| Safety concern over fridge cabinet and LP fridge [message #170016] |
Thu, 17 May 2012 17:49  |
glacierfl
Messages: 444
Registered: June 2011
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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Hello,
It has come to my attention there is a possible safety problem.
On my coach the bottom of the cabinet that the fridge sits on is several inches below the outside vent. Being as LP gas is heavier than air, this means if you had a leak, it would build up in that space between the vent and the base of the fridge....
Not sure if this topic has been mentioned previously.
Solution is fit several drain holes into the wheel well. This would help the gas escape to the outside. This is a problem i sm looking into as i am rebuilding the fridge cabinet. I may alter the height of the fridge base so it is level with the bottom of the fridge vent. Otherwise drill some round holes and fit with pvc pipe, so it goes through into the wheel well. what are your thoughts on this potential safety issue ????
cheers and beers
Steve & Debbie
Monticello, FL
77 Palm Beach :- Aurora
EX G4WDT
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| Re: Safety concern over fridge cabinet and LP fridge [message #170026 is a reply to message #170016] |
Thu, 17 May 2012 18:34  |
roy1
Messages: 2126
Registered: July 2004
Location: Minden nevada
Karma: 6
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Senior Member |
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| glacierfl wrote on Thu, 17 May 2012 15:49 |
Hello,
It has come to my attention there is a possible safety problem.
On my coach the bottom of the cabinet that the fridge sits on is several inches below the outside vent. Being as LP gas is heavier than air, this means if you had a leak, it would build up in that space between the vent and the base of the fridge....
Not sure if this topic has been mentioned previously.
Solution is fit several drain holes into the wheel well. This would help the gas escape to the outside. This is a problem i sm looking into as i am rebuilding the fridge cabinet. I may alter the height of the fridge base so it is level with the bottom of the fridge vent. Otherwise drill some round holes and fit with pvc pipe, so it goes through into the wheel well. what are your thoughts on this potential safety issue ????
cheers and beers
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That is the proper way to vent it. Mine has 3 or 4 holes about 1"in diameter and 1/4" screen mesh to keep critters out. If your fridg. is all electric the holes aren't needed but propane needs holes.
Roy Keen
Minden,NV
76 X Glenbrook
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| Re: Safety concern over fridge cabinet and LP fridge [message #170047 is a reply to message #170026] |
Thu, 17 May 2012 20:53 |
glacierfl
Messages: 444
Registered: June 2011
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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Hello,
I thought i would mention this, as my 73 has a 3 way fridge and no holes to let out any leaking gas.... Likely i will drill holes as this is the easier option. Going to fit pvc piping, thats sealed both sides of the holes. This would stop any gas getting trapped between the shelf and the wheel liner, and posibly entering the coach through this exit point...
cheers and beers
Steve & Debbie
Monticello, FL
77 Palm Beach :- Aurora
EX G4WDT
[Updated on: Thu, 17 May 2012 20:54] Report message to a moderator |
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| Re: Safety concern over fridge cabinet and LP fridge [message #170068 is a reply to message #170016] |
Fri, 18 May 2012 06:20 |
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mike miller
Messages: 3576
Registered: February 2004
Location: Hillsboro, Oregon
Karma: 0
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| glacierfl wrote on Thu, 17 May 2012 15:49 |
Hello,
It has come to my attention there is a possible safety problem.
On my coach the bottom of the cabinet that the fridge sits on is several inches below the outside vent. Being as LP gas is heavier than air, this means if you had a leak, it would build up in that space between the vent and the base of the fridge....
Not sure if this topic has been mentioned previously.
Solution is fit several drain holes into the wheel well. This would help the gas escape to the outside. This is a problem i sm looking into as i am rebuilding the fridge cabinet. I may alter the height of the fridge base so it is level with the bottom of the fridge vent. Otherwise drill some round holes and fit with pvc pipe, so it goes through into the wheel well. what are your thoughts on this potential safety issue ????
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I have brought this up from time to time.
