I have recently purchased a 1993 VW Transporter Type4 Camper. It is an ENC Conversion. The fridge fitted is a three way Electrolux RM123E. The fridge has the required external exhaust flue for gas operation but it does not have the external cooling venting kit fitted. Instead it is cooled (or not) by internal vents situated above and below the fridge in the campervan. This results in hot air circulating in the campervan whenever the fridge is in use.
I also feel that the fridge is performing significantly below average. I base this opinion on experience of caravans which I have owned with similar fridges fitted with external vents. Is anyone else on the forum using a fridge without external vents ? Are you happy with the way it performs ? Could my problem be caused by something other than the venting system ? What advice would you offer? Should I go to the bother and expense of fitting external vents ?
My old T25 camper had no external vents, it looks neater & possibly prevents rust but as you say fridge performance is reduced because it has no cold air coming in from outside to cool things down. If you aint happy with it you will have to fit external vents. You may have noticed that a fan is sometimes fitted to top vent to improve circulation still further.
If you are removing fridge for maintanence stand it upside down for a hour, seems to improve performance, presumabley because it mixes the chemicals.
I really dont want to go to the bother of cutting 2 vents into the side of the van if there is not a lot to be gained..Obviously, the previous owners (it is a 1993 T4 after all) didnt see the need either.
I might decide to use it as it is for a while and see how the fridge works in practice before taking out the tin-snips !!!
The RM123 fridge must be vented to the outside. It will only work properly if the rear of the fridge is fully sealed from the living are of the van. If it is venting now into the van it could be very dangerous when operating on gas. Although you say it has the external flue, there is every possibilty that fridge exhaust fumes could enter the van living are with dire consequences.
To work correctly and efficiently, the cooling of the fridge system pipes at the rear is of maximum importance. In fact sometimes a small 12volt fan is introduced to boost the movement of air to get greater efficiency. You dont have to have both top and bottom side vents but you must have the top vent and either a bottom vent in the side or one in the floor at the back of the fridge of equal size. Do this and the fridge will work correctly
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Topic: Fridge Vents
