer, especially when tuning involves the installation of a simple plate of a certain size - a part that can easily be "forgotten" by the 'diligent' assemblers of RVs. ;)

Have asked a couple times...no reply..great customer service..But I don't think a vent is going to be a life or death event for my family. Yes unless u block it off completely..which is not what I'm asking..thks

If your a gearhead you know there is a reason the exhaust valve is smaller than the in take. But your question has serious repercussions and the last place I would look for a definitive answer is a forum such as this.

Write a letter to the dealer and manufacturer asking for a response in writing, you could be playing with the life of yourself and your family.

Thanks for all the great responses guys..there is another piece of tin at the top, it comes down vert. then curves to the top of the fridge..but I can see how a 45 degree piece would help push the air out the vent, might have to get a piece bent up and rivet it to the upper tin piece already there.

It is easy to see the reason for the metal. I did the same thing to my pop up.

First off, that is a terrible installation as refrigerators in slides usually are. The upper vent is nowhere near high enough.

The sheet metal is an attempt to correct the bad installation. Its intention is to prevent the air flow from exiting under the tube you see just above the metal. By partly blocking the opening the air flow will go higher past the tube.

The visible tube is where the ammonia vapor is condensed to liquid. More airflow equals more liquid. More liquid equals better cooling.