New Fridge, Ventilation Question

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windysurfer
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New Fridge, Ventilation Question

Post by windysurfer »

I've just fitted a new 3 way fridge in my van

I've gone from this 240v fridge
[IMG:768:1024]http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z242 ... GE_018.jpg[/img]

Also had to remove my Smev grill to get the new fridge in
:cry:

to this 3 way fridge

[IMG:1024:819]http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z242 ... GE_038.jpg[/img]

I've lifted the fridge up 2" to help with airflow and to allow my flue to fit on the swage line on the outside of the van

[IMG:1024:819]http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z242 ... GE_037.jpg[/img]

I really don't want to cut any more holes in the side of my van for ventilation if I can help it so I've put a vent on the side of my unit
[IMG:1024:819]http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z242 ... GE_039.jpg[/img]

I'm also looking to fit a 12v thermo controlled fan to help blow the hot air out of this vent.

I've seen a few vans which only have a flue venting to the out side so my question is how do they vent all the hot air out.

I did run the fridge on Gas yesterday and it seemed to build up quite a bit of heat behind the fridge.

Any idea on how to improve the ventilation or should I just bite the bullet and fit a top vent to the outside?

Also is is safe to use a lenght of eber exhaust in place of the ridged flue tube as this would allow me to fit the fridge a bit lower.

Opinions please

cheers

Gaz
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kevtherev
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Post by kevtherev »

well there seems to be a good airflow around the fridge.

however you can improve the efficiency a bit more by fitting that fan... like from a PC at the top vent... assisting the natural flow of hot air

I would leave the fridge where it is personally as the gap is good for drawing cool air in.

though you can use the flexy tubing.. I think shepsters done this.



nice job!
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Post by Stefvan »

I would bite the bullet, I would be asking myself if I need one or two vents... but see how you get on and how cool the fridge gets and whether for instance it makes the van stuffy and hot
just my 2p worth

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windysurfer
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Post by windysurfer »

The fridge has been on 240v all day and has frozen the ice tray OK.

It's not really been a warm day so not a conclusive test but the van wasn't boiling hot when I opened the door. The metal on the hob above the fridge was warm to the touch.

Going to see how it goes when I've fitted a couple of fans before cutting a vent to the outside.

If I then decide to vent to the outside it will only be the upper vent.

Fingers crossed for cold beer :lol:
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Post by scamperman »

Just a thought but have you also got a gas drop hole under the fridge just in case you should ever have a gas leak?

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windysurfer
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Post by windysurfer »

Not yet.

Fridge has to come back out to fit fans and to fit some mesh to tidy up the gap at the bottom.

I'm not sure exactly where to put it. does it matter where it is?

The gas supply connects on the top right hand side of the fridge if that makes any difference.

I have one in my gas bottle locker but that is enclosed so the gas, should it leak, had no where to go but out the hole but a gas leak from the fridge could just come passed any hole could it not?
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kevtherev
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Post by kevtherev »

right under the burner is a good spot for a hole...

Mine has a letterbox style slot... which also allows the condensation to drip straight out...and cool air to flow in

then the bottom of the fridge has no vents :wink:

remember this the more air that flows over the exchangers the more efficient these babies get
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windysurfer
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Post by windysurfer »

cheers Kev under the burner it is!

Right ,where the hole saw ( must remember to have a look underneath van to see whats there BEFORE drilling my hole) :wink:
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Tex Ritter
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Post by Tex Ritter »

I modified my top external vent to take 2 X 12v fans, they operate on a device that allow the fans to vary their speed from off, slow, through to fast as and when required, they have a switch to turn them off altogether at night.
Fridge never has a problem cooling, even in extreme heat down at the Med.

I made a larger vent hole in the floor under the fridge (with baffle), rather than have an unsightly grill on the bottom half of the exterior panel.
My fridge is completely isolated/cocooned from the van interior.

TR
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High Peaker
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Post by High Peaker »

You always need two vents - one high and one low, regardless of whether they are internal or external.
That way, the space behind the fridge cools by convection - i.e. hot air rises and goes out of the upper vent, drawing in cold air to replace it through the lower vent.
This convection can be assisted as you say by adding a fan (forced air convection) for very hot climates.
Your pictures certainly show sufficient cross sectional area.
The choice of whether you go for internal or external vents is entirely down to whether you want the hot air to heat the van (great for the Lake District), or vent directly outside (better for Med).

Hope that helps.
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Post by moonshine »

I am awaiting delivery of exactly the same fridge as windysurfers,a 60 litre waeco.
Its going in our multivan but will stand alone behind the (left hand) drivers seat.I am slightly concerned with ventilation,as plan to use gas when not on 12v,and have no intention of fitting a flu.....can I use a flexi pipe as previously mentioned to vent gases out of either the window above the fridge or out the door?
The fridge will be standing on the carpet,so should I look to raise it up to allow air underneath it?
Sorry if this is a little hijacky,I've only used a mini fridge in our camper unit til now.
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kevtherev
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Post by kevtherev »

moonshine wrote:.I am slightly concerned with ventilation,as plan to use gas when not on 12v,and have no intention of fitting a flu.....can I use a flexi pipe as previously mentioned to vent gases out of either the window above the fridge or out the door?
The fridge will be standing on the carpet,so should I look to raise it up to allow air underneath it?
Sorry if this is a little hijacky,I've only used a mini fridge in our camper unit til now.

firstly if you vent gas out of a window ..whats stopping it coming back in?

Flues get effing hot and flues are there, where they are, for a reason..safe venting of a killer gas

the flexi pipe you mention was to redirect the gas a few centimetres up to fit a flue outlet above the swage line

not have it dangling out of a window.
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Post by moonshine »

ah...oh bum....
didn't realise they get proper hot!!!
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windysurfer
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Post by windysurfer »

Tex Ritter wrote:I modified my top external vent to take 2 X 12v fans, they operate on a device that allow the fans to vary their speed from off, slow, through to fast as and when required,


Where did you get this device. I have seen a cooling fan and thermo switch
at some camping shops but would rather make my own using ultra quite PC fans but can't find anything to controll when they come on and off

cheers

Gaz
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Tex Ritter
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Post by Tex Ritter »

windysurferuk wrote:
Tex Ritter wrote:I modified my top external vent to take 2 X 12v fans, they operate on a device that allow the fans to vary their speed from off, slow, through to fast as and when required,


Where did you get this device. I have seen a cooling fan and thermo switch
at some camping shops but would rather make my own using ultra quite PC fans but can't find anything to controll when they come on and off

cheers

Gaz

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