when to fit fridge vent covers

DavidG58

DavidG58

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a point has been raised on another thread, raised a query with me

are fridge vent covers purely a convenience to keep down draughts?

if not when should they be fitted?

is it purely a temperature thing? if so when should they be taken back off again?

hope they are not too critical, not sure where mine are :D
 
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They are supposed to be fitted in low temperatures (only bottom one needed). We found that our Fridge /Freezer worked better with them off in low temperatures.
Suggest a bit of trial and error and take it from there. Don't buy new ones, Make some and hold on with a couple of bungi cords.
 
Techno100 said:
Page 21 David
http://www.rvworldstore.co.nz/media/wysiwyg/Manuals/RMD8555_Operating_manual.pdf
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Thanks Andy

I had no idea they suggested fitting below 10C and based on MH's I have seen at well below that without them fitted, nor do many others, or perhaps they have lost theirs like I have

Setting off for the highlands next week, will make more effort to find them before I go :)

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Just wondered why they are not supplied with van as standard if they are required below a certain temperature. Apologies if they are but not here in France.
 
elamessa said:
Just wondered why they are not supplied with van as standard if they are required below a certain temperature. Apologies if they are but not here in France.
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I guess because a some folks don't go away in winter so don't need them .. or at least don't go away in freezing weather..
 
I know the covers are supposed to prevent the fridge from over-cooling at low ambient temperatures, but we have never had covers and never noticed any excessive cooling during the winter. Having survived without covers for 8 years, I don't plan to buy a set any time soon.

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JeanLuc said:
I know the covers are supposed to prevent the fridge from over-cooling at low ambient temperatures, but we have never had covers and never noticed any excessive cooling during the winter. Having survived without covers for 8 years, I don't plan to buy a set any time soon.
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might be wrong here,

but I've always thought it was because the fridge uses a heat source to drive the cooling cycle.. ..

so, if the ambient is too cold, it stops working efficiently and the fridge interior can get warm..
 
JeanLuc said:
I know the covers are supposed to prevent the fridge from over-cooling at low ambient temperatures, but we have never had covers and never noticed any excessive cooling during the winter. Having survived without covers for 8 years, I don't plan to buy a set any time soon.
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That is the popular belief but apparently (I have not experienced this myself) some fridges struggle to cool because the heating elements or flame do not produce enough heat for the absorption process to function efficiently.

EDIT I see Jim was saying the same while I was typing :ROFLMAO:
 
I stand corrected. I have just checked the instructions and all it says is that the covers 'protect the fridge from excessively cold air'. I had assumed that meant it might get too cold inside.
 
JeanLuc said:
I stand corrected. I have just checked the instructions and all it says is that the covers 'protect the fridge from excessively cold air'. I had assumed that meant it might get too cold inside.
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You are not being corrected, it is just a train of thought.
I believe Dave Newell once had a notice from Dometic about this with certain fridges.

As I said I personally have never encountered that.

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I also put mine on in the summer when washing the MH to make sure water does not get inside
 
I think ScotJimLand is closest - I recall being told that too. They aren't NECESSARY but are supposed to help, although I suspect not all setups are that critical.

They do help the drafts though - although if the fridge seals are fitted correctly that SHOULDN'T be necessary.
 
We are in the Alps -15 last night the fridge is next to the sink and the pipes froze had to make some out of cardboard
 
Tried using ours once as temps were below freezing all that happened was the fridge defrosted so haven't used them since works fine temps have been very low at night on this trip without problems.

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Never used them in 10 years of Motorhoming with almost 6 as a fulltimer. been in -20c weather. Although my next fridge will be a compressor fridge...
 
TerryL said:
I think ScotJimLand is closest - I recall being told that too. They aren't NECESSARY but are supposed to help, although I suspect not all setups are that critical.

They do help the drafts though - although if the fridge seals are fitted correctly that SHOULDN'T be necessary.
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If anybody is getting drafts from around the fridge area coming in via the vents then I suggest you get the vents sealed correctly otherwise you'll get vent fumes coming into the van . . . . .not a good idea
 
The vents are usually supplied as part of the vent kit that has to be bought separately @ around £40 for a pair which is necessarily on top of the cost of the fridge :eek: A bit like having to pay £300 for a cassette loo then another £45 ish for a loo door to empty the cassette :xdoh:you can use a placky bag and gaffer tape if the fridge is not working properly just make sure you don't tape the flue bit on the top rt side of the vent :xgrin:

David you can borrow mine if you cannot find yours if you think you will need them :xwink:
terry
 
Tootles said:
How the hell do mice get through the mesh Roger?? o_O
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lots have nylon mesh or none at all :xwink:plus the little blighters have Sharpe teeth :xgrin:They can be held by their tails and turn around and bite your hand/fingers -don't ask :xgrin:
terry

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Terry said:
lots have nylon mesh or none at all :xwink:plus the little blighters have Sharpe teeth :xgrin:They can be held by their tails and turn around and bite your hand/fingers -don't ask :xgrin:
terry
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We have an old Hymer with 16 inch wheels, and it's a long way from the deck to the vent, (about 30 inches). Arrow marks the vent.

hymer2.jpg
 
Are you saying yours is too high for mice/rats to get up ?:xgrin:I would think that all vans are in the region of 20 to 30 ins high off the floor :xsmile:Still don't stop a 4 ins high mouse climbing up into vans from where ever they get in :xgrin:be it fridge vents,holes in floor or through engine bay :xwink:
terry
 
Scattycat said:
If anybody is getting drafts from around the fridge area coming in via the vents then I suggest you get the vents sealed correctly otherwise you'll get vent fumes coming into the van . . . . .not a good idea
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Sorry but it's not the vents that need sealing it's the gap around the fridge into the hab area. Imagine the fridge in a sealed cabinet with a low and high vent to the rear and a mesh grill over a hole underneath it so the heavier than air raw gas can drop out in case of a leak.
 
Badknee said:
Sorry but it's not the vents that need sealing it's the gap around the fridge into the hab area. Imagine the fridge in a sealed cabinet with a low and high vent to the rear and a mesh grill over a hole underneath it so the heavier than air raw gas can drop out in case of a leak.
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Doh!
Splitting hairs aren't we?
My point was that if drafts are coming from around the fridge / vents there is a chance of fumes entering the habitation area. Not a good idea.
But no matter, it's too small a point to bicker over and I can't type and drink at the same time and I'm trying to get on the outside of a nice bottle of Merlot.

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