Thetford Fridge Winter Vent

[andyelbac]

I know there are many posts on this site discussing the merits or otherwise of fitting winter vents but I'm hoping for some specific advise on my particular Thetford Fridge. The model is N4142E with a gross volume of 142 lt. If we assume that fitting a winter cover is worthwhile, my question is: should I be fitting a winter cover behind both top and bottom vent or just the top one? My Burstner manual is vague on this and when I try to call Thetford, the robot recording tells me to consult my dealer if I'm a consumer. Having asked my dealer about a few things, most of which they seemed clueless about, I figured ask the experts; i.e you all!

 

[Old Gibber]

I had a similar tall fridge in mine. It came with winter covers as standard on mine.

There are two vents and they are flat sheets of plastic with a small air hole which fit inside the openings for the fridge, unlike the smaller fridges where they clip on the outside.

They may already be there lol!

 

[Fdhadi]

Fit both top & bottom. There are vents on the vents so the fridge is still vented but works more efficiently during the colder weather. It also keeps the Motorhome warmer because there’s less drafts.

 

[TheTwoOfUs]

I fitted top and bottom covers on ours but found that the fridge wouldn't get down to the desired temperature. Removing the top one cured the problem.

 

[andyelbac]

Looks like I will go with both and see how I get on. One thing I do know; having paid nearly £30 for one, I will be using that as a template to cut the second out of a £4 piece of foam board. Talk about rip-off.

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

 

[Richard n Ann]

I never considered fitting the top cover on ours, the condenser would get very hot.

In fact with both covers off it worked OK in France during sub zero over night temperatures. Just fit the bottom one at first and see how hot the condenser gets, especially the pipe exiting on the left.

 

[IRHP]

I've just used the bottom one. Easy enough to make one. I couldn't spend over £30 on a bit of perspex.

 

[Lenny HB]

Don't fit a top one if running on gas.
Both should always be fitted when washing the van.

 

[kevenh]

We’re talking about a specific fridge so my advice is general (well, for a different make )
The upper vent cover for our Dometic fridge has a cut out so the cover doesn’t block the gas vent.

 

[TheTwoOfUs]

We’re talking about a specific fridge so my advice is general (well, for a different make )
The upper vent cover for our Dometic fridge has a cut out so the cover doesn’t block the gas vent.

Ours is a Dometic 3-way fridge and the covers had the out but it wouldn’t cool down with the top one fitted.

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

 

[Lenny HB]

We’re talking about a specific fridge so my advice is general (well, for a different make )
The upper vent cover for our Dometic fridge has a cut out so the cover doesn’t block the gas vent.

But if you fit the top cover when running on gas even if the fridge works OK the vent cover gets very hot and soft.