5 replies to this topic

[plug ugly]

trying to replace the ice box with a refer in my 2006 s650.  Its pre-wired and plumbed for a fridge.  Even has cutouts or the vents, just not vents. 

I assume cutting the siding with an autobody saw is easy enough.  The wall vent actually looks prety straight forward.

 

my bigger concern is cutting the roof.  There is a rectangular hole inside the camper with some sort of fiber sheet or something above it.  I have a 'rubber' roof.  Does a jigsaw cut this, or do I need something else to cut it.

 

Any tips or write ups out there?

[buckland]

I'm not clear why you have to cut the roof for a fridge. I installed an Isotherm, having to cut the side vent holes (be careful of wires...peel back the inside wall board to see where they run). 

[larryqp]

Refrigerators can usually be mounted with either two wall vents or a wall vent and a roof vent. On some previous motorhomes I've owned which had the roof vent, the rubber roof membrane was cut in a X pattern, with the rubber folded in and the vent  shroud placed on top then sealed with Dicor seam sealant under the flange and Dicor self leveling sealant on top after you screw the flange in place. Only use approved sealants in contact with the rubber roof membrane.

 

If you have an option to use 2 side vents, I'd go that route. The less holes in the roof the better. I can't help with how to cut hru the roof.

Good luck

[PaulT]

Plug,

Is your s650 a Six-Pac brand camper?
If so, you may learn something here: http://www.six-pac.com/

Good luck
Paul

[ardvark]

Had to do it a couple of times when RV manufacturers "forgot" to cut in roof vent. Yes, I carefully used a jig saw and a fine toothed blade. You can X the rubber at the opening, but it is more difficult to do when the rubber is already glued down.  The flange on the roof vent is about an inch so it is possible to get a good deal without.

 

Using two sidewall vents is the least efficient of venting solutions by the manufacturers and are ranked third of three venting alternatives according to Dometic. Although a good deal of discussion focuses on not penetrating roofs it is much less risky than often stated in my experience. Butyl tape and Dicor do a good job of sealing and with proper installation makes for a lasting install.

 

My two cents

[plug ugly]

the main holes are already in place for lower wall vent and upper roof vent.  I just need to penetrate the metal siding on the wall (was thinking an auto body saw would do the trick) and cut the roof vent.  The roof vent hole is coverd by a fiber sheet of some sort and appears to have some space between it and the roof membrane, though I can not tell how much due to the fiber sheet being fairly tightly stretched.  Just a little hesitant to start cutting holes in my roof for obvious reasons.

 

It is a six pac, which is no longer.  That webiste and the manuals arent terribly helpful but thank you for the referral.  FWC bought them out, and they have been of some help to date, but I dont think they want to mess with an old, used camper.