| Remake of Refrigerator Cabinet [message #167327] |
Mon, 23 April 2012 18:33  |
glacierfl
Messages: 444
Registered: June 2011
Karma: 0
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Hello All,
Someone recently remade a refrigerator cabinet. We got what we think are the correct materials but need some input on how you remade the cabinet. We still have the old cabinet partially assembled. Seems that we cannot make an "exact" duplicate because the sizes of the wood are different - such as 1/2" plywood not being 1/2". Any tips on how to go about this is greatly appreciated. We are tackling a project totally out of our area of expertise.
Regards,
Steve & Debbie
Monticello, FL
77 Palm Beach :- Aurora
EX G4WDT
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| Re: Remake of Refrigerator Cabinet [message #167399 is a reply to message #167327] |
Tue, 24 April 2012 08:40  |
1275gtsport
Messages: 272
Registered: September 2009
Location: Rothesay NB
Karma: 0
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Steve While it is not me that is rebuilding the fridge Cabinet. I can offer a suggestion. there are 2 important measurements you will need from the old cabinet the outside dimension and the opening size. the opening is so that the fridge will fit back in and the outside is so that your not trying to insert a curved trim piece at the door.
I plan on using thin board (11/32) and 1x2 pine to rebuild my cabinet. I will build a frame to hold the thin board and the on the face by the fridge opening I will simply use and wider board "ripped" to the correct width to fill in what space is left.
so your thinner then 1/2 really should not matter. You can make an exact duplicate of the side with the switches and that may make the face by the fridge opening a little different so you will have to make a piece fit. IE: add a 1/4 inch or so.
clear as mud? I don't have any pictures to show you.
I have just started doing this to the closet module and will take pics of that to post on the photo site. it may help.
Adam Raeburn
Rothesay, NB
1976 Austin Mini
1977 GMC Palm Beach
---------------------------------------------------
Once you replace everything that is attached to something else. It will all be fixed.
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| Re: [GMCnet] Remake of Refrigerator Cabinet [message #167401 is a reply to message #167327] |
Tue, 24 April 2012 09:06 |
Richard Denney
Messages: 920
Registered: April 2010
Karma: 9
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On Mon, Apr 23, 2012 at 7:33 PM, steve & debbie <zzdebz@yahoo.com> wrote:
> Someone recently remade a refrigerator cabinet. We got what we think are
> the correct materials but need some input on how you remade the cabinet.
> We still have the old cabinet partially assembled. Seems that we cannot
> make an "exact" duplicate because the sizes of the wood are different -
> such as 1/2" plywood not being 1/2". Any tips on how to go about this is
> greatly appreciated. We are tackling a project totally out of our area of
> expertise.
>
If it is a propane-powered refer, then remember one important point: The
space behind the refrigerator must be sealed from the interior of the
coach, with a good vent at the highest point. Our (home-made by a PO)
cabinet did not provide an adequate seal, and we were getting a foul odor
and headaches after a couple of days of camping. We later realized that the
odor was carbon monoxide seeping into the interior. That was highly
dangerous and we were lucky. I have since installed a proper roof vent
(which wasn't there originally) and sealed the rear space of the cabinet
thoroughly. I also installed air-proof closed-cell foam weatherstripping
around the opening, so seal around the face flange of the refrigerator. The
odor problem was resolved, and no more headaches.
This is not an issue with compressor-style refrigerators which were used on
some coaches. It's only a problem with units that have a propane connection.
Refrigerators need no space at the sides, so you can build the cabinet to
fit the raw existing opening exactly. The back is where the heat exchange
takes place, and that's where you need ventilation.
Don't forget that refrigerators are heavy, and heavy things beat down on
their mountings in an RV. Make sure the bottom of the shelf is solidly
supported all the way to the floor, and preferable to a floor beam. Don't
use nails or depend on screws in tension. I had to learn that one, too,
when I noticed the cabinet pulling away from the ceiling. I ended up
installing a steel bar under one corner of the refrigerator cabinet that
was not supported all the way to the floor. There is much I've had to
re-engineer done by various previous owners (including me).
