[VAC] Re: Refrigerator vents

[RJ.Dial@xxxxxxx]

Bob,
You're actually looking in the wrong place :>)
Check out the archive pictures, here's an example:
http://vintageairstream.com/archives1/57Sovereign/57Sovereign.html

The top vents used in the '50's looked more like smokestacks, and are 
still available at better home centers, hardware stores , and 
plumbing/heating supply houses.  Our local Orchard Supply Hardware 
store chain has 'em.  I bought a set to use to install my Valiant hot 
water heater vent through the roof, much like Airstream did.

They have both the 4" round capped ones, usually used on the heater 
vents, and the long oval one, usually used on the refer's. Both have 
storm collars, made of aluminum and look much like the ones from the 
'50s, only now made in Mexico :>(

Airstream rarely used just "RV Parts", as there wasn't really many 
items.  Instead they used common home building parts of the day.  These 
are/were used as roof vent caps for hot water heaters and the like.

When it comes to refer venting, the key is "draft".  The taller & 
tighter your chimney, the better the draw of cool air over the coils of 
the refer.  The ideal is a screened intake in the floor (what Airstream 
used in the '60's), into a relatively tight compartment made using the 
refer back, side cabinets & outer wall of the trailer, continuing 
upward and exhausting out the top of the trailer.

Why can't you cut a hole in the floor?  The problem with the side vent 
idea is unless the refer is mounted up high, you won't get any cooling 
air velocity across the coils (plus another hole to try and make look 
good).

As an alternative, if you live in temperate climes, you can do as 
Airstream did in the '50's, draw the cooling air from the interior.  
That's how our original '57 Kreft in the Flying Cloud is cooled, with a 
brass grill intake under the refer cabinet.  I plan to go the floor 
vent though, based on the great results we've had with the similar 
layout in the '65 Caravel.

Best of luck,
RJ
VintageAirstream.com