Van Conversion: Electrics Location and Layout

[activecampers]

What does the inside of those vents look like I wonder? Do they prevent water ingress?

IME - fridge vents look crap and look like they'll let in huge amounts of water in driving rain. However on my first van (pro build with 3-way fridge) I took the vents off for maintenance and bone dry..... Note though, the "back" of a 3 way fridge should be sealed, so the vented void behind is sealed from the van. Without this seal, not sure if air (or rain) could/would be sucked or blown in whilst driving?

But anyway, surprisingly the vents are dry Note the vents have internal structure and lipping and are not B&Q cheap vents etc - so the inside element of the vent frames play a part as much as the visible vent

 

[Tommohawk]

Never had a problem obviously if you sprayed it up from under the vent you may get ingress,I have 2 in the garage area as well (from when we had a compressor cool box used at -18) and have never had any ingress there either

great thanks - I guess if mounted low it would be unlikely for water to get in . maybe more of an issue with a higher vent, and eg hose/jetwash from waist height type thing

 

[Tommohawk]

"Note the vents have internal structure and lipping and are not B&Q cheap vents etc - so the inside element of the vent frames play a part as much as the visible vent"
OK yes, thats what I was after. I've shopped around a bit and for some reason louvre type campervan vents not stocked by many providers

 

[Terry]

If you have a compressor fridge why would you want to cut a hole in the side of your van ?

 

[oldiesontour]

great thanks - I guess if mounted low it would be unlikely for water to get in . maybe more of an issue with a higher vent, and eg hose/jetwash from waist height type thing

They have been on for 2 1/2 years and no sign of them discolouring...an AliExpress bargain !

The rear ones.

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[oldiesontour]

If you have a compressor fridge why would you want to cut a hole in the side of your van ?

Personally I wouldn't...but it could be argued on a hot day with a closed van the fridge would be less efficient...using more power..on a sunny day when the solar produces way more than we use.. It could also wear the compressor out more quickly...ours is a 240v fridge freezer £130 so not too worried about that either

 

[Tommohawk]

I can see it both ways - in general keeping electrics cool makes sense, and superheating van with waste heat not ideal .. at least not in what we in the UK laughingly refer to as summer.
But I think on balance I'll avoid external vents unless it becomes obvious theres a problem. The whole conversion will be designed to allow future modifications. (ie fix my blunders)

 

[oldiesontour]

I can see it both ways - in general keeping electrics cool makes sense, and superheating van with waste heat not ideal .. at least not in what we in the UK laughingly refer to as summer.
But I think on balance I'll avoid external vents unless it becomes obvious theres a problem. The whole conversion will be designed to allow future modifications. (ie fix my blunders)

It might be worth starting a thread What have you changed on your van since you converted it... maybe learn from the mistakes of others.

 

[CAB96]

OK, everyone is saying this so happy to that save me a job and a few quid! Still leaves me wondering why some pro vans (Eg Autotrail Vline 540) seem to have vents in the fridge area.

The latest ones don't have vents.

 

[Terry]

It might be worth starting a thread What have you changed on your van since you converted it... maybe learn from the mistakes of others.

If they have vents they will have 3way fridge (12v gas electric ) without vent will be 12v compressor fridge

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[oldiesontour]

If they have vents they will have 3way fridge (12v gas electric ) without vent will be 12v compressor fridge

Or like mine have vents and a 240v compressor fridge.
( as said earlier in the thread Vents were leftover from previous 3 way)

 

[Minxy]

If they have vents they will have 3way fridge (12v gas electric ) without vent will be 12v compressor fridge

Sometimes they have a rear vent for an oven, the Chausson we had had 3 vents.

 

[Terry]

Sometimes they have a rear vent for an oven, the Chausson we had had 3 vents.

I have only generalised vents situation on 99% of vans for OP for his conversion. He does not need vents unless he changes his mind I also don’t need to know what people have on thier van because someone has changed from 3way to a compressor Not having a go at you Mel but it’s a bit like when posters ask question and then get “ I have 1000 w panels and 2000 amps lithium -

 

[Minxy]

I have only generalised vents situation on 99% of vans for OP for his conversion. He does not need vents unless he changes his mind I also don’t need to know what people have on thier van because someone has changed from 3way to a compressor Not having a go at you Mel but it’s a bit like when posters ask question and then get “ I have 1000 w panels and 2000 amps lithium -

I know, I was just pointing out that a vent isn't necessarily used only for fridges but if installing an oven it's a good idea to check the requirements as some may need one, it would be daft to put in a compressor fridge to avoid needing vents then have to put one in because you got the wrong oven.

 

[autorouter]

If it turns out you need a vent for the compressor fridge, there's no need to cut a hole in the side. You could run some ducting from above the fridge (where the warm air rises to) down through a hole in the floor. You'd need a fan to move the air, and you could make it thermostatically controlled so it only came on when needed.

You could have some arrangement to divert the warm air inside in the winter.

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[Terry]

If it turns out you need a vent for the compressor fridge, there's no need to cut a hole in the side. You could run some ducting from above the fridge (where the warm air rises to) down through a hole in the floor. You'd need a fan to move the air, and you could make it thermostatically controlled so it only came on when needed.

You could have some arrangement to divert the warm air inside in the winter.

A simple gap under /sides and over the fridge would be sufficient,venting into the van. Fans would only be needed if extremely hot weather

 

[Minxy]

A simple gap under /sides and over the fridge would be sufficient,venting into the van. Fans would only be needed if extremely hot weather

The compressor in our last PVC had gaps at the top and bottom for that reason, after always having 3-way fridges which had to be totally sealed it seemed really strange!

 

[Terry]

The compressor in our last PVC had gaps at the top and bottom for that reason, after always having 3-way fridges which had to be totally sealed it seemed really strange!

The 3 way’s could kill you / gas fumes hence vented outside and sealed all around to stop harmful fumes entering van No fumes from combustion etc on a compressor fridge

 

[fishplug]

I've had a compressor fridge (Dometic CFX 35) in the van for the last 5 years or so without needing to make any special venting holes. MWB Sprinter - so comparable to an H2 L3 Ducato/Relay/Boxer (tiny bit smaller if anything)

I have a MaxxFan that you can program to come on automatically above a certain temperature and that's been fine for extracting any unwanted heat.

Plenty of room around the fridge to allow airflow - but I haven't put any extra fans or insulated jacket on the fridge (which helps keep the contents cold on a hot day thus reducing the amount of time the compressor runs and the associated heat it kicks out).

 

[Tommohawk]

Thanks all .. so I'll hold off on exterior vents and only add if I have any issues.

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