Sun Shade for Outside Fridge Vents

michellep · 06-01-2016, 03:37 PM

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I'm working on making a sun shade for the outside fridge vents to maybe help it run easier if it's facing west.
With Dan's encouragement, I did my first grommet job.

Turned out pretty good, if I don't say so myself...

Now, to get the 3M hooks to line up with the grommet holes.

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profdant139 · 06-01-2016, 03:48 PM

Nice work!! Maybe install one hook at the corner position. Now lift one corner of the tarp onto that hook. That will give you your reference point. Then stretch the tarp horizontally and mark each hole with pencil on the side of the trailer. It would be helpful to have a small spirit level to make sure the tarp is straight.

Now stick the hooks on the marks.

Let us know how it goes!

michellep · 06-01-2016, 03:54 PM

What is a spirit level?

profdant139 · 06-01-2016, 06:51 PM

It is a ghost that supervises construction projects.

No-- it is that thing with a little bubble in a little window that tells you if the project is "on the level." If the bubble is not centered, the work is not level.

michellep · 06-01-2016, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by profdant139

It is a ghost that supervises construction projects.

No-- it is that thing with a little bubble in a little window that tells you if the project is "on the level." If the bubble is not centered, the work is not level.

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Dang. I'd rather have the ghost.
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runner421 · 06-01-2016, 07:23 PM

So - a small trick - when it's really hot, shade or not, take the vent cover/grill off the exterior of the camper that goes to the refrigerator. This allows maximum air flow around the back of the refrigerator, the cooling fins. It provides the refrigerator a little extra room to breathe and cool down.

michellep · 06-01-2016, 07:38 PM

I was wondering about doing that!

What if I forget and it rains?

runner421 · 06-01-2016, 08:13 PM

Well - forget once - unless it's a torrential downpour, probably no big deal. The inside will get wet - you certainly wouldn't want to make a habit of it. Let it dry out real good before putting the cover back in to place.

profdant139 · 06-01-2016, 10:35 PM

What's rain?

Here in coastal Southern Calif, we had (I am pretty sure) five rainy days in the past year. More in Northern Calif. I know it is hard to believe, but we eventually get really tired of sunny weather in the 70s, month after month. Dull.

So the good news is that we can leave the vent cover off -- I never thought of doing that.

runner421 · 06-02-2016, 11:12 AM

So the next generation of Californians will be like: What's an umbrella? What are those things on the windshield of the car?

profdant139 · 06-02-2016, 11:41 AM

Exactly right. It rains so seldom that very few people know how to drive in the rain. They either go too fast (not understanding the risks) or way too slow (panicked by the thought of wet pavement). Towing a trailer in the rain on the LA freeway system is an unforgettable experience.

True story (and it fits in with the awning topic!) -- the first time we went to the state of Washington, we noticed that everyone else had their awnings tilted. As a native Californian, I mocked them -- "These folks don't know how to set up their awnings!"

Of course, it rained that night, and of course my awning was filled with water in the morning. Luckily, it did not break under the weight. Unluckily, I got soaked when I let down one corner of the awning to let the big puddle drain.

Those folks in Washington were not as dumb as I thought they were.