2022 23' FC roof vent behind electric fridge .. seal it up?

[Zeratul]

We're trying to get better performance out of our Refrigerator. It doesn't perform well on hot days (90+).


Above the refrigerator is a tiny compartment (for skinny bottles or spices I presume), with a thin laminated backing that I easily removed to take a look behind. That's where I noticed the roof vent, and it got me wondering if I can get better efficiency.


First, the theory is the roof vent is mainly a remnant of propane refrigerators, as I think this was the year Airstream was making the switch?


From there, the thought would be to seal up the roof vent from the inside including some insulation, and then allow the air behind the refrigerator to recirculate back into the trailer, perhaps through that same upper compartment or a new hole, aided by a fan. In my mind, that will help the fridge and the overall trailer stay cooler by not losing conditioned air through that exterior vent.


Thoughts? Or should I first try just adding a fan behind the fridge first to increase airflow a bit?


Thank you!


(First post, hopefully the attachments come through)

[CharlesinGA]

So, am I to understand that you have a compressor type fridge, and NOT an absorption fridge? and that was the way it was set up from the factory?

Charles

[CBWELL]

If that vent is directly connected to the fridge opening, and hot air is rising, then a fan at the lower part of the fridge, helping to push the hot air upwards and out the vent would be the most sensible thing to do. The fridge works hardest on hot days, and pushing that hot air into the trailer will only cause the A/C to work harder! Hot air rises, just like a hot air balloon! The fan should have a temperature switch so it only runs when needed.

[Rich Jenkins]

Originally Posted by CharlesinGA

So, am I to understand that you have a compressor type fridge, and NOT an absorption fridge? and that was the way it was set up from the factory?

Charles

Our '22 GT 23 had a compressor fridge, now I think about it.

[Rich Jenkins]

Compressor or absorbtion, not sure sealing off the fridge and venting the air into the trailer is such a good idea.

Might try locating a small USB or 12V powered fan in a convenient spot as an experiment to see if removing air helps the fridge. Something like an AC Finity or similar. Otherwise there are RV specific cooling fans which you can wire up. I put one in my 2019 FC last year, it works well, but I have an absorbtion fridge and it does get hot otherwise.

[nelsonh]

I have the same setup and have had the same question. I'd love to gain the additional storage space up there, but I can't quite figure how necessary that (rather large) vent opening actually is for proper performance of the 12v refrigerator. It sure appears to be a remnant of the LP powered refrigerator days and thus excessive or possibly even unnecessary for these new refrigerators. But at the same time, I would guess that if it actually WAS unnecessary, Airstream would have eliminated it from the production process since making the trailer without this vent would certainly be a cost savings.

We've only had one season with our trailer thus far, but we've had no issues with the refrigerator & freezer maintaining the proper temps, even without turning the temp dial to its "max cold" setting. We've had one 4-day outing last summer when it was "Iowa Hot" (90°+) and the refrigerator did it's job just fine.

So while I'm eager to get the additional kitchen storage, I'm equally not eager to possibly jeopardize the refrigerator's performance. Things that make you go "Hmmmmm...."