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Motorhomersimpson · Moderator

Hi Mike,

I too have a Thetford F/F, I looked into this for mine, if you use this link, then select your area, dealers will be listed.

spykal · Moderator

Hi

I do not have any covers for the vents on my electrolux fridge, I have seen them for sale but up until now we have not used the van very much in the winter. Last winter on the few occasions we ventured out the fridge did its job , no problem, but there were draughts from around the fridge when the wind blew against that side of the van. This year we do plan to use the van a lot more so during the summer I have sealed all the gaps around the fridge so hopefully we will not be worried by draughts when we get out in the van this winter.

Just how much of the vent do the covers cover, if you have some please let me know. I have seen it suggested that aluminium foil can be used to shut off the vents in the winter. I am not sure if this would be Ok but I am sure that I can make some covers cheaper than the £20 they want at the local caravan shop. If anyone has made some please post how you did it.
Are both covers the same? or is there a top and a bottom?

Mike

Motorhomersimpson · Moderator

Hi Mike,

Good point, I’m wondering this as well.

This is on the thetford site; it applies to most I assume.

[quote:7f01f1ba42]We advise to use Thetford winter covers on the ventilation grills from 8 degrees Celsius and down. Winter covers can be obtained as an accessory from your dealership.[/quote:7f01f1ba42]

Homer.....Rob Very Happy

Boff

Hi Mike!

[quote:f062288752="spykal"]Just how much of the vent do the covers cover, if you have some please let me know.[/quote:f062288752]

They cover about 80% of the vent.

Plus that the upper cover does [b:f062288752]not at all[/b:f062288752] cover the right side of the vent where the exhaust of the gas burner comes out. Keep that in mind if you make your own. I don't know where Thetford fridges have their exhaust (my "Electrolux" has it on the right side of the upper vent), but it [b:f062288752]must not be covered[/b:f062288752] under any circumstances.

Best Regards,
Gerhard

spykal · Moderator

Thanks Boff

I can now think about making some covers. I had already decided that since the existing fitted permanent covers are very easy to remove I might just put some type of covering on the inside of them. I have taken them out a couple of times to dust around the burner and to clean away the black streaks that always seeem to form around the vent.

Going back to last winter and earlier this summer...our fridge was not very well "room sealed" so when a strong wind was blowing onto that side of the van I was sure I could detect gas fumes in the van. I think that the fumes just came out of the chimmney and were blown back into the top vent and then into the van. I have since sealed all the gaps around the fridge with silicone sealant and the problem is solved. The gas flame is very small on a fridge so I do not think we were in any real danger of CO poisoning.. we like fresh air anyway so the windows and roof vents are always open, but in a smaller vehicle it could pose a problem.

Thanks again for the 80% coverage info

Mike

spykal · Moderator

Hi again

I have done the job, took out the ordinary covers, stuck two strips of silver "DucK" tape on the back of each covering the back of five of the nine vent slots. I could have stuck the tape on the front but it would have looked "untidy".

All I have to do in the spring is remember to take off the tape.

I will give it a try, any problems and I will report back Wink

Mike