Dometic fridge vents and winter covers (1 Viewer)

Feb 24, 2013
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not long enough
In our 4 + years of ownership of our MH we have never fitted winter covers on the fridge vents, primarily because we don't have any :)

we or more importantly (I) survived -15C and 50 mph + winds in January last year without obvious ill effects although I did park with door and vents away from wind (y)

So planning for Norway where day time temps are already maxing at single figures in September and night time around 0C, thought I would invest in some covers rather than incur Bevs potential anger if she is cold o_O

found these and was about to order them



then noticed that you appear to be able to get winter vents that I presume do not then need or even have an option for covers, before I buy these to find they will not fit on mine anybody got an opinion ?

daft question of course, you all have an opinion, but any body got a valid input into my query (y)

The link above is to my size vent (larger than some) will take a photo when home to see if there is anywhere obvious it would fit to (y)
 
Last edited:

Theonlysue

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Sep 14, 2009
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Not long enough!
I had the tec tower. Put the vents on in minus15. Had to take them off because fridge cooled better without them.
 
R

Robert Clark

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I had the tec tower. Put the vents on in minus15. Had to take them off because fridge cooled better without them.
We had exactly the same issue in Bruges last winter - freezing outside, and had to remove the vent covers as the fridge wasn't working properly.
As soon as we removed them, it perked up again.

Dometic say in their literature to fit them below 10 deg C, but when questioned they changed their story and suggest only fitting them when washing the van.

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Gellyneck

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Jun 5, 2014
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In line with ToS and Robert our fridge worked much less efficiently with the vent covers in place so removed them. Still carry them around with us but .................., eh why?
 

Lenny HB

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Usally fit just the bottom one in cold weather, top one when running on gas gets too hot for comfort.
Always put both on when the van is not being used stops a lot of crud getting around the back of the fridge. Also Domectic do say to fit them when washing the van.
 

Derbyshire wanderer

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I find that they are not effective when fitted except in high winds when they help keep drafts at bay.

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Derbyshire wanderer

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If you have drafts your fridge installation needs sorting out for safety, shouldn't be any drafts if it has been installed correctly.
Thanks, I have just checked the sealing foam and can see that strong wind can push it aside and cause a draft. It is Ok but could be better.
I think I will add some more to avoid this happening.
 
Jul 29, 2013
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@DavidG58 said :So planning for Norway where day time temps are already maxing at single figures in September and night time around 0C, thought I would invest in some covers rather than incur Bevs potential anger if she is cold

They won't make any difference to her getting cold as they only ventilate the fridge and there should be no draughts around it as previously stated by others
 
Jul 29, 2013
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We have we are just completing our Scandinavian trip which started April and went up to as far as Karesuando on Swedish Finnish border. Frozen lakes and snow never used covers at all did have them in the van though.

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Feb 28, 2015
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I have an Autotrail Cheyenne 630s which I have been using for 3 years traveling to France and Italy ,on a number of occasions I experienced a strange feeling of what felt to me was a sinking odd type experience when I was parked.This year the same thing happed I could not think of any reason I aways thought it might be tiredness or stress,but then I thought that a various times I had felt a drought when in close proximity of the fridge when the vents were facing into the wind.This led me to think that the fridge seal was not working and gas was flowing into the motor home during these side winds.On inspection of the fridge I found the fridge did indeed move out and was able to push it back about half an inch.Checking the inside of the fridge I found that the four screws that held the fridge in position were completely loose,so I repositioned the fridge as tight as I could and tightened the screws up,this held the fridge in the correct position.I now want to find out the best way to check if there is a proper check to monitor any gas leaks to a high speck that will give me the confidence I want.
 
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DavidG58
Feb 24, 2013
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I have an Autotrail Cheyenne 630s which I have been using for 3 years traveling to France and Italy ,on a number of occasions I experienced a strange feeling of what felt to me was a sinking odd type experience when I was parked.This year the same thing happed I could not think of any reason I aways thought it might be tiredness or stress,but then I thought that a various times I had felt a drought when in close proximity of the fridge when the vents were facing into the wind.This led me to think that the fridge seal was not working and gas was flowing into the motor home during these side winds.On inspection of the fridge I found the fridge did indeed move out and was able to push it back about half an inch.Checking the inside of the fridge I found that the four screws that held the fridge in position were completely loose,so I repositioned the fridge as tight as I could and tightened the screws up,this held the fridge in the correct position.I now want to find out the best way to check if there is a proper check to monitor any gas leaks to a high speck that will give me the confidence I want.

you need to have a CO carbon monoxide monitor on board anyway, that should give you reassurance that there is no dangerous gas, no odour at least, you will smell LPG (y)

I would suspect you have had CO poisoning o_O
 
Apr 27, 2016
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I now want to find out the best way to check if there is a proper check to monitor any gas leaks to a high spec

It's not a gas leak. LPG is dangerously flammable and explosive, but it is not poisonous, like the old 'town gas' used to be.

I would suspect you have had CO poisoning

I agree. CO (Carbon Monoxide) is in the fumes from the flame exhaust, and it's deadly in low concentrations. It's a real threat. Tragedies occur every year.

Get your fridge sealing checked by a motorhome specialist, as soon as possible.

Don't sleep in the motorhome with the fridge on gas until it's fixed.

Sleeping people exposed to gradually increasing carbon monoxide concentration die without waking.

Get a carbon monoxide (CO) alarm. Like, now!

You're very lucky. Most don't get a second chance.

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Feb 28, 2015
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Thanks for the reply,it shows if you a small leak can build up and cause problems.the problem is when you buy a motor home you have to check for yourself that the fridge is securely screwed in and it does not move out from the cabinet leading to the back of the fridge. Now to get it checked,thanks for the info Malcolm.
 

Happy1

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Jan 30, 2017
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Just picked up a co2 alarm from b&q that has a digital readout so would pick up on any leaks not just one big enough to trigger the alarm, any exposure to co2 is cumulative so even small amounts are not good.
 

Soozywoozy

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Feb 18, 2014
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We bought some for our skiing jaunts and like others found better without, that said, after research ( can’t remember where) when you have vast swings in temperature or direct sun on the vents this can cause the problem. we have always skied in spring with great sunshine and day time temperatures sometimes in double figures despite well below -12° at night. I think when there is more consistency of low temperatures it’s a different scenario. I would get them as a just in case, rather than do without. Likewise we have never used our snow chains or snow shovel but wouldn’t dream of travelling without

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