Potentially dumb questions about fridge installation - Hi-Lo camper travel trailer forum

jjharris11 · 10-21-2020, 05:23 PM

Looking for the wisdom of this experienced group. I have some questions on how the airflow works on the back side of our refrigerators. Unfortunately, I don't have a good picture of this side of the camper with everything all together, but I think folks are familiar.

Here are my questions:
1. Why is the bottom side of the upper wall open behind the refrigerator, when there is a vent in the side of the upper wall? Isn't this redundant? With the top raised, the outer vent aligns with the exhaust at the top on the inner wall. And with the top lowered, the outer vent aligns with the inner vent. So, I'd think that even with the bottom of the upper wall sealed off, the fridge would get the same access to outside air. Seems like sealing the bottom of the wall off would reduce road splash up into the fridge when going down the road in the rain. But I'm sure there's a good reason for it to be the way it is.

2, When the top is down and the fridge is running on gas, doesn't that mean the exhaust is being exhausted into the inside of the camper? Is the assumption that this is OK because there is enough air leakage while driving and then opening the door and campsite setup that there isn't a concern?

Thanks in advance for any input!

JackandJanet · 10-21-2020, 05:37 PM

On my trailer, and I suspect on yours too, the two openings are there to provide proper airflow when the trailer is set up for camping with the top raised. Air comes in via the lower opening, flows upwards as heated air tends to do and as assisted by the fan at the top and goes out of the upper opening.

If you hold your hand near the upper opening, you might be able to feel the warm air being ejected there. The two openings are not there specifically to move combustion "exhaust" to the outside, but really to move heat to the outside. The flame from the propane heater is quite small and there's very little exhaust.

When the top is down, the air circulation around the heat ex-changer is reduced, and you are not supposed to power the refrigerator on propane in this configuration either. However, if you are traveling, and running the refrigerator on DC power, there is sufficient airflow to ventilate things due to the motion of the vehicles. If you are stopped, the manual warns that you should not run the refrigerator with the top down for more than one hour.

I hope this explains things.

- Jack