Club 80-90 Forums

Hi All

I may have made a major school boy error, I have just had a total body work restorations carried out on my T25 and just realised that I may replace the entire interior now, my concern is that the original fridge was a three way fridge and the body had been cut to facilitate the extractor vent I cant remember if the fridge actually connects to the vent or is just aligned to it.

My wife would like a new fridge but conscious that it may not align with the existing hole in the panel of the van.

Any thoughts ?

Also what fridge would people recommend to replace the original Electrolux's if I do proceed.

The 3-way fridge just aligns with the vent but the gas burner is connected or passes through the panel. Officially there should be a an upper and lower vent, exhaust for the gas burner + a drop vent in the floor in the event of a gas leak. Often there is a just a upper vent + the exhaust. If it been installed well the compartment should sealed against the panel either side to keep the drafts down in the rest of the van.

You can get a new 3-way (now made by Dometic) but many people get a compressor fridge these days and ditch the vents and bodywork holes. You'll need a decent sized leisure battery and ideally a solar panel for a compressor. Bit noisier, probably safer, definitely easier to install.

Officially there should be a an upper and lower vent,
"officially" ?
No there shouldnt,
flue out yes
gas drop out yes
as for sealing to body ,well that depends on choice of installation and many other factors
mm

You do NOT need any big holes cut in your van side , other than the flu vent and a drop vent for gas safety
As long as the fridge can take cool air from below and it can exit above .
When I built mine I ensured that there was airflow from below and exit above my interior furniture.

When I did my interior refit I made the decision not to refit the 3 way fridge and used a 12v/240v Waeco compressor fridge. Best interor upgrade I have ever carried out, no vents required, very low current consumption, freezes in all temperatures, not affected by parking on slopes and frees up interior space. Ours is a top loader which is fully portable, the only downside is they are expensive but worth every penny......

‘Officially’ OK, perhaps poor choice of word, but most of the ‘official’ Electrolux / Dometic install guides for absorption fridges recommend a lower and upper vent for them to work with the greatest efficiency. They can struggle when it gets really hot in a hot van. Compressor does seem to be the way forward.

My problem is I still have the hole in the side of the van from when it was converted from new, if I had thought about it before the whole van was painted I should have had it welded up, looks like I am stuck with the old fridge and a
custom made cupboards to ensure the fridge stays were it was with the original interior.

If only I had thought about it before bugger.

Is this any use. Don't know anything about them but might be cheaper alternative to electrolux and dometic.
Never used one but hopefully someone on here might have one.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Caravan-Motorh ... B076XD1DM8" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

By the way, I have two little computer fans ontop of my fridge
Operated by a switch on the front panel

Although I had decided not to refit the 3 way fridge and get a compressor fridge I left the upper large vent and the smaller flue vent in place in case a future owner would prefer to fit a 3 way type. The two vents were sealed from the inside with plastic sheet and duck tape so easily removed if necessary. I fitted a new vent with clip on cover from Rainbow Conversions so it isn't absolutely essential to seal the vents internally.

Thanks both for the advice much appreciated, I think I will stay with the original fridge and vent, will make sure I test it first before getting the cupboards.