Midges versus sticky tape !

TUCANO

TUCANO

Joined
Aug 15, 2014
Posts
2,664
Likes collected
3,869
Location
Exiled in Yorkshire
Funster No
32,840
MH
Pilote 600L
Exp
Since 2006
I am planning on doing the NC500 anti-clockwise late April/early May and there is a gap of approx a quarter of an inch, or 5 mil in new money, around the fridge freezer in my van, Pilote g600.
The wind blows a hoolie through there and I realize that it helps to vent the area but it is also a great entry point for the wee beasties. As a temporary measure I am thinking of simply taping the gap for the journey and removing it afterwards.
Quite possibly we may miss the critters but as a precautionary measure what do the panel think please. I am aware that there are other points of entry but this gap is by far the greatest, many thanks for advice offered.
Norman.
 
As far as I'm concerned there shouldn't be any gap around a fridge.
That's an opening into which fridge exhaust gases can get blown into the living area.
If its properly sealed it doesn't need ventilation.
I'm also sure the midges will gather in that area as they thrive on CO.
 
Midges are so small that some flyscreens simply won't work. However, in early May you could be lucky, there weren't that many last year. Find a good breeze and you'll be okay.
 
As PPJ said, you shouldn't have a gap at all as this could allow the fumes from the fridge exhaust to enter your MH which isn't safe and points to a bad installation. Best to get some clear silicone sealant and go round it all to not only keep the wee beasties out but also fumes.
 
pappajohn said:
.....midges will gather in that area as they thrive on CO.
Click to expand...

To be more exact, midges are attracted by warm CO2....

It’s what animals breath out; so when they sense warm CO2, they think ...”right I’m heading over there to suck the shit out of that poor guy/cow/mouse/sheep”.

And that’s how the midgy killer machines work - by emitting warm CO2 and then sucking them into a netted bag where they die of dehydration after a few days.

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I honestly don’t think you’ll have a midge problem in April. Have fun.
 
Solved gap problem on our Pilote using the foam draft excluder that is designed for around doors. Buy the type that has two strips side by side, cut to length then wedge into the gap using a blunt edge.

Midges! Try to park up somewhere breezy and away from damp, boggy earth. In April you should be ok though.
 
Seen arguements against midge/mozzie and other biting insect traps as the logic goes these traps attract an even higher number of would be assassins, some of which die, others survive to supplement those already in the area. Or maybe, place your trap near to your neighbour .... just an idea ... I'd certainly try it, little honour in war
 
Agree with pappajohn fridge is incorrectly installed, sounds dangerous to me and need sorting. It should be completely sealed to the living area.
 
Its normally mid may before the midges become a problem, but when they do, oh beware.
 
Late April/early May they are hardly around. They like it a bit warmer with less wind.
 
jetlag03 said:
Seen arguements against midge/mozzie and other biting insect traps as the logic goes these traps attract an even higher number of would be assassins, some of which die, others survive to supplement those already in the area. Or maybe, place your trap near to your neighbour .... just an idea ... I'd certainly try it, little honour in war
Click to expand...

Yes, I’ve heard from some users that they work brilliantly, but best placed at the edge of where you will sit / spend time. So you attract them away from where you are, so even if you don’t get sucked into the machine, they are at least lured away from you.

And in response to the OP, you should be (generally) absolutely fine that time of year - but just take usual precautions just in case (speaking as a West Coast Scottish person who is usually a target for the beasties).
 
From Dometic Installation Manual:-

4.1.2 Draught-proof installation
Refrigerators in motorhomes, caravans or
other vehicles must be installed in a draughtproof
manner . This means that the combustion
air for the burner is not taken from the living
space and that exhaust fumes are prevented
from entering the living space.
Adequate sealing between the back of the
refrigerator and the vehicle interior has to be
provided.
Dometic strongly recommends carrying this
out using a flexible seal (in order to simplify
later removal and installation of the unit for
maintenance purposes.

Sounds as if yours has been badly Installed?.
 
