Fridge fitting

[Les Shoes]

Hi all,
I've finally made a start on my interior, I have somewhere to sleep!
Next I'm making a start on the side units, someone has already cut some big holes in the side of the van for a 3 way fridge so the fridge position has been decided for me and I need to build the rest of it around this.
I have recently read that the back of the fridge needs to be sealed from the living area but I'm unsure how to achieve this while still leaving the fridge easy to remove for servicing etc.
My loose plan was to make a platform for the fridge to sit on (hopefully with space for a propex umderneath) then a sheet of ply either side of the fridge profiled and stuck to the side of the van. I would then insulate and ply line the rest of the wall around this box, build the rest of the cupboards around it and finish it with a removable worktop to allow for servicing.
Do I need to actually seal around the fridge or if I box it in nice and snug is that enough?

[nordberg]

Fridges need ventilation so not sure where you got your info from (unless I'm misunderstanding you?) For a gas fridge you will need a flue that will exit the van, but I think that's what you are referring to when you say the van has holes cut in it? I will say that the rear elements of the fridge will make for a fair amount of condensation on the van panels nearest to the back of the fridge. Make sure you insulate this well as you are most certainly going to create a rust trap if not. This is common on most vans around the fridge area. I would recommend ousting the fridge on an annual basis to have a good look and make sure no rust is developing. Things can start to get very expensive if you let it get to the point where your panels are rusting through!

[Les Shoes]

Fridges need ventilation so not sure where you got your info from (unless I'm misunderstanding you?) For a gas fridge you will need a flue that will exit the van, but I think that's what you are referring to when you say the van has holes cut in it?

The van has large 2 sets of large holes covered with plastic vents for the fridge cooling and a seperate flue hole, I'll also drill a gas drop hole in the floor. I'll post a pic if I can find one, I'm away from home during the week.
I assume the sealing is to stop any breezes or stray exhaust gasses coming past the fridge into the living space.

[nordberg]

I have a Westy. I'm not familiar with other conversions if I'm honest but most or the three way fridges work on the same principal until you get to the compressor type. On a westy fridge it has a vent running along the front / bottom of the fridge and an exit vent along the back and to the top left at the back also. This is so the air can flow from bottom front, underneath the fridge, over the cooling fins at the back and out through the top left. I would assume that your conversion will rely on the square vents in the side of your van for ventilation of warm air to the he outside?

[Les Shoes]

I have a Westy. I'm not familiar with other conversions if I'm honest but most or the older models work on the same principal until you get to the compressor type. On a westy fridge it has a vent running along the front / bottom of the fridge and an exit vent along the back and to the top left at the back also. This is so the air can flow from bottom front, underneath the fridge, over the cooling fins at the back and out through the top left. I would assume that your conversion will rely on the square vents for ventilation to the outside of the van?

Yes, that's the plan, the large holes have the square vents over them on the outside.

[Les Shoes]

2015-10-02 15.58.48~2-480x719.jpg

Found an old picture to show the holes, there's lines of sealant around there so it looks like what I'm planning is what was done before.
So in a Westy the warm air goes into the living space? Great in the winter I reckon not so sure about the summer!

[nordberg]

I don't think they kick out a massive amount of heat. Summertime you can open doors and windows, but I don't think you would be cursing the fridge for what it kicks out. I have gone for a 12volt compressor fridge so no issue with gas.