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Modern South · 02-12-2013, 04:10 AM

So we were planning to replace fridge with an electric and when we pulled out the old one...yuck! The vent has been leaking for some time. We are not going to need the vent because we are not using propane. Thoughts on the best way to stop the leak or seal it off? I would love to find the solution before hubby comes up with his own plan... By the way will an electric fridge work or will it drain the battery if we are boondocking?

ROBERT CROSS · 02-12-2013, 04:33 AM

....why all electric? Will you not be on the road?

The roof vent is not that difficult to replace check with Inland RV or Vintage Trlr Supply for parts. Replacing the vent or a patch is really the only option, inspect the roof carefully for other leaks....like this black tank on ours.

Bob

Lance M · 02-12-2013, 05:21 AM

If you plan on boondocking, I would rethink getting rid of the propane system. For cooking, heating, hot water and cooling the fridge, you would be hard pressed to match the versatility of propane. As for the vent, I would remove the vent cover, clean off any old sealant, seal the vent collar with polyurethane sealant and reinstall and seal the vent cover. Having the vent there will help cool the fridge compartment even with an electric fridge and should you decide to sell someday, the vent will still be there. If you want to remove the vent collar, it is fairly easy to do. Just drill out all the rivets holding it in, remove it carefully and cover the hole with a new patch of 2024-T3 .032
I assume you are talking of a Danfoss type fridge that operates on 120V AC and 12V DC. If so, it will drain the batteries when running on 12V eventually. It depends on how many amp hours of battery you have and the amp draw of the fridge and other 12V items. A good thing to have is a TriMetric battery monitor. Good luck with your project.

jdalrymple · 02-12-2013, 06:36 AM

I agree with those above. Propane is very handy and ready available on the road. Others on the forum have rebuilt trailers to use other fuels with success, but this is not the simplest of conversions.

You did not mention your replacement refer choice, so it is hard to offer advice.

Without a other additions and modifications, a home style refer powered by an inverter will run batteries down quite quickly.

Regards,

JD

Alumaholic · 02-12-2013, 08:46 AM

The vent is required whether you are using electricity or propane!
For cooling inside the refrigerator to take place, you must have a proportionate amount of air movement (through the vent system) outside the refrigerator. It doesn't just help with cooling, venting is essential for efficient refrigeration to occur.

The combination propane (for boondocking) electric (for RV parking) is the best refer ever designed for Airstreaming! Why replace it with anything else?

It's your Airstream, you can do what you want, but you may want to sell it someday.

AirstreamGypsy · 02-12-2013, 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alumaholic

The combination propane (for boondocking) electric (for RV parking) is the best refer ever designed for Airstreaming! Why replace it with anything else?

It's your Airstream, you can do what you want, but you may want to sell it someday.

Hi Modern South,

I agree. I actually have a three way and love it. I do a lot of boondocking and if I did not have the propane version of a refrigerator I would be very unhappy. They use hardly any propane. When I am hooked up to shore then I am very happy to have the electric. Only occasionally do I use the 12v so really that is not necessary.

You must come to the http://www.vintagetraileracademy

Above is the website for registering and lots of info. And here is the thread.

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f289...ly-101084.html

You can look up other years of the Vintage Restoration Rally to see what has been taught and learned over the years.

Yes I know it is a long way but one of the instructors comes every year from Georgia to demonstrate and teach the proper way to polish your Vintage Airstream

Splitrock · 02-12-2013, 04:56 PM

If the trailer would ever be sold, buyers like me would want the vent. I'd install a two or three way refrigerator for my (or other's) use. The cost savings allowed by an all electric travel trailer refrigerator, is small and one time. The disadvantage is huge and is long term. The two or three way refrigerator will work fine without the gas turned on or even installed.

Modern South · 02-12-2013, 05:36 PM

Thanks for all the advice. To clarify we were just planning use an electric fridge for now because we have one and the one the airstream came with was broken. We are still using propane for the other systems. I agree with your logic that we should keep the vent and will pass on the wisdom to hubby. We will just clean it out and give it a good scrubbing followed by some sealant. We are interested in still being able to boondock down at our farm but we may just have to go with the old cooler system until we are ready to get another fridge! Once again, thanks for your wisdom!

ROBERT CROSS · 02-12-2013, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Modern South

Thanks for all the advice. To clarify we were just planning use an electric fridge for now because we have one and the one the airstream came with was broken. We are still using propane for the other systems. I agree with your logic that we should keep the vent and will pass on the wisdom to hubby. We will just clean it out and give it a good scrubbing followed by some sealant. We are interested in still being able to boondock down at our farm but we may just have to go with the old cooler system until we are ready to get another fridge! Once again, thanks for your wisdom!

Take the old fridge out...re-install upside down, drive to CG, flip back in and try it. Worked on our 63 Safari........ for 7 years.

Bob

Alumaholic · 02-13-2013, 08:39 AM

What a thread, Splitrock! This may be the first time in Air Forums history, that someone took our advice! Thanks!
For more on the Robert Cross suggestion, check my thread from 2007 on "Burping the Fridge."
After purchasing a brand new Dometic for my '76 Sovereign '31, I "burped" the old fridge in my shop where I had lots of room to man-handle and record the inside temps in the freezer compartment and fridge.
It actually came back to life.
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f425...dge-33735.html
Results may vary.

Modern South · 02-13-2013, 10:48 AM

I thought he was joking about his old fridge coming back to life. I will try and burp our fridge the minute I get home!!! I will let you guys know if it works.

Modern South · 02-13-2013, 07:25 PM

I was excited to come home today and burp the fridge, however my better half never mentioned that he basically cut and destroyed the back during the removal. Oh well, I will leave the vent and go with the electric fridge for now and when it is in the budget by a new one. Thanks again!