Fridge sealing depend if the flue is piped out or discharging into a cavity the later needs to be sealed the former only needs seal as a draught prevention

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mitzimad said:
Fridge sealing depend if the flue is piped out or discharging into a cavity the later needs to be sealed the former only needs seal as a draught prevention
Click to expand...
With respect; That is outdated. Very few if any Camper Fridges in more modern `vans are not "room sealed" as per the Manufacturers advice given in my post #19.
 
TUCANO said:
I am planning on doing the NC500 anti-clockwise late April/early May and there is a gap of approx a quarter of an inch, or 5 mil in new money, around the fridge freezer in my van, Pilote g600.
The wind blows a hoolie through there and I realize that it helps to vent the area but it is also a great entry point for the wee beasties. As a temporary measure I am thinking of simply taping the gap for the journey and removing it afterwards.
Quite possibly we may miss the critters but as a precautionary measure what do the panel think please. I am aware that there are other points of entry but this gap is by far the greatest, many thanks for advice offered.
Norman.
Click to expand...
Norman,
We are doing the NC500 anti-clockwise in April/May in our G600 as well this year - might see you out and about ;)
Interesting comments about the sealing of the fridge, as I noticed that ours does the same as yours. When the wind is blowing directly into the offside of the van, the draught is very noticeable making me think that we have exactly the same installation. Very interested to know if this is by design or the result of a faulty installation.
Have you asked your dealer about this at all yet?
Duncan.
 
DrunkenDuncan said:
Norman,
We are doing the NC500 anti-clockwise in April/May in our G600 as well this year - might see you out and about ;)
Interesting comments about the sealing of the fridge, as I noticed that ours does the same as yours. When the wind is blowing directly into the offside of the van, the draught is very noticeable making me think that we have exactly the same installation. Very interested to know if this is by design or the result of a faulty installation.
Have you asked your dealer about this at all yet?
Duncan.
Click to expand...
Duncan,
I couldn't and wouldn't ask the dealer l bought the van from as he is not a Pilote dealer.
As you have exactly the same as me perhaps it is a fault by design and will they care :unsure:
If you bought from a Pilote dealer and you are going to ask l would appreciate feedback, l shall mastic the gap before the trip, probably black.
Did l say that l would not recommend Campbells of Preston to anyone :rofl:
 
We had a draught coming through the bottom of the fridge on our previous van. Hymer B524. When Glenn took the vent off and found that there was a strip of wood at the bottom below the burner that presumably was mean to act as a seal and draught excluder . The strip of wood had warped and was allowing the wind the blow through. It was an easy fix.

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TUCANO said:
Duncan,
I couldn't and wouldn't ask the dealer l bought the van from as he is not a Pilote dealer.
As you have exactly the same as me perhaps it is a fault by design and will they care :unsure:
If you bought from a Pilote dealer and you are going to ask l would appreciate feedback, l shall mastic the gap before the trip, probably black.
Did l say that l would not recommend Campbells of Preston to anyone :rofl:
Click to expand...
I will ask our dealer tomorrow and let you know the response
 
Many thanks, l was looking on Autotrader earlier today at a new one and there is a gap of about half an inch around the fridge :unsure:
 
TUCANO said:
Many thanks, l was looking on Autotrader earlier today at a new one and there is a gap of about half an inch around the fridge :unsure:
Click to expand...
Our dealer has confirmed that the air from the fridge vents on the side of the van should NOT be able to get inside the van. However, there is a hole in the panel at the bottom of the fridge receptacle which is there for normal ventilation and air circulation around it. The dealer is going to test ours when we next have it with them to confirm that the back of the fridge is sealed and that any draught that we are experiencing is coming from the normal ventilation hole (for my own peace of mind I might just go out on a particularly windy day and see if I can stop the draught by putting the vent covers on and if so, it will be straight back to the dealers to get fixed!).
Doesn't solve your mozzie phobia though :unsure:
 
Ours is vented to the outside, but there is a definite draft coming from around the fridge. Should it be sealed?
 
DrunkenDuncan
Interesting to see what they will say, the draught from around my fridge is WITH the vent covers fitted :rolleyes:

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