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I know the Winter Fridge Vent discussion can be found via the search engine but this is "slightly" different.
We have the large Dometic Fridge Freezer that has two vents approximately 480mm x 240mm wide in our new Van.
The strange thing is this, one of the vents (the top one), is more aligned with the Mini Oven rather than the Freezer.
In the high winds last weekend we noticed the draught for the first time, and thought perhaps we should buy some Vent Covers. But I am questioning if this is OK to do when the Van is likely to be used over the Winter, and I am also questioning it with regards to the top vent being more aligned to the Oven.
My question is should I fit them or not (and is it safe to do so)?
I immediately thought "My van's oven has no vent!, that can't be right" - yes fridge does but those vents are not close enough to be shared by the oven. Started by worrying....
Then I realised.... gas oven in the kitchen at home has no vent either! - So I stopped worrying!
I guess there must be something about the way gas ovens work that means they don't need vents.
So seems to me you would be fine to fit vent covers if my logic is right.
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Mark Elder, Other transport: RAV4.2 and a 993
New avatar soon...
Its normal to have two vents for a fridge and the fridge should be completely sealed so the noxious gas cannot enter the living area. I understand that some constructors are not vigilant about this. I think you need to check what the two vents do
______________________________________________________________ Richard
Happy Holidays to everyone for 2012
The above is only a personal opinion
I don't know this for a fact but my theory is that there are two vents, one above the other, to encourage air circulation - the hot air will rise and go out of the top vent, being replaced by fresh cooler air coming in the bottom vent (When we had our previous boiler fitted inside a cupboard in the kitchen, the same applied - outlet air vents at the top and a large inlet gap at the bottom of the doors).
As you seem already aware, vent covers are used to reduce (but not completely close off) the open area of the vents since a lower volume of air is required for cooling during winter months when the ambient air temperature is lower (assuming you're not somewhere hot!).
Next time I have the 'frig running on a calm day, I'll test this theory out using one of my vane/hot-wire anemometers . . .
______________________________________________________________ cheers
Roger
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I´m not really as paranoid as everyone thinks I am
Fridge vents shouldn't be used to control draughts. If you are sure it is coming via the fridge vents, it is likely the fridge has not been installed correctly. The fitting of vents is dependent on the outside air temperature, below 8/10C fit them, above, leave off. It is also recommended they are fitted when a motorhome is stored/laid up.
peedee
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Fridge vents shouldn't be used to control draughts. If you are sure it is coming via the fridge vents, it is likely the fridge has not been installed correctly. The fitting of vents is dependent on the outside air temperature, below 8/10C fit them, above, leave off. It is also recommended they are fitted when a motorhome is stored/laid up.
peedee
Hi,
I don't think as that will be the case (incorrectly fit fridge) as the lower one isn't at all draughty, but the higher one was in the very high winds of last weekend.
The first thing you need to do is remove the lower grille and have a look. There could be 2 possible reasons for the draught.
First, the rear of the fridge is not properly sealed off. A good way to check this is to wait until it is dark and get someone to shine a torch at the fridge (from inside the van) while you look through the vent hole. You will easily spot any gaps.
Secondly (although you do not say what van you have) you might have the same problem I have just had (while wilding in an exposed spot in the recent gales). We had a draught which I temporarily blocked with towels. When I got home, I removed the cover to find 2 water pipes and electric cabling running right through behind the kitchen area. the draught was nothing to do with a faulty fridge installation, it was getting around the kitchen units. It will be an easy fix when I get round to it.
BTW, an oven needs a flue, mine goes out through the roof.
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To clarify, the lower vent that is part of the fridge freezer is draught free.
It is the higher vent that is above the Fridge / Freezer (and behind the Oven) that was draughty (in very high winds / gales). My concern is more to do with it being safe to use a cover on the top vent due to the Oven.
The Van is an Itineo A Class.
Cheers
(ps I just took a look with a torch and you can't see any light at all around the Fridge / Freezer. But at the top there is plenty of light, from around the oven. I expected this though as it is a mini-Oven and is obvious from inside the Van that the vent is exposed).
Don.t know what van you have but on ours we have the 2 large vents in exactly the same place as yours but we have a flue with cowl above our oven/grill
i have put 2 covers on the lower vent and nothing on the top. an extractor fan is fitted to top vent for summer use
as roger black said we have it this way for circulation . cold in the bottom hot out the top so covers on the bottom restrict the cold flow
as for draughty oven we have the same where its not sealed and through some vents inside which we put tape over when not in use always better when not facing into the wind with that side of van
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