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Topic: draughty electrolux caravan fridge

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kazbat

22/10/2019 at 5:17pm
Location: newcastle upon tyne
Outfit: Bailey Ranger 460 2

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Hi Guys
I have a Bailey Ranger 460/2 2000 and when the wind is hitting the side of the van the draught from behind the kitchen units is horrendous and blooming cold! On researching this I have concluded that the back of the fridge isn't sealed properly. I am a complete novice so could someone explain to me what I need to do like I am a ten year old please :) apparently I need to take off the outside vents? and put gaffa tape around where please? If anyone has a pic that would be even better!

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Pickled Onion

22/10/2019 at 7:59pm
Location: Near Alton Towers
Outfit: Bailey+Burgundy+S7+H

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You can buy vent covers that clip over the originals to reduce air flow and heat loss in the winter. However your set-up may be like mine was with a great gaping hole behind the fridge to allow cables and water pipes etc to be installed. I jammed a wad of foam rubber in that gap to prevent wind blowing through it into the living space. You can carefully remove the outside covers by undoing the sliding clip at (usually)the left hand side, and inspecting the back of the fridge.

Don't fully cover the outside vents with tape or anything else, air does need to circulate in at the bottom and out at the top one plus of course the gas fumes (if using gas) need to vent outside.

Dave.

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tango55

22/10/2019 at 8:06pm
Location: Lichfield
Outfit: Coachman Amara 450

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The fridge vents are there to assist the fridge to breathe and for the carbon monoxide fumes to escape (when operated by gas) so it's bad practice to seal them off. I would suggest attaching a pair of detachable fridge winter vent covers to the existing ones first as that should minimise the draught but don't be inclined to leave them on permanently as they are designed better fridge functioning when the temperature drops below 10 degress or less. It's merely a suggestion to try and reduce the draught and nothing more.

Thetford Vent Covers

navver

22/10/2019 at 8:36pm
Location: West country
Outfit: Mondeo

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That van should have removable vent covers. Have yours been removed and not refitted. They have large plastic screwheads which you can easily put a coin in to turn. They turn about 90 degrees I think.

The removed covers may be sitting inside the wardrobe or gas locker or somewhere else.

Something like this pic.

https://www.grasshopperleisure.co.uk/ekmps/shops/grasshopper/images/dometic-ls100-........

kazbat

via mobile 22/10/2019 at 10:33pm
Location: newcastle upon tyne
Outfit: Bailey Ranger 460 2

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Thanks guys, I had 1 cover when I bought the van in 2004 but it never fastened on, so something must be broken somewhere or it wasn't the right one. It is permanently sited now and I am south (ish) facing so the wind usually hits me head on and it is only a problem when an easterly blows so they wouldnt be on all the time and I have never used either the gas fire or the fridge on gas..... I just do not trust it. I can't seem to find any covers that would fit

what a pickle lol

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If I can tow a caravan then anyone can!

Pickled Onion

23/10/2019 at 9:50am
Location: Near Alton Towers
Outfit: Bailey+Burgundy+S7+H

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I think your fridge make is now called Dometic, vent covers are available but seem very expensive for what they are see link but perhaps you could pick up a pair second hand on Fleabay or Preloved? Look in the fridge at the back behind the salad drawer and find the model number then use that in the link to find yours.

Dave

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chrisn7

23/10/2019 at 1:52pm
Location: West Yorkshire
Outfit: Bessacarr 835

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Fridge vents covers are fine to use but only once outside temp falls to less than 8C, otherwise the gubbins at the back will overheat!

The cavity in which the fridge is installed is supposed to be sealed to the body in case of fume leakage. Older fridges are vented directly outside, whilst newer vans are actually vented into the space behind the fridge.

Its often the case that cold air gets into the van via the fitting clearance gap to the sides and top of the fridge. You might try something like draught excluder foam tape which is easily pushed into place, but no permanent seals in case the fridge has to be removed.

Also check the sides of the cavity are indeed sealed to body/ worksurfaces etc

kazbat

via mobile 23/10/2019 at 8:01pm
Location: newcastle upon tyne
Outfit: Bailey Ranger 460 2

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chrisn7, is that the gap around the fridge on the inside of the van? It also blows a hooley through the cupboard next to the fridge and the cooker too! I have made a contraption 😂 i have sewn some awning beading to a piece of tarp that is wider than the vents outside and I plan to drop it down over the vents and peg it to the ground underneath the van. I think this will stop the wind hitting the vents as much but still be loose enough to allow the vents to do their job? It is going to look pretty naff but I have to try something 😂😂 I will let you know how it goes!! Failing that I will try and hunt down some vents, thanks pickled onion!

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If I can tow a caravan then anyone can!

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