My Weekend Project - With pictures!

Brian Diehl · January 18, 2010, 07:09:35 PM

I finally got around to working on the cabinet for the refrigerator.

The refrigerator has ½" of insulation glued to the sides, top and back. I moved the cooling coils another ½" further away from the back of the refrigerator to give room for the insulation I glued on and still allow for air flow across the coils. I also glued in 2" of insulation underneath the refrigerator. The wall behind the refrigerator also has 1" of insulation glued on. I then stapled on felt along the side walls so the insulation on the refrigerator does not squeak against the plywood! On the back wall behind and below the fridge is a small blower. I wired it in so it comes on only when the compressor is running. This way I will have plenty of air flow to keep the heat moving and help the refrigerator run less and thereby use less battery power. Below the refrigerator is the small drawer we will use to put the kids activity books and coloring books in for our trips. Above the refrigerator is an area for my maintenance manuals, etc. I have a switch inside in order to turn off the blower completely if I don't want it on when the refrigerator is running. The door front to cover this area still needs two ar more coats of polyurethane. It will hold the switches for the hot water heater, block heater, refrigerator, the Bogtrimetric battery minder, the outback controller, plus 10 rocker switches. Of these will be the Webasto system, plus light switches. There will be 3 blanks spots for future needs. On the right side of the refrigerator is the pantry. I have it mounted with 4 high capacity drawer slides. I also added room for the broom to be mounted in there to give it a place to be out of the way!

Here are a couple of pictures.

Brian Diehl · January 18, 2010, 07:11:06 PM

more pictures ...

Brian Diehl · January 18, 2010, 07:11:32 PM

and one more.

Tom Y · January 18, 2010, 07:21:24 PM

Brian, Looks real good. Its also good to hear from you. Any trips planed? Keep up the good work. Tom Y

DaveG · January 18, 2010, 07:24:27 PM

Yeah, looks nice

Brian Diehl · January 18, 2010, 07:27:38 PM

Thanks Tom!

Yes, we are planning on going out to the southern end of Colorado for the kids spring break at the end of March. I plan to hit the national sand dunes park, some of the ruins and cliff dwellings around the Durango area, do some off roading and the such. What about you? Any travel plans out this way? I don't know about you, but we are itching to go RIGHT now! :-)

The bus is not driveable right now is our only problem. I'm putting in a new muffler. Since the old one is completely out and the new one not in yet we are kind of "stuck" right now. Hopefully this January thaw we are having is going to hold on until next weekend when I may get to start putting the new muffler on. I have to fab new pipe, cut new holes, and weld up a mounting system for the new muffler. It all takes time!

Thanks Dave!

Fredward · January 18, 2010, 07:36:44 PM

A Chrome Stack might look nice.

Dreamscape · January 18, 2010, 08:11:41 PM

Looks great Brian! Much different since the last time I saw it.

Is that a Whirpool? If it is we just bought one, silver with black trim.

I'll bet it feels good to get this far after all of your hard work.

Paul

philiptompkjns · January 18, 2010, 08:41:26 PM

wait, you need a muffler?

Brian Diehl · January 19, 2010, 09:14:18 AM

Fred - I had considered a Chrome stack, but decided against that! :-)

Paul, this is an older Heir refrigerator. It has worked flawlessly for 6 years now. We bought it on clearance at Menards!

Philip, I don't need a muffler. I have the new one ready, I just have to build the mounting system for it. Thanks!

gumpy · January 19, 2010, 11:36:11 AM

Quote from: Brian Diehl on January 19, 2010, 09:14:18 AM

Philip, I don't need a muffler. I have the new one ready, I just have to build the mounting system for it. Thanks!

I think Phil's comment was more a, "Oh great, something else I have to add to or fix on my bus!"

Brian Diehl · January 19, 2010, 04:49:02 PM

Quote from: gumpy on January 19, 2010, 11:36:11 AM
Quote from: Brian Diehl on January 19, 2010, 09:14:18 AM

Philip, I don't need a muffler. I have the new one ready, I just have to build the mounting system for it. Thanks!

I think Phil's comment was more a, "Oh great, something else I have to add to or fix on my bus!"

Got it! Thanks Craig.

Singing Land Cruiser · January 19, 2010, 05:36:59 PM

Nice job Brian, If you make it up to Estes Park, CO, Give us a shout. M&C

Tom Y · January 19, 2010, 07:21:34 PM

Brian, Hope to head to AZ in April. Maybe Florida in March. I was hoping to get the bus out for a few miles before the weather turned but didn't make it. Doing some work on it but nothing major. Tom