Rick "measure from the required opening" Denney
--
'73 230 "Jaws"
Northern Virginia
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| Re: Remake of Refrigerator Cabinet [message #167402 is a reply to message #167327] |
Tue, 24 April 2012 09:15 |
Dennis S
Messages: 3046
Registered: November 2005
Karma: 2
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| glacierfl wrote on Mon, 23 April 2012 18:33 |
Hello All,
Someone recently remade a refrigerator cabinet. We got what we think are the correct materials but need some input on how you remade the cabinet. We still have the old cabinet partially assembled. Seems that we cannot make an "exact" duplicate because the sizes of the wood are different - such as 1/2" plywood not being 1/2". Any tips on how to go about this is greatly appreciated. We are tackling a project totally out of our area of expertise.
Regards,
|
Wally has a photo album on refrig compartment repair....
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/g3840-reefer-cabinet-repair.html
Dennis
Dennis S
73 Painted Desert 230
Memphis TN Metro
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| Re: [GMCnet] Remake of Refrigerator Cabinet [message #167444 is a reply to message #167423] |
Tue, 24 April 2012 14:59 |
tphipps
Messages: 3005
Registered: August 2004
Location: Spanish Fort, AL
Karma: 9
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Senior Member |
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When replacing the dead Dometic frig in my Avion, with the Dometic claimed direct replacement, I found that Dometic had changed the design of the cooling coils at the top of the frig to a larger one, that is across their entire line of frigs. This larger coil hits (still) the metal side wall of the frig compartment, and causes the frig to not correctly fit. Once I get my coach back (it's on vacation in Fl), I have to remove the top cabinet, above the frig, cut new mounting frame (2" deep) and remove and remount the frig.
Direct replacement was/is a 80% solution, looking for owner input to seat properly. Runs on 110v, no gas connected now.
Tom P,
MS II
2012 Phoenix Cruiser model 2552
KA4CSG
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| Re: Remake of Refrigerator Cabinet [message #167456 is a reply to message #167327] |
Tue, 24 April 2012 17:02 |
Carl S.
Messages: 4186
Registered: January 2009
Location: Tucson, AZ.
Karma: 13
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Senior Member |
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I don't know if this will be at all helpful to your current endeavor, but this is what I did last summer when I replaced our original Norcold with a brand new one:
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/g5863-norcold-refrigerator-installation.html
It is important that you know the dimensions of the refrigerator you plan to put in the hole and, if it's a new one, it is essential to have the installation instructions as well.
Carl Stouffer
'75 ex Palm Beach
Tucson, AZ.
Chuck Aulgur Reaction Arm Disc Brakes, Quadrabags, 3.70 LSD final drive, Lenzi knuckles/hubs, Dodge Truck 16" X 8" front wheels, Rear American Eagles, Solar battery charging. GMCSJ and GMCMI member
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| Re: [GMCnet] Remake of Refrigerator Cabinet [message #167536 is a reply to message #167533] |
Wed, 25 April 2012 08:31 |
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USAussie
Messages: 15912
Registered: July 2007
Location: Sydney, Australia
Karma: 6
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Senior Member |
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Adam,
Hmm, looks like the new look changed the way photos are accessed, thanks!
If one fan is all you need and two is better then four is REALLY good!
No small birds but you have explained why whenever I walk past the fridge my
pony tail gets pulled towards the access panel!
To recover GST (sales tax on stuff I buy) here in Australia I have a company
called - you guessed it; "Overkill Engineering." ;-)
I liked the blue, I liked the orange, I like the B&W. Mainly I like the fact
that Bdub is willing to maintain the site!
Regards,
Rob M.
-----Original Message-----
From: 1275gtsport@gmail.com
Rob the link did not work.
try this
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/member-galleries/p43958-fridge-compartment
-fan-installation.html
and really just a bit overkill. with the volume of air the fans move you
really only need one. I installed 2 and can change the air behind the fridge
3 times a minute. so do you have small birds stuck to the side of the fridge
access panel?? :)
and also I liked the orange of the photo site :(
--
Adam
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Regards,
Rob M. (USAussie)
The Pedantic Mechanic
Sydney, Australia
'75 Avion - AUS - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
'75 Avion - USA - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
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