Fridge vents

[shepster]

I am about to install a 3 way Electrolux (now called Dometic) fridge in my van, the question is i realise the need for the exhaust/flue to be fitted but is it vital to fit the two large vents that i see on most campers.The reason i ask this is that when i bought my van it has only a 12v cool box in place but there is an 'Electrulux' exhaust vent on the side of the van with a piece of metal vent tube still attached to the inside which suggests there was a proper fridge fitted once upon a time but there are no other vents fitted.

[TYG]

I haven't fitted any of the large white vents to mine ,3 way , its work fine for over 2 years , i did however drill 2 large hole under the fridge to allow gas to escape just in case ,

[shepster]

Nice one, i nil to no vents then.

[cumbriankeith]

If you have the kind of fridge without air circulation grilles at top and bottom at the front, then you do need some other method of allowing the heat to escape from the workings at the back. All fridges are heat pumps - they pump heat from the storage area inside to the outside, where it has to be dissipated, either internally to inside the camper or outside via some form of vent. The need for ventilation is made even more important by the fact that these simple fridges use heat to create convection currents in the refrigerant gas/fluid inside the pipework so that the heat pump works.
So vents are needed - especially if your going to places with high ambient temperatures like southern Europe or even the UK in a heat wave. If you don't, then the fridge won't work efficiently and you will waste much of whatever source of energy is being used to run it.
Some of us have even installed extra fans to enhance this air flow in hot conditions.
See: this page for a good explanation.

[shepster]

Looks like i need them then, thought as much really i just didn't fancy cutting those big holes in my van.

[Westy.Club.Joker]

Another problem with not having vents/adequate sized vents is the heat casues condensation to form behind the fridge which casues rusted panels from the inside to the outside, also floor/sill member can rot through.

[cumbriankeith]

http://www.rustbuster.nl/Bus_zijpaneel/index1.htm

[kevtherev]

I don't think Shepster will be keen on a fridge vent this big

[Westy.Club.Joker]

Slightly off topic, but still on that side of the `van If you have a Westy with the opening side window above the sink unit, check the rubber seal for shrinkage at the lower corners. This will allow water to get in and run down inside the panel, with the outcome of that link Had some moisture problem with mine, I thought it was the water filler and hook-up socket leaking in, but after sealing those TWICE I then realised that it was coming from the window corners on the opener.

To sort it I have cut the window seal in the middle at the bottom and then glued the seal to the bodywork with silicone sealant, making sure that the seal is pushed well into the corners. The resulting 3/4" gap (that`s how much it`s shrunk) I have filled with a piece of rubber and some sealant, will replace the complete seal when I find some the right size.

[shepster]

I don't think Shepster will be keen on a fridge vent this big

Cures the venting issues though...............

[T'Onion]

the vents appear to be a no win situation ?

A look on the inside reveals the extent of the problem. After removing the rubber strip you can actually see through the panel from front to aft. The inside surface of the panel is also badly rusted and holes are starting to appear everywhere. As you can see the vent-grills served no purpose other than to hide rust. The horizontal reinforcement-bar had completely disintegrated. The cause of all this is water seeping in through the utility inlets. It then runs onto the floor and into the rocker panel. All of this happens completely out of sight (it's hidden behind the kitchen unit). Over time the rust will eat away the 'precious' metal that makes up the rocker and lower side. In this case some PO slapped on a thick layer of bondo and paint so the problem looked less serious but nothing was done to attack the source of the problem. Something that happens all too often.