Fridge vent covers

[Gary217]

Just wondering if I need to bother with covers for my external fridge vents? My thinking is, water's all drained and the covers won't give a lot of protection against cold as it is a metal box so it will be cold when not used but, leaving the vents open will actually give a bit of ventilation to an otherwise closed up and parked van and if we use it (as we plan to in January onwards), we won't worry about the draughts because we'll have to open the vents as the fridge will be running.
So, I feel it is not really worth fitting the covers...or am I missing something?

 

[Vlad The Impaler]

It does if you have horizontal rain coming in from that direction...

Rain comes from the sky so drops vertically ,if the wind gets up it may come at an angle.Vents are designed to shed water ,I'd guess the chance of water ingress through horizontal rain are the same as getting Gassed in daylight outside a police station .
But then again it's bound to have happened to someone !


Vlad

 

[stevec]

Been looking at vent covers with a view to making a pair. Just how many square centimeters are left open (at bottom of bottom cover and top of top cover?). I've seen several versions including ones with no openings at all (at least it looks that way). Dometic LS300 I think.

 

[CWH]

Rain comes from the sky so drops vertically ,if the wind gets up it may come at an angle.Vents are designed to shed water ,I'd guess the chance of water ingress through horizontal rain are the same as getting Gassed in daylight outside a police station .
But then again it's bound to have happened to someone !
Vlad

 

[Vlad The Impaler]

As I said there's no such thing as horizontal rain !
I see you've resorted to a youtube style video ,shot in a place few if any will take our Mh's to ,that shows a thunderstorm during which rain blown by a strong prob westerly gale makes it look like the rain is coming vertically . It's not !
In such a storm due to vent design little if any water would enter your van and as said since the back of the fridge is sealed ,or should be ,you wouldn't know about it .
So to answer the opening question the answer is no you don't need them ,unless you think you do then you also need a Mh cover,satellite system ,solar,big battery bank ,ramoska,outside shower BBQ point,awning ,toad ,ebike,wifi and all the other OPTIONS that are available.

Vlad

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[CWH]

@Vlad The Impaler , here on the Atlantic coast, and where we were over Xmas on the North Sea coast, the wind was doing exactly that (but I haven't been out to take a video of it, hence resorting to youtube ) - I know it's not ACTUALLY raining horizontally, but that is how everyone here refers to it
But I'm pleased in one way that you say the rain can't come in via the vents; in another way I'm not that pleased by it, as it means the water in the cupboard has come in another way...

 

[Bertie Bassett]

Now that would worry me.
The fridge is supposed to be sealed from the interior. Draughts from around the fridge can carry with them combustion gases, including carbon monoxide.

Noted jands and thanks. Never had a van that didn't have draughts from round the fridge but as this is a Thetford not Dometic Fridge I think I need to speak to my dealer again.

 

[jonandshell]

Noted jands and thanks. Never had a van that didn't have draughts from round the fridge but as this is a Thetford not Dometic Fridge I think I need to speak to my dealer again.

Our Thetford seems well fitted in our Chausson, no draughts or light shining through. Our old Elddis had a Dometic fridge fitted very badly. Draughts aplenty!

 

[Vlad The Impaler]

@Vlad The Impaler , here on the Atlantic coast, and where we were over Xmas on the North Sea coast, the wind was doing exactly that (but I haven't been out to take a video of it, hence resorting to youtube ) - I know it's not ACTUALLY raining horizontally, but that is how everyone here refers to it
But I'm pleased in one way that you say the rain can't come in via the vents; in another way I'm not that pleased by it, as it means the water in the cupboard has come in another way...

If you've got water in your cupboards I'd say you have a problem ,as said fridge vents are used due to temp variations affecting the efficiency of a fridge.
As already pointed out the void at the back of the fridge should be sealed .This suggests that water is saturating this area and it's getting past the void and into your cupboard ,if so you may well have a problem .


