Compressor fridge freezer ready to go in, what have you used to cover the outside grills?

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MisterB

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enough to know i shouldnt touch things i know nothing about ....
I intend leaving the external grills in as they are, don't really want to fit winter grills over them as rumour has it ... they get nicked!

So what did you use to cover the bottom vent from the inside? Ideally it would be a something like acrylic sheet, but for the size I need it's quite expensive....

I could use ply, but it might get wet over the years, so need something that won't rot or become damp ...

Suggestions please ....?.
 
A couple of times I've needed a piece of "plastic" for a job and got a shock at the prices, I've resorted to buying a large food chopping board. I think they're made from HDPE, but they're certainly durable enough for that type of job ?
 
I took the grills off and put in ali wrapped polystyrene insulation behind, cut to size to fill the vent space and then refitted them. Added the winter covers to make it look better from the outside. I then put the ali wrapped bubble wrap on the inside, cut to go over the holes to ensure no draughts. Used it in Winter en route to Spain and all good.
 
i am looking at alternatives, insulation board for instance, if i can find some 25mm insulation board and just silicone it in place ....
jockaneezer said:
A couple of times I've needed a piece of "plastic" for a job and got a shock at the prices, I've resorted to buying a large food chopping board. I think they're made from HDPE, but they're certainly durable enough for that type of job ?
Click to expand...
ive found a large unused storage box that i was going to cut up, but its a bit too small ... but youve got me thinking about nipping out to the range or bnm and seeing what they have re serving trays etc ....
 
Does a compressor fridge need ventilation in a motorhome? I know my home fridge gives off a lot of heat so have to ensure there is airflow around it.
 
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Mikeco said:
According to my research they require ventilation as they still produce heat.
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That is how they work. A heat pump to take the heat out of the interior and transfer it to the space at the back.

If they work better than other types then more heat is moved to the back?
 
as far as i understood, and of course may be well off track, is that the compressor fridge freezer already has a fan underneath, this pushes out hot air, keeping the condenser cool. If you leave the bottom vent open, then you can get lots of draughts on a cold and windy day, through that 'open void', remember a three way fridge is 'sealed' to the vent so as not to allow the draughts through, in fact some people have had to add extra foam around the outside of the fridge to cut down on draughts when their fridge wasn't sealed too well !!

the compressor fridge freezer vents into the room from my understanding...?
 
68c said:
So fitting blank plates may not be a very good idea?
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If you already have them, take advantage. If you are building from scratch then allow for circulation around the back.

Be aware that some modern fridges don't have the grid/fins on the back and emit the heat to the body all around (sides and back) so they do need to have an air gap all around.
 
Its a Thetford N2160 Fridge Freezer ....
 
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VS

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MisterB said:
Its a Thetford N2160 Fridge Freezer ....
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That is designed for motorhomes so unlikely to be the modern style where they do the heat out of all sides.

It does say no vents required. I would look a the install instructions to check if it needs any free space and a route into the room for the warm air though.
 
My motorhome came with a compressor fridge already fitted.
Grills left in place.
There was a draft coming in from around the fridge tho, so I just got some foam pipe insulation and cut it in half lengthways.
Pushed in all around the fridge to make a snug / tight fit. (from the front)
No drafts and good ventilation for the fridge.
 
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MisterB said:
Page 17 clearly shows NO ventilation required at the rear of the fridge freezer for the T2138..................

so again, if anyone has fitted this particular fridge or any other that didnt require ventilation, what did you use please?
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I know it says none required at the back of the fridge. I believe this to mean external venting?

The installation manual does show 10CM at the top.

It will need some somewhere, or else where would the warm air it emits go?

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MisterB said:
Page 17 clearly shows NO ventilation required at the rear of the fridge freezer for the T2138..................

so again, if anyone has fitted this particular fridge or any other that didnt require ventilation, what did you use please?
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I just went through the whole manual looking for T2138 and page 21 is specific. Yours vents underneath.

1751393154775.webp
 
MisterB said:
I intend leaving the external grills in as they are, don't really want to fit winter grills over them as rumour has it ... they get nicked!

So what did you use to cover the bottom vent from the inside? Ideally it would be a something like acrylic sheet, but for the size I need it's quite expensive....

I could use ply, but it might get wet over the years, so need something that won't rot or become damp ...

Suggestions please ....?.
Click to expand...
Only just seen this I have got actinic white sheet you can have on friday
 
I blocked off two thirds of the lower grill on the inside with some plastic siliconed in to place.
The upper grille is still open with the evaporator fans still in place.
The compressor has a fan on the condenser and I sealed the fridge completely on the inside,so no draughts.
Compressor unit is at Base and back of the unit.
 
Sorted, found an old for sale sign in thin corrugated plastic, I will just double layer it and stick it together, will be more than sufficient

Thanks PeterCarole29 👍 should be ok now, but if I need it, I know where you live lol!!

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MisterB said:
Sorted, found an old for sale sign in thin corrugated plastic, I will just double layer it and stick it together, will be more than sufficient

Thanks PeterCarole29 👍 should be ok now, but if I need it, I know where you live lol!!
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Our T2160 compressor vents out of the bottom under the freezer, it needs no other ventilation,
I filled our outside vents with expanding foam then trimmed them off refitted to the van and made a plastic cover from white foam board then has some decals printed on vinal you can’t tell from original👍
IMG_5333.webp

My fake vents 🙂
 
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Steve and Denise said:
Our T2160 compressor vents out of the bottom under the freezer, it needs no other ventilation,
I filled our outside vents with expanding foam then trimmed them off refitted to the van and made a plastic cover from white foam board then has some decals printed on vinal you can’t tell from original👍View attachment 1080156
My fake vents 🙂
Click to expand...
I can show you at Drax 👍
 
Do compressor fridges product more heat than a 3 way?
An important factor when using in the summer months, with keeping a van cool..
 
jumar said:
Do compressor fridges product more heat than a 3 way?
An important factor when using in the summer months, with keeping a van cool..
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I think those who have had one for some time are better placed than me to advise ...

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