I have recently purchased a pair of Dometic winter vent covers which will also fit the existing Electrolux fridge vents. The question I want to know is are you supposed to fit the covers to the side vents when the caravan is in tow with fridge on 12 volts power or just when unhitched and on site operating the fridge on either gas or 240 volt mains electric hook up?
The one I used to have flipped off when I forgot to take them off before towing. It may be that they are a tighter fit now but I can't really see the need to risk them coming off for the short length of time that you would be towing compared with the difference they make to the operating of the fridge.
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They are really needed when the temperature gets down to around minus 10C if you are in the van using the fridge. During winter, when the van is standing unused, then use them to keep anything out wanting a warmer drier spot to overwinter!!
Phil
------------- If you're not on a fell your wasting your feet and for 2014 it's.......Feb Castleton Mar North Yors Moors; Apr Sutton on Sea; May Thirsk; Jun Clapham/Riverside (Lakes); July Wharfedale; August Crakehall; Sept Knaresborough; Oct Wirral Park/Clitheroe
Quote: Originally posted by cwdc56768 on 18/11/2012
They are really needed when the temperature gets down to around minus 10C if you are in the van using the fridge. During winter, when the van is standing unused, then use them to keep anything out wanting a warmer drier spot to overwinter!!
Phil
Thanks Phil but when you say minus 10C do you mean -10C below freezing or actually below +10C degrees? I thought the time to use the winter vents was when it was below +10C.
i tow with mine on all the time,including on 12v.most times i forget to take them off when i get there and it does not cause any problems.normally hand book says fit when outside temp is minus 10 .
------------- the only silly question is the one you do not ask.
Not taking our covers this weekend up in Durham. Should be about +6C this time of year. Probably leave the jumpers at home as well!!!!!
Phil
------------- If you're not on a fell your wasting your feet and for 2014 it's.......Feb Castleