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2bkidfree · 06-29-2009, 06:22 PM

I was cleaning out my fridge fins and also the exhaust tube and the wire I was using got caught on something. After a lot of work it came out but it brought something with it. I'm not sure what it does but it looks like it would be used to make the exaust gases twist as they go up the stack. I'm not sure if I could put it back without taking out the fridge.

Attached is a picture of it. The wire shown with it was attached to it in the pipe. The twisted part was near the flame. Probably within a 6 inches of it.

What if any issues are there in leaving it out?

Thanks

Gilbert

Sugarfoot · 06-29-2009, 06:28 PM

It looks like some homemade gadget. What is the twisty part made from?

easyride · 06-29-2009, 06:35 PM

It`s definately not home made,it goes back in the exhaust tube above the burner,it slows down and swirls the heat for better heat exchange.Put it back,if you want your fridge to work right.Dave

2bkidfree · 06-29-2009, 06:35 PM

It's 1/2" wide, 6" long and about .020" thick. Here's a closer picture.

Thanks

2bkidfree · 06-29-2009, 06:38 PM

Any ideas on how to get it back in? Can I disconnect the pipe from the burner and try to put it in from the bottom?

flyfshr · 06-29-2009, 06:45 PM

It should go right back in just like it came out. If it gets stuck, try rotating it slowly. It needs to be in place for the fridge to distribute the exhaust heat properly.

Brad
FF

Sugarfoot · 06-29-2009, 06:47 PM

OK, now I have a question. Do I have one of those things hanging down my refer exhaust? I've never looked.

easyride · 06-29-2009, 06:48 PM

The whole burner assembly is right below the tube,that would have to be removed,which isn`t that easy,also the little bend on the top of the difuser needs to hook on top of the tube to have the difuser the correct height above the burner.??? Pull the fridge.Dave

easyride · 06-29-2009, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sugarfoot

OK, now I have a question. Do I have one of those things hanging down my refer exhaust? I've never looked.

If you have a Dometic ,yes,that`s the only brand I have torn apart.Dave

flyfshr · 06-29-2009, 06:54 PM

SugarFoot ~

My Dometic isn't original to the TradeWind so I'm not sure if you have one or not but I'll bet yours is similar.

Brad
FF

2bkidfree · 06-29-2009, 06:57 PM

How it came out was not pretty. Lets just say it was one of those:

1. It's getting dark.
2. I've been working on it for hours.
3. Either it's coming out or something is going to break.

If I can't get it back in and the fridge doesn't work the wife is going to believe that I planned it because I've been talking about getting a new fridge for awhile.

Of course I wouldn't do that!! See "new riding mower, compound miter saw, etc."

Sugarfoot · 06-29-2009, 07:11 PM

I learn something everyday. My refer is the original 1960, and based on 2b's experience, I'm not going looking for that little device.

2b, I hope all works out well.

flyfshr · 06-29-2009, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sugarfoot

I learn something everyday. My refer is the original 1960, and based on 2b's experience, I'm not going looking for that little device.

If your fridge is working fine, why would you?

Brad
FF

2bkidfree · 06-29-2009, 08:00 PM

It was one of those snowball effects. While up on the trailer I noticed that the fridge vent cover was broken so I ordered a new one from Vintage Trailer Supply.

The fridge never worked really well. It made what I would call soft ice.

After removing the old cover I was looking up from the bottom saw that there was a ton of leaves and junk along with a hornets nest in the cooling fins. I was cleaning them out thinking that this would improve the performance and decided to clean out the exhaust while I was at it and the rest is history.

Gilbert

grtwhthuntr · 06-30-2009, 07:50 AM

The leaves and the hrnets nest is what determined the performance of the fridge. The twisty thingy ( the name just will not come to me) is important to the operation and needs to be reinstalled the same way it came out. as was said before if it is stubborn, twist it and it should slide right back into place.

Good luck

overlander63 · 06-30-2009, 08:29 AM

The twisty thing helps the draft in the burner tube, and will let the fridge be a little cooler. It has the handle on it so it can be removed to clean spider/mud dauber nests from the flue.

2bkidfree · 06-30-2009, 08:43 PM

So, any ideas on how to put it back in the tube without pulling the fridge? Attached is a rough sketch of the exhaust piping. Just above the burner there is a metal pipe that goes into an insulated aluminum box. This whole assembly is about 27". A second tube that is 36" long connects to this. At the base of the second tube are 4 vent holes and a phillips screw. Please note that I can't see most of this, but I can feel it.

I was thinking of trying to take out the phillips screw, moving the top vent and trying to insert the "thingy". I can hook it to one of the vent holes.

At this point I don't want to make things worse, so if this is a bad idea let me know.

Thanks for all the help. Learn something new every day.

Gilbert

easyride · 07-01-2009, 08:47 AM

If you can lift the top vent pipe out of the way, then somehow get the difuser to go back in ,just hook the wire over the bottom pipe,then reinstall the top pipe.Good luck!!
Dave

mimiandrews · 07-01-2009, 12:22 PM

Check out rvmobile.com for a beautifully detailed description of how your fridge works. They say that baffle is a necessity, and that it has to hang at just the right height.

2bkidfree · 07-01-2009, 05:01 PM

Mimiandrews, Thanks for the site. It was very very helpful.

So, it's called a Baffle and it has to be at the correct height. I guess I know what I'm doing this weekend.

I'm going to try Easyride's idea and just see if I can move the upper pipe over. Hopefully the baffle is self centering.

Thanks to everyone for all the help. I'll let you know what I come up with.

Gilbert