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Installed household fridge

Aesop1
Explorer
Explorer
Hey Guys, I replaced an old Norcold N821 that wasnt working anymore with this fridge I bought from home depot: http://www.homedepot.com/p/Magic-Chef-9-9-cu-ft-Top-Freezer-Refrigerator-in-White-HVDR1040W/205429596

Thing is: when i pulled the old fridge out, there is some fiberglass insulation in the enclosed space where the fridge was and the new magic chef fridge is now.

I noticed that the magic chef fridge says it is supposed to be a free standing installation only and that it gets rid of heat on the outside.

so my question is should i remove the fiberglass insulation surrounding the new fridge to help give it some room to "breathe"? or leave it in or at the very least install a fan in the back to circulate air flow in this harsh desert heat?

I can post pictures if it will help give you a vision. thank you in advance!
8 REPLIES 8

htwheelz67
Explorer
Explorer
For anyone else planning this upgrade I would recommend this 10.7 cu ft fridge, it has rear coils and can be used in non free standing apps.
I got mine on sale for 335.00 fits right where ny 8 cu ft dometic was.

Fridge oh did I mention it has an optional icemaker........I got that too.

BarneyS
Explorer III
Explorer III
It is very simple to put pictures into your post on these forums. To post photos do the following.

1. Upload your photo, one at a time, to this site.

2. Copy the resulting URL.

3. Paste the URL directly into your post with NO modifications. Do not add or subtract anything from the URL.

Your picture will then appear in your post and be properly sized for use on the forums. Do the same for each additional photo.

You just Upload, copy, and paste.
If you would like to practice doing that, just go to this thread that I started in the DIY forum to try out the app.
Barney
2004 Sunnybrook Titan 30FKS TT
Hensley "Arrow" 1400# hitch (Sold)
Not towing now.
Former tow vehicles were 2016 Ram 2500 CTD, 2002 Ford F250, 7.3 PSD, 1997 Ram 2500 5.9 gas engine

Dutch_12078
Explorer II
Explorer II
Go here and follow the directions to post photos on the forum. It's easy...

I covered most of the inside of the original vent cover with duct tape when I installed our residential fridge 3 years ago. My original thought was to remove the tape in warm weather, but after monitoring the heat buildup behind the fridge I found it wasn't necessary, so now it stays blocked year round. The roof vent seems to be enough ventilation.
Dutch
2001 GBM Landau 34' Class A
F53 chassis, Triton V10, TST TPMS
Bigfoot Automatic Leveling System
2011 Toyota RAV4 4WD/Remco pump
ReadyBrute Elite tow bar/Blue Ox baseplate

Aesop1
Explorer
Explorer
Okay guys, the residential fridge has worked out great so far.

Now my question is with winter approaching the bottom rear of the fridge (that has the pump and all the other stuff) is exposed to the changing temperature of the air but it does have a plastic back vent cover.

now my question is should i at least put some reflectix insulation on the inside of this white plastic fridge cover? to at least help better protect the bottom rear of the fridge. or just leave the bottom rear of the fridge with just the vented plastic fridge cover on for protection for the winter?

thanks in advance.

I wish i knew how to post pictures so that you could get a better mental picture.

TNGW1500SE
Explorer
Explorer
railtrailers wrote:
.......... Out of curiosity, I checked out the Magic Chef at Home Depot and the on-line installation instructions at Home Depot included the following caveat:

o In moving vehicle. This unit is not designed to be installed in an RV or used with an inverter. This unit is intended for household use only..........


I think that's a "CYA" statement. They ride in the back of semi trucks on the way to the store. You know they're bounced around in those trucks. I've had one in my MH for a long time with no issues.

The main concern is sealing the vents from bugs and getting air flow to the new unit. I replaced the outside side vent with a white hatch for a boat and then removed the cover on the roof vent and sealed that with great stuff foam. Mine vents inside now.

I installed a 12 CF. We have twice the room we had before and only lost one drawer.

The trick is to fill it days before leaving and then keep the door closed. The more stuff in there the better. I even put the canned goods (such as green beans) in it so I have more "mass" to retain the cold while on the road.

I monitor the temperature from the dash via a remote wireless thermometer and start the generator if temp get too high but 4 or 5 hours is ok without starting.

When my original "Nevercold" unit gave up, it was the best thing that ever happened. We have a real fridge now!

railtrailers
Explorer
Explorer
I am currently in the process of installing what appears to be this same refrigerator (I am using an Insignia product from Best Buy). Out of curiosity, I checked out the Magic Chef at Home Depot and the on-line installation instructions at Home Depot included the following caveat:

o In moving vehicle. This unit is not designed to be installed in an RV or used with an inverter. This unit is intended for household use only.

The Best Buy documentation did not include any such warning.
Well, I am proceeding with my installation and am going to be using an AIMS pure sine wave inverter with a built in transfer switch feeding a dedicated outlet for the refrigerator. We will see how it all works out.

dave17352
Explorer
Explorer
As much room as possible and fan is even better to move air. Insulation is not good at all.
NOW 2017 Leprechaun 260ds
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Crestliner 1850 Fish Ski boat mostly fishing now!

newman_fulltime
Explorer II
Explorer II
yes it uses its sides to get rod of the heat so give it plenty of circulation.And i have the same fridge but in black