Autohomes? fridge tips!

Post by **AngeloEvs** » 27 Jun 2008, 08:00

Many owners of Autohomes conversions will know how susceptible the area behind the fridge is to corrosion, largely due to damp air and moisture entering through the fridge vents. Left unattended, the corrosion spreads to the lower body panel and seams. As you can see in the picture, my refrigerator had also been affected by corrosion and, along with the floor and body panel, required remedial attention. Having carried out all repairs I was pleased to locate vent covers available from Rainbow Conversions, at £5-00 each (stock no. 50393) and these simply clip on to the original grille vents as fitted by Autohomes. Not only will they reduce unwanted H2O eating away at your floor and panels, they will also improve the cooling efficiency of the fridge. When using the 240V option, the vent covers can be fitted in temperatures below 10 degrees to prevent over cooling and improve cooling efficiency. I leave the lower one in place on windy/cool days/evenings and to speed up the cooling process even during the summer, sufficient cool air is drawn from the gap under the refrigerator and along the rear of the units to maintain air circulation. You can leave them in place when driving using the 12V option irrespective of weather conditions. Though the vent covers do not completely obstruct ventilation, they should not be used when using the gas option. During the wet season you could tape over the small apertures and completely seal the vents, well worth the £10-00 for a pair!

[img:392:289]http://muchos.co.uk/members/Angeloevs/frige.jpg[/img]

Also available for Karisma/Kameo models (possibly others?) at the same price (part no. 50391) are replacement vents with a subtle, but useful, difference. The replacement is surrounded by a flange allowing more contact with the body work. The original ones do not have this flange and consequently require copious amounts of mastic making removal and refitting somewhat tedious! The larger contact area on the replacement allows the vent to be fitted using a thin layer of silicon sealant (or you could fabricate a gasket) but either way, a lot simpler to remove/refit if you need to access the flue to remove the fridge. The distance between the fixing holes on the replacement is identical along the horizontal but 5mm further apart on the vertical. No problem, just elongate the holes on the new vents but check the condition of the original holes in the body as some of mine had corroded and I was grateful for the opportunity to drill new holes slightly lower than the original ones. The lower vent can be fitted as a direct replacement but the top vent will need the upper and lower plastic flanges dressed back 2mm otherwise they will protrude above and below the line of the panel.

Post by **Mocki** » 27 Jun 2008, 08:48

rainbow conversions

i have the above vents and covers on my Leisuredrive, and can confirm they do indeed stop the draughts and damp, and fit better than the original vents- however, if you dont have the massive holes already cut, you are better off, they dont need them in this country, dont even consider cutting vent holes this massive if you are about to fit or upgrade fridges.........especially the lower one, which isnt needed at all, imo

Post by **AngeloEvs** » 27 Jun 2008, 08:59

I agree Mocki, unless you are using the gas option in hot climates you don't need such large vents. I have the cover on the lower vent on all the time and the fridge works a treat. Others may disagree.

Post by **1664** » 27 Jun 2008, 12:36

Do they fit Komet vents?

Post by **AngeloEvs** » 27 Jun 2008, 12:53

Pretty sure they will, the original ones are approx. 360mm x 136mm (the vent itself not the hole) plus or minus a mm or two. If yours matches the picture of the replacement in appearance and the dimensions just stated then you have the same vent as the Kameo/Karisma/Kamper models. Be very suprised if yours were different.

Post by **1664** » 27 Jun 2008, 12:59

AngeloEvs wrote:Be very suprised if yours were different.

That would just be the continuing story of my life

I'll check though

Post by **Donald360** » 28 Jun 2008, 18:07

I have the small vent for the fridge exhaust on my van, but no other vents. Should I be thinking about cutting holes in the side and fitting fridge vents? Are they necessary?

Donald (fae sunny Fife - haha)

Post by **AngeloEvs** » 28 Jun 2008, 18:25

If thats how the van was originally converted then no! Some conversions have the air circulating under and over the fridge, yours may have internal vents. Electrolux do recommend in their fitting instructions that the rear of the fridge be isolated from the interior and external vents should be used. However, the lower vent is also found under the floor on some conversions and the upper vent is the only visible one on the outside. If yours is a Autohomes then I would have expected external vents but because of the potential corrosion problems caused by the external vents they may have been removed and sections welded into the panels. May be someone else with a 85 model Autohomes will enlighten us as to whether your van should have vents.

Post by **Mocki** » 28 Jun 2008, 19:58

think it also has a lot to do with the model of fridge installed from new too...... the little ones dont need the big vents...(nor do the big ones imo)