Dometic 2354 doubles as radiator?

[tphillips]

I had a new Dometic 2354 installed in my trailer and today tried using it in the gas mode for the first time. The refrigerator heated the side of the cabinet and the top of the countertop so much that the entire trailer was hot. Is this normal? Is there anything that can be done to alleviate this problem because if there's not, the gas mode is essentially useless for someone like me who lives in a hot climate.

[overlander63]

We had the same problem. I got a roll of the silvery-looking insulation stuff, like is used for car windshield sunshades, and installed it inside the wall, plus put some inside the pantry next to the fridge. It helped a lot, though the wall still gets warm. About 5 degrees or so warmer than the rest of the trailer.

[jdalrymple]

Welcome to the forums!

There are several threads on this problem. Some folks have installed small electric fans, like those used to cool electronic equipment, in the chimney area to pull the heat out. The construction of the chimney inside the cabinet and the rounded walls of and Airstream provide more surface area for the heated air to contact on it's way up and out.

Terry's fix above has also received good reviews.

Best Regards,

[ZoominC6]

Our '04 Dometic failed and we're having a new one installed by the good folks at Out Of Doors Mart. I'm told we won't have failure problems that the recall 'Band Aid' fix is meant to address. We're interested in this post regarding the heat build up however. Possibly our microwave cabinet to one side will help insulate any heat from the coach interior of our particular trailer. On pick up I'll ask the techs about the information supplied with this post and see if I can get a good handle on the problem. Has anyone with a newer Airstream that has replaced their frig had a heat build up problem? Thanks for posting this thread. We love our FORUMS.
HAPPY TRAILS

[HowieE]

Yes the heating of the surrounding cabinets by the ref. is common. This will happen on both gas and electric. It is a problem of very poor design. First off Airstream violates one of the principle installation requirements of ref. installation, providing a 1 in. rear wall offset. That offset is required to insure adequate ventilation through a natural chimney effect. In the absence of this natural chimney heat is not conveyed up and out but rather allowed to languish around and surround 4 sides of the ref. with heated air. The result Poor Operation.

After have one too many warm beers in mid summer I decided to make some changes. I remove the ref. and install a false wall behind it to provide the desired clearance and insulated the side wall of the cabinets. The insulation is designed to fit tightly against the ref. as it is slid into place thus preventing any heated air from coming in contact with the sides. Plastic sheeting is fitted over fiberglass insulation forming a pillow. The picture shows the sheet metal rear wall and one of the insulated sides. A sheet metal sweep, also in the picture, was also fitted above the ref. to keep heated air from surrounding the top of the freezer.

If you stop by now we can have a cold beer.

[ZoominC6]

A little early for the beer but we'll take a 'Rain Check' and take you up on the offer next time by. Thanks.