Club 80-90 Forums

ive been given a gas powered fridge by a friend,
Has anyone got any experience using one of these in a van? are they any good, how much gas do they use and are there any safety concerns ie carbon monoxide poisoning, fire etc,
It seems in reasonably good nick, just thought id get some second opinions

They work very well, and use very little gas - there's only a small flame involved. They're pretty common equipment in campers (most often as a '3 way' fridge - gas, 12v and 240v). They're safe if correctly installed.

sounds good, have you ever installed one tho? i have no idea even how it works, im told it runs off gas/ 12v
Tried in vain to find a manual on the web?

I've removed mine from the van, fixed it, and reinstalled it, but I've not installed one in a van that previously didn't have one. There are a number of people here that have, though, I'm sure - have a search, or hopefully one will come along soon.

At the back of the fridge you will notice a flue, this has to go outside via a proper flue outlet. This will make it safe to use in the van.

what make or model fridge is it?

heres the installation manual for a 3 way fridge
http://www.club80-90.co.uk/pages/downlo ... xRM122.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
hope its some help

Its an Electrolux RM120
Thanx lloydy, ive now found the correct manual
Ive had a look and ive found the flu on the back, the manual also says a vent must be cut into the floor!!
Dont think i like the idea of cutting holes in my van

I guess if it was run off only 12V this would not be a problem?, i have already installed a second (camping) battery and run the stereo/amp and interior lights off this.

if you've got a hob or propex heater, you will most likely have a sink hole or two [ lpg sinks if it leaks, so needs somewhere to escape] . You will also need ventilation cut into side of van, maybe even two vents. My van has four holes just for the fridge, then theres the propex, hob, mains hook up,water filler, waste water outlet, kinda like swiss cheese
The fridges 12v is run off the starter battery, and from what i've heard will flatten it in no time, gas is much better

You will only be able to run it off 12v with the engine running as it likes amps, and would drain a battery in under an hour

there will be no need to cut big holes in the floor just a three inch sink hole if you don't already have one.
all you need is the flue.
the heat exchangers work by convection, so you have to let air circulate behind the fridge.
from the bottom to the top, so a gap at either end will suffice

the more ventilation there is to the exchangers the more efficient the thing is

Got a question that I may as well tag on to this thread rather than start a new thread.

I've got a westy and I've had to replace the westy specific fridge. The old westy fridge was one of the ones with the manual pump / sealed combustion chamber but I've bought a newer westy fridge.

The thing I've noticed that I dont have a hole in the floor (I can remember one being in my old westy that had the newer fridge from factory)....Do i need one directly under the floor or would the hole where the sink pipe used to drain be sufficent?

Dont really want to be putting holes in my floor

if your fridge fails and pumps heavier than air CO into your van it will fill it up while your asleep and kill you and your family
A three inch sink hole is a small price to pay for your life ...

your choice

westy specific fridge

westfalia never made fridges, electrolux, now Dometic, do.

kevtherev wrote:if your fridge fails and pumps heavier than air CO into your van it will fill it up while your asleep and kill you and your family
A three inch sink hole is a small price to pay for your life ...

your choice

westy specific fridge

westfalia never made fridges, electrolux, now Dometic, do.

I never said they did make them but they are Westy specific fridges (182 & 184) because no other fridges fit the cabinet

So why wasnt there one before....was it due to the combustion chamber being sealed?

I guess gas regs change over the years.
some countries are more lax than others

ok you say westy specific, I say RM 184, RM 122, 212 etc

Thanks for the advise guys, i haven't got any pre made holes, its a panel van conversion, or at least its going to be.
dont think i want to go cutting holes into it just yet! might just use it as a glorified cool box

You only actually need to cut one small hole for the flue - the air vents can open to the van interior.