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Old 10-16-2017, 01:14 PM   #1
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Name: Bat Dude
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Scamp maintenance before winter escape

Scamp maintenance before winter escape

No, we do not yet have an Escape on order… still wrestling with what size 19’ or 21’ Eeee to many decisions.

OK back to Scamp maintenance. After our 30 day trip west I decided it was time to tackle the refrigerator compartment. As I have posted for a few years the plastic vents to the outside seem to be leaking.

I tried the stick on plastic gutter over both vent areas as well as bending it around to face forward to stop and streaming water from rain while pulling. Did not really solve the issue. Recently found the top of the lower compartment had the seal broken and ran a bead of the RV sealant around this after removing the entire vent panel area and sealing underneath to the FG exterior reinstalled then sealed on the outside. That did not solve it.

I disconnected the few items like 110 AC plug, 2 12 DC wires and the flare fitting for propane. Then drilled out the 6 rivets on the inside and lifted the fridge out and set it on the Scamp floor. Hmmm, it would not fit through the Scamp door with screen installed.

I had planned to either paint the support shelf or perhaps add a 1/16” layer of Plexiglas then replace the fridge. What I discovered was that the shelf support was held in place by two wood screws so easy to remove. It looked bad and was soft and “punky” on the outside near the vents. When I pulled it out I discovered that the moisture had seeped all the way through and a bit moldy on both sides.






So I replaced it with a new piece of plywood with the top surface sealed. I also discovered that the shelf was far from a tight fit and sizable gaps in the front corners and a bit on the sides. This explained Carolyn’s comments about the pots and pans etc. in the underneath storage compartment always being very cold.

In any case, the longest time part of the operation was having the new piece cut. Fortunately, a neighbor has a table saw etc. and loves wood working and found a scrap/spare bit of wood and cut the replacement to fit. I then sealed the new one with high-density window weather stripping on all four edges and closed the gaps in the coroners. Hopefully, the stripping will no longer allow water to leak below into the storage area. Sliding the fridge back in was easy. There is a small strip of wood along the outside edge that apparently keeps the fridge level front to back and that only had 2 screws into the particle board to hold it in place. Quickly installed the 6 new rivets then reconnected everything. Turned on the propane and did the soapy water bubble test for leaks. None detected so good to go.

I am now thinking when not using propane option I will keep plastic liners on the inside of these vents to keep out water. On electric use, it should not get very hot and now CO to worry about.

The new door seal is in place, fridge area replaced now time to do a quick rinse of outside and let dry then put the new Scamp offered cover over it to keep clean. That was a new product I found on the Scamp site. At $150 it was a bargain.

Only +/- five weeks before we head south.


Carolyn suggested we may want to consider Death Valley again after GA. We met Bryan and Anne there some years back as we were trembling Newbies afraid of the Boon docking. They made life seem easy and turned out to be no big deal. A quick check of the NPS web site indicated recent massive flooding damage to Scotty’s Castle, many roads, and one campground completely closed. Sunset may reopen…

Still clueless if we will head south into Florida or to the SW. Couple of months between Feb first to early April when we return to Mich. With global climate change Mich. may become more tolerable for those of use of tropical persuasions.

Cheers,
Bat Dude
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Old 10-19-2017, 05:43 AM   #2
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scottys casle

did you go to schottys castle have seen it on tv. Just wonderin?

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Old 10-19-2017, 06:10 AM   #3
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Castle

Yes Bob,

Had been there in the late 60s (was doing water beetle field work in the desert at the time) then again on our Scamping trip to DV a few years back. Not sure how much damage there was from flood.
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Old 10-19-2017, 06:14 AM   #4
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ok

I think its in new mexico right? drove right past it one time and didn't stop in there sort of dumb I guess?

oh well gives us another place to go. Plans this winter are Texas again, N.M. again then on to Az for the egg convention at Quartsiste.

by the way have you don't bat work in Carsabad?

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Old 10-19-2017, 04:08 PM   #5
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Do not cover the refer vent even if running on elec. The refer still has to get rid of the heat to be able to cool.
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Old 10-19-2017, 04:40 PM   #6
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Scotties Castle.

Quote:
Originally Posted by BatDude View Post
Yes Bob,

Had been there in the late 60s (was doing water beetle field work in the desert at the time) then again on our Scamping trip to DV a few years back. Not sure how much damage there was from flood.

The new road to Scottie's Castle has been wiped out by the Oct. 2015 storm. It's expected to be open again in 2019.
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Old 10-20-2017, 05:34 AM   #7
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The drain for my refer was plugged up with debris, caused water to pool. Run a thin wire in hole to clear.
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Old 10-20-2017, 05:55 AM   #8
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Originally Posted by GlassCastle View Post
The drain for my refer was plugged up with debris, caused water to pool. Run a thin wire in hole to clear.
I dont think the OP has such a drain. I know that there is not one in my Scamp.

Eveland's does not use a good design for the fridge compartment and when water gets past the vent(s), which is will sooner or later, there is not anyplace for it to drain off. The support shelf will soon have the appearance of that in OP's photo. Thats the way it is.
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