Vent Microwave to Outside

[FLSteve]

One of the specials we ordered on our new Mountain Aire was to vent the microwave to the outside. This really helps with cooking food smells and excess heat. We had it on our previous coaches and really like it. I noticed they changed the outside wall vent cover this year and it did not seem to allow much air to get exhausted out. From looking up at it from the bottom it did not seem to be opening the flap when the fan was turned on. I wrote to the manufacturer of the vent cover and asked for a shop drawing of the unit and now I see the reason. It has a "damper lock" and I had never released it ... and boy does that make a difference. Just posting this in case others out there might have this style of vent cover. Here is a picture of what the cover looks like and the shop drawing showing the damper lock.

FLSteve

 

[Richpatty]

I wish I would have thought of that when we built our Ventana. It should be on the build sheet.

 

[Deer Springs RV Park]

What exactly is a "damper lock" Steve?

 

[FLSteve]

What exactly is a "damper lock" Steve?

Look at the PDF drawing I posted, and you can see it. It keeps the damper from opening so I guess when you are driving down the road it will not chatter from the wind noise.

 

[Jim]

Look at the PDF drawing I posted, and you can see it. It keeps the damper from opening so I guess when you are driving down the road it will not chatter from the wind noise.

Yep, I see it now.

 

[Just George]

@FLSteve I have that same vent cover on my 22 Dutch Star. First time for a outside vent for us. Since you had the outside vent on a previous coach and now on your new one I have a couple questions.

Any issue with "vent rattle" while traveling? We hear a "tinny" rattle when traveling on the expressway. If you have had this issue would love to hear about a fix if you have one.

Do you have "good" exhaust suction from the vent hood? Our vent hood seems to have very little suction. i.e. when the fan is on high it has little to no affect on a tissue held up near the intake.

Have you figured out a way to open the damper lock from the ground? I'm thinking about drilling a hole in the damper lock tab and using some type of hook to open and close from the ground.

 

[Lab00Rat]

We love ours. Wife can now make breakfast early without waking me with the smoke alarm. Worth every penny.

 

[FLSteve]

@FLSteve I have that same vent cover on my 22 Dutch Star. First time for a outside vent for us. Since you had the outside vent on a previous coach and now on your new one I have a couple questions.

Any issue with "vent rattle" while traveling? We hear a "tinny" rattle when traveling on the expressway. If you have had this issue would love to hear about a fix if you have one.

Do you have "good" exhaust suction from the vent hood? Our vent hood seems to have very little suction. i.e. when the fan is on high it has little to no affect on a tissue held up near the intake.

Have you figured out a way to open the damper lock from the ground? I'm thinking about drilling a hole in the damper lock tab and using some type of hook to open and close from the ground.

@Just George ... our previous coach was a Dutch Star and I could walk under the vent on the outside and feel the exhaust blowing down (and smell food). From the inside you don't really feel a lot of suction, but it seems to work. I have not noticed any rattle while driving ... but sometimes when set up at a campground if there is a really strong wind it will make the flap rattle once and a while. Overall we really like having it.

FLSteve

 

[FLSteve]

Just some user feedback ... I just drove about 400 miles and left the damper lock off (so flap was open) and did not hear any flapping or rattling noises, so will just plan to leave it open all the time. Again, this is for the style of vent in this picture.

FLSteve

 

[ARD]

@FLSteve Thanks for making this post. So I opened mine and it looked like the first photo and closed like yours above in 2nd . Did I do something wrong?

 

[Russellvh]

Just wondering. If the vent is left open is there much chance of a bird building a nest or spiders, large bugs getting in???

 

[FLSteve]

@FLSteve Thanks for making this post. So I opened mine and it looked like the first photo and closed like yours above in 2nd . Did I do something wrong?

@ARD ... your top picture is in the "open" position which means the damper lock is off and the vent can swing open and work. Your bottom picture is closed so the damper lock is on and the vent will stay closed. I think you are doing it right. Get a ladder and stand outside under it and you can tell the difference in the air coming out. Turn you fan on high.

Let me know if this makes sense.

FLSteve

 

[FLSteve]

Just wondering. If the vent is left open is there much chance of a bird building a nest or spiders, large bugs getting in???

@Russellvh ... I guess it's possible but probably a low chance. I plan leave mine open when we are traveling and using the coach but close it when we are home and not using it. But a good point and something to keep track of.

FLSteve

 

[FLSteve]

@ARD ... I see the confusion now. The #9 post above that you were referring to was just to make sure folks knew what type/style of vent I was talking about. Every picture and illustration in that post shows it in the closed position.

FLSteve

 

[ARD]

@ARD ... your top picture is in the "open" position which means the damper lock is off and the vent can swing open and work. Your bottom picture is closed so the damper lock is on and the vent will stay closed. I think you are doing it right. Get a ladder and stand outside under it and you can tell the difference in the air coming out. Turn you fan on high.

Let me know if this makes sense.

FLSteve

That's what I thought but wasn't quite sure. Thanks tons!!!!

 

[ARD]

Just wondering. If the vent is left open is there much chance of a bird building a nest or spiders, large bugs getting in???

I don't really think it will be a problem. Those buggers have so many other wonderful locations to choose from. I had a lil bird make quite the nest UNDER my slide.