Vlad

 

[CWH]

If you've got water in your cupboards I'd say you have a problem ,as said fridge vents are used due to temp variations affecting the efficiency of a fridge.
As already pointed out the void at the back of the fridge should be sealed .This suggests that water is saturating this area and it's getting past the void and into your cupboard ,if so you may well have a problem .
Vlad

The MH is going in next week so I'll get them to check it out. Cheers

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Bertie Bassett]

Our Thetford seems well fitted in our Chausson, no draughts or light shining through. Our old Elddis had a Dometic fridge fitted very badly. Draughts aplenty!

My reason for putting that is that Dometics have a separate exhaust which Thetford attempted to copy. Dometic exercised their existing patent and the rest as they say is history.

 

[haganap]

Now that would worry me.
The fridge is supposed to be sealed from the interior. Draughts from around the fridge can carry with them combustion gases, including carbon monoxide.

Not quite right jon.
Most will have a draught around the fridge as part of the gas drop. In the Bessie it was that bad I actually sealed it up..also the Adria had one as did the CI . I am after some vent covers for mine as even the Rapido has draught at the high winds we experienced over new year not as much as the Bessie but still enough to chill the van.... if yours has no draught around the fridge then simply put your additional drop to protect you from gas will be elsewhere..
Motorhomes are designed to have these little quirks it's just the brit ones are more careful when ensuring gas can escape

 

[aztecannie]

We've got an Autocruise Gleneagles - just received the vents, but no obvious way to fit them. No screws etc.
Anyone got any idea?

 

[Larrynwin]

Covers were not supplied with our tech tower fridge in the Hymer and according to Becks do not come as standard.
Think I better buy some

 

[PeteH]

Interesting?. In 45+years of Caravanning, R-V ing and Motor-homing, I have never had reason to need nor fit any covers, and we lived in ours for extended winter periods including a 2 Year self build, and a 1 Year Refurb. So is this a new thing with modern fridges?. I have one in the locker of the Rapido, which I have never seen fit to use.

Pete

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[PP Bear]

I haven't come across any instructions to back this up.
If it is generally cold and damp I fit them.
However, I have removed the top cover during the spring or autumn if the day temperature is more than 10 degrees when using gas.

Me neither. Use them all the time on gas. The gas flue has its own exhaust, while the vent covers don't completely cover the vents, allowing for the passage of air.

 

[TheBig1]

Me neither. Use them all the time on gas. The gas flue has its own exhaust, while the vent covers don't completely cover the vents, allowing for the passage of air.

other mainly newer fridges dont actually have a seperate exhaust cowl. the chimney vents into the space behind the fridge and the burnt gasses and excess heat escape through the top vent

 

[Gellyneck]

We've got an Autocruise Gleneagles - just received the vents, but no obvious way to fit them. No screws etc.
Anyone got any idea?

If they're like those on our Autotrail the covers will have some tangs on the back close to one long edge that fit into slots on the van grill. Once you've done that there should be a couple of dome headed retainers with a slot on them close to the opposite long edge of the covers that you turn a quarter-turn with a coin (1p \ 2p). Removal is the opposite of this.

 

[Stagman]

Fridge covers should be fitted when temperature falls below 8deg, the reason is the fridge will not cool efficiently if not used below this temp. It has nothing to do with wind blowing out the flame, as suggested, because that would indicate the fridge has not been fitted properly.

Also use them when washing the vehicle, to prevent water ingress, but remember to remove them when travelling.
It is also known, believe it or not, for them to be nicked. They can be costly to relace.

Regards DelMar.

Yes we do believe it. Ours disappeared along with the vent itself in southwold, leaving a bloody great hole. Not happy.

 

[Ann&MikeMancs]

Great advice.
From a Newbie....Iid like to ask...I've travelled in the back, of our Bessacar E495/opposite the fridge (we have a four seater dining bit there) and 'believe you me' its ffffreezing sitting there. The draught is unbelievable. I put hubbies coat, blankies, tea towels..just ANYTHING I could fine to stop the wind coming through by the fridge & sink!). Are all vans like this? Be great in summer I guess we will have our own air con!! The van is 08. Would love to hear from other Bessi owners (as well as 'you lot')
Muchas gracias

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[CWH]

I've travelled in the back, of our Bessacar E495/opposite the fridge (we have a four seater dining bit there) and 'believe you me' its ffffreezing sitting there

I'll ask before everyone else does...

