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Can fridge be vented through van louvre vents?
Posted: 11 Mar 2010, 13:08
by jiffies
I have a brand new Dometic 3 way fridge, Dometic recommend 2 x large external vents cut in the side of the van. The top vent is too deep to sit within the contours of the panel & it needs to be above the fridge condenser unit. I do know that the top vent is simply to let warm air out.
I stumbled across a T4 forum where a guy vented to the atmosphere via a pipe to the louvre vent in the van side panel. Anybody have any experience of this.
The bottom vent will be as Dometic spec. (Around 450x150mm) Large enough for a baby elephant to crawl in your bus!!
Any advise will be appreciated
Cheers
Jiffies
Re: Can fridge be vented through van louvre vents?
Posted: 11 Mar 2010, 14:56
by AngeloEvs
I suppose you could also improve this idea by using a small computer type fan to assist the air flow. I cannot see any reason why using the engine vents would be a problem except may be in hot climates.
Re: Can fridge be vented through van louvre vents?
Posted: 11 Mar 2010, 18:40
by windysurfer
I vented mine inside the van so only have the exhaust going out the side.

I've fitted one of these behind the top vent, this helps to draw the cooler air in under the fridge
http://www.the12voltshop.co.uk/Shop/ven ... 7351-.html
Works really well
Re: Can fridge be vented through van louvre vents?
Posted: 11 Mar 2010, 20:06
by jiffies
Windy surfer
So once the temp gets too hot controlled by thermostat the fans turn on & draw colder air up?
Re: Can fridge be vented through van louvre vents?
Posted: 11 Mar 2010, 20:56
by windysurfer
correct, the temp at which the fans come on is adjustable,or there is a manual switch
Re: Can fridge be vented through van louvre vents?
Posted: 11 Mar 2010, 21:27
by jiffies
So I guess I could use the same principle then if i want to vent outside through the lourve van vents. Small fan on thermostat with pipe to back of louvre vent. As suggested by others. It would be a whole lot easier if I just bought a much smaller external top vent where it should be allowing warm air out of the van.
Re: Can fridge be vented through van louvre vents?
Posted: 31 Mar 2010, 16:33
by High Peaker
You can get combined top vents, which have a small spigot to attach the flue, and the rest is just open vent for cooling airflow.
Mine has a grill covered slot about 1.5 inches high at the top and bottom of the fridge door, so it draws and expels cooling air from inside the van, similar concept to Windysurfer's. Only the fume flue vents to the outside.
Perhaps it's just my miserable disposition, but I have NEVER been camping when too much heat is a problem! I really should avoid northern mountains.
Re: Can fridge be vented through van louvre vents?
Posted: 31 Mar 2010, 17:50
by horns
Venting inside the van was good enough for Westfalia...
Re: Can fridge be vented through van louvre vents?
Posted: 31 Mar 2010, 19:02
by kevtherev
and Devon
Re: Can fridge be vented through van louvre vents?
Posted: 31 Mar 2010, 19:46
by Willoughby
and Danbury.
Re: Can fridge be vented through van louvre vents?
Posted: 31 Mar 2010, 20:53
by kevtherev
and Diamond RV
Re: Can fridge be vented through van louvre vents?
Posted: 31 Mar 2010, 21:13
by horns
I guess its probably ok then!
