Should i insulate behind the fridge?

[oilybitz]

Hi,sorry if this has been covered before but i have done a search and can't find anything.I have stripped the interior out to refit etc and there is no insulation on the panel behind the fridge area,is this right? I am planning on using the silver bubble wrap,i assume this will be okay?

[kevtherev]

No..
you need to get rid of heat from the back of the fridge by radiation through the van body and the outside vent


Insulating would restrict the fridges ability to function efficiently and cool the heat exchangers

[oilybitz]

Cheers Kev,i thought that it must be missing for a reason.One other question,my fridge has not got a flue fitted,(previous owner must have removed it for some reason)is it just a case of some form of heating duct from the fridge to the vent?

[ninja.turtle007]

In a westy they there is insulation behind the fridge.

[1664]

In a westy they there is insulation behind the fridge.

A westy also has a fan to assist the cooling of the heat exchangers though....

One other question,my fridge has not got a flue fitted,(previous owner must have removed it for some reason)is it just a case of some form of heating duct from the fridge to the vent?

You most certainly do need a flue fitted if you're going to be running it on gas as this ensures the exhaust gases CO and H2O escape to the outside air instead of killing you and your loved ones.

here's a picture of mine taken from outside with the upper vent removed to allow access. The ringed area is where the metal flexible pipe attaches to the fridge



and another with the pipe disconnected

[Cruz]

No..
you need to get rid of heat from the back of the fridge by radiation through the van body and the outside vent


Insulating would restrict the fridges ability to function efficiently and cool the heat exchangers

Have had thermawrap on that panel for two years with no problems

[kevtherev]

OK but I stand by my theory, heat is radiated as well as convected
and we haven't had a hot summer in the last two years to test that cruz

What I do know in deepest hottest 33deg central europe that panel got quite warm on mine

[ninja.turtle007]

Mine is very well insulated all round. Bagged Rockwall and a layer of the foil bubble wrap stuff. I have up rated the fan on the fridge and this does run fairly often in hot weather. If the fridge comes out again which \I'm sure it will at some point I will be reducing the amount of insulation behind there.

[oilybitz]

Hmm,seems like opinion is split then...... i think i'll play safe and leave it without insulation

[Cruz]

I don't need to worry about mainland temps as my van won't be going abroad, except maybe wales

[kevtherev]

[oilybitz]

Cheers for the pics of the flue 1664

[jed the spread]

I personally wouldnt insulate behind the fridge. Even if it is in a bag after a year or so the thin plastic will give up and the moisture that is held in the rockwool/sponge/bag will give way and rot your floor out after a couple of years. You have a unit between yourselves and the inner skin of the van so no point anyway. Look at most Westys, there is a reason they have rotted behind the fridge, just dont do it. Two big plastic vents letting water in from the outside is even more crude in some UK conversions too.

jed

[dansimpson]

I don't need to worry about mainland temps as my van won't be going abroad, except maybe wales

Hehe, been there, done that, didnt get a tee shirt though

[Cruz]

When the furniture was out I covered the inside of the panel in sound deadening and then silver taped thermawrap bubble stuff to the panel