Both the Birch's had propane frigs when new, and the cabinets are designed for it. But my 1st coaches cabinet was designed for an electric frig and a PO had swapped it out for a 3 way.
I drilled a hole through the bottom into the wheel-well and put a plastic sink drain pipe. I used some expanding foam to seal it in place. The 90 angle turn is toward the corner of the wheel well to help keep the drain clear.
I also ensured the cabinet was sealed from the inside of the coach.... I do not want any propane or fumes to make it into the coach.
Mike Miller -- Hillsboro, OR -- on the Black list
(#2)`78 23' Birchaven Rear Bath -- (#3)`77 23' Birchaven Side Bath
More Sidekicks than GMC's and a late model Malibu called 'Boo'
http://m000035.blogspot.com
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| Re: [GMCnet] Safety concern over fridge cabinet and LP fridge [message #170074 is a reply to message #170016] |
Fri, 18 May 2012 06:55 |
Steven Ferguson
Messages: 3447
Registered: May 2006
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That is what I did to mine after switching to a propane fridge. I screened
the openings in the PVC to keep out bugs.
On Thu, May 17, 2012 at 3:49 PM, steve & debbie <zzdebz@yahoo.com> wrote:
>
>
> Hello,
>
> It has come to my attention there is a possible safety problem.
> On my coach the bottom of the cabinet that the fridge sits on is several
> inches below the outside vent. Being as LP gas is heavier than air, this
> means if you had a leak, it would build up in that space between the vent
> and the base of the fridge....
> Not sure if this topic has been mentioned previously.
> Solution is fit several drain holes into the wheel well. This would help
> the gas escape to the outside. This is a problem i sm looking into as i am
> rebuilding the fridge cabinet. I may alter the height of the fridge base so
> it is level with the bottom of the fridge vent. Otherwise drill some round
> holes and fit with pvc pipe, so it goes through into the wheel well. what
> are your thoughts on this potential safety issue ????
>
> cheers and beers
> --
> Steve & Debbie
> Monticello, FL
> 77 Palm Beach :- Aurora
> EX G4WDT
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>
--
Fathom the hypocrisy of a nation where every citizen must prove they have
health insurance......but not everyone has to prove they're a citizen.
Steve Ferguson
Sierra Vista, AZ
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| Re: [GMCnet] Safety concern over fridge cabinet and LP fridge [message #170091 is a reply to message #170081] |
Fri, 18 May 2012 09:00 |
tphipps
Messages: 3005
Registered: August 2004
Location: Spanish Fort, AL
Karma: 9
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In replacing my frig with the "recommended" Dometic "exact" replacement, this became a problem. Because the new frig has a different and bigger cooling coil on top, it interferes with the curving of the GMC outside wall. I will have to remove, re-build and re-install the frig.
Note: the RM replacement is not an exact fit. It is the 80% solution.
Bottom line; it's an adventure, not a livelihood.
Tom Phipps,
75 Avion, with new frig without any propane connection, yet.
2012 Phoenix Cruiser model 2552
KA4CSG
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| Re: [GMCnet] Safety concern over fridge cabinet and LP fridge [message #170097 is a reply to message #170091] |
Fri, 18 May 2012 09:49 |
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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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Tom,
Does your Avion have the little louvered disk on the outside at the bottom of the fridge enclosure?
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/random-photos/p44269-avion-fridge-compartment-lpg-vent.html
The fridge in Double Trouble is a double door fridge and whoever installed it moved it into the aisle about 3 inches. It wasn't
necessary to move it that far.
Regards,
Rob M.
-----Original Message-----
From: Thomas Phipps
In replacing my frig with the "recommended" Dometic "exact" replacement, this became a problem. Because the new frig has a
different and bigger cooling coil on top, it interferes with the curving of the GMC outside wall. I will have to remove, re-build
and re-install the frig.
Note: the RM replacement is not an exact fit. It is the 80% solution.
Bottom line; it's an adventure, not a livelihood.
Tom Phipps,
75 Avion, with new frig without any propane connection, yet.
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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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