Did you close the fridge door???

 

[Ann&MikeMancs]

I knew it!!!
To spoil the fun YES I did

 

[travelling wilbury]

AFAIK (having had both brands of fridge and corresponding vents....) that the 'dome' upper screw fit lug is only on a Dometic cover (as on our current van) whereas the Thetford covers (as on our Bolero) have a sprung lug at the top.....

on both types of vent....insert bottom lugs first and then log in place with dome or sprung lug, as appropriate....

 

[travelling wilbury]

Great advice.
From a Newbie....Iid like to ask...I've travelled in the back, of our Bessacar E495/opposite the fridge (we have a four seater dining bit there) and 'believe you me' its ffffreezing sitting there. The draught is unbelievable. I put hubbies coat, blankies, tea towels..just ANYTHING I could fine to stop the wind coming through by the fridge & sink!). Are all vans like this? Be great in summer I guess we will have our own air con!! The van is 08. Would love to hear from other Bessi owners (as well as 'you lot')
Muchas gracias

no, it should not allo anything li,e the draught you are experiencing....this could allow unburnt gas back into the habitation area....

its a relatively easy job to release and ease the fridge forward and, with the vents removed on the outside (again, just sliding catches) look insode and ensure the foam strip that runs around the fridge slot opening is correctly formed and aligned.....any foam misaligned or missing etc will allow a huge draught into the van....

if you arent upto doing this job yourself, ensure someome else does it.....

 

[landscaper]

Great advice.
From a Newbie....Iid like to ask...I've travelled in the back, of our Bessacar E495/opposite the fridge (we have a four seater dining bit there) and 'believe you me' its ffffreezing sitting there. The draught is unbelievable. I put hubbies coat, blankies, tea towels..just ANYTHING I could fine to stop the wind coming through by the fridge & sink!). Are all vans like this? Be great in summer I guess we will have our own air con!! The van is 08. Would love to hear from other Bessi owners (as well as 'you lot')
Muchas gracias

Ours is a 795 Bessie and we have exactly the same problem - solved by putting on the fridge vents - to a certain degree. We also have to put a bath towel in the pocket of the driver's door as the drought there is bad as well. Ours is 2007.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[travelling wilbury]

Ours is a 795 Bessie and we have exactly the same problem - solved by putting on the fridge vents - to a certain degree. We also have to put a bath towel in the pocket of the driver's door as the drought there is bad as well. Ours is 2007.

remember, youre only masking the issue.....if you really have a large draught into the van from the gap around the fridge, and you use it on gas, there is a chance of unburnt gas coming back into the van....exterior plastic vents wont stop this, only proper sealing of the fridge unit....

 

[Reallyretired]

If it's very cold I put only the bottom cover on, which restricts the airflow across the back of the fridge. I don't cover the top vent as the gas flue comes out there.

 

[travelling wilbury]

our oven exhaust also exits via the top vent but the covers are not designed to totally restrict flow.

AFAIK they are merely to reduce draughts to allow less cold air in and out to assist burner function in cold weather, thus making the unit more efficient....

 

[ojibway]

I have just bought and fitted a pair,my reasoning is that we have three trips away during Dec and Jan so temps below 10 deg C are to be expected.
Secondly there shouldn't be any draughts through them into your van as the fridge should be airtight. But rain might drive in through the open vents and I wanted to stop this

In our first van, a Rapido 948M, you could see daylight looking through over the top of the fridge/freezer (15mm gap)and a gale blowing through if windy. It was fitted completely incorrectly. I wrote to the manufacturers but of course the didn't reply.
I made a lot of modifications to right it and to have the air flow through it correctly. Rubbish van!!