RV Refregerators

[luvrbus]

John, I like the small ice box locks Rockler sells they cost around 12 bucks each for brass and can be mounted in different arrangements but they have a big assortment of locks that will work 



good luck

[BG6]

What kind of latch should we use? We have a regular style fridge, not RV.

I got some Velcro and stuck the hook side on the side and the door.  When it's time to go, I just take the fur side and stick it across them.  Velcro's greatest strength is in "shear," when the pulling force is along the strip instead of away from it, so you only need a couple of inches (on the door, I go around the corner for a double-shear).

[John316]

Thanks Clifford. Good idea. We will order some next Rockler order.

BG6, interesting idea. We might try it, on our temporary fridge that we have in there right now.

God bless,

John

[jjrbus]

 Most household fridges have the option of changeing doors from side to side. So there are already holes drilled and taped to use for mounting a homemade golly gosh gee wiz I did it myself latch.

I used a scrap piece of stainless, something round, a vise and a hammer to make the offset radius. The pin was made from a nail/bolt and a short piece of something round. Use your imigination the options are limitless.

Sorry I dont have a picture.     Jim

[JohnEd]

Gus,

Don't feel bad.....I only learned as of this thread and this experience and I have been using them since 90.

In talking to that Vallejo guy I learned that the Dometics designed for RV use are built different and they are very tolerant of being run off level.  At least when compared to a unit intended for a fixed installation in a cabin or home.  When I first turned it on it got cold but after an hour it was running like and oven.  I think that is when it bit the dust.

It seems that some of these refers have a "boiling tube" that is smaller than an eighth of an inch.  Tech said that the tiny tubes get clogged with crystals in short order if the thing is off level and the heated part runs dry.  The RV units have bigger tubes and don't clog as fast and will self clear better so, while being level is critical, there is a little slop.  I guess I was living on the edge with that old one I ran for 19 years.

I didn't ask, and I will when I see him, but it seems that the smaller tube might be more efficient.  Must be some good reason for designing them with a built in weakness.

Guess it is time for a new fridge.

John