Date:         Sun, 22 Aug 2010 08:54:50 -0500
Reply-To:     mcneely4@COX.NET
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Dave Mcneely <mcneely4@COX.NET>
Subject:      Re: How Hot Behind Dometic Fridge On 100+F Day? (insulation
              clearances)
Comments: To: neil n <musomuso@GMAIL.COM>
In-Reply-To:  <AANLkTi=Xu530C_sNjgHJNEeDrrW8D9D7-f_2=5fVOdi3@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8

Neil, first a query:  Will the reduced clearance offset the advantage of the insulation?  I have the Dometic installation manual.  I f you don't have it, let me know, and I'll find it and look up required clearances.  I suspect the factory installation is close to the specification.  Actually, I just remembered that I originally got it from a Google query, so it is available.

I have not measured the temperature in that space.  However, when the outside temperature was over 105 F (reached 107 F that day) last week, and my van was in the sun, the refrigerator fan was running.  Someone else on here said it kicks on at 145 F.  If that is so, it was at least that hot.  The driver's side of my van was broadside to the sun.

Why not use fiberglass bat, unfaced or with no vapor barrier anyway?  No problem there with either heat damaging the material (or worse, causing toxic outgassing), or with water vapor retention.  Dave

---- neil n <musomuso@GMAIL.COM> wrote:
> Hi all.
>
> Searching but to no avail.
>
> If anyone has a quick answer, it would be much appreciated.
>
> What's heats have people measured behind the Dometic 182 on a really
> hot day. Say over 100F.
>
> I'm installing 1" rigid board insulation to 2" thick. On average,
> there's now 1" between fridge cooling fins and the Dow Styrospan. This
> stuff is rated to 165F. I found a caution in Dow's knowledge base
> saying the foam starts to expand when heated beyond 165F, but I'm
> being overly cautious here as I need to be sure this stuff won't be a
> fire hazard.
>
> If I have to, I'll add a layer of 1/2" cement board between back of
> fridge and insulation, but that will reduce clearance at rear and I'll
> have to find a way to secure it. (heavy)
>
> Thanks,
>
> Neil.
>
> --
> Neil Nicholson '81 VanaJetta 2.0 "Jaco"
>
> http://tubaneil.googlepages.com/
>
> http://groups.google.com/group/vanagons-with-vw-inline-4-cylinder-gas-engines

--
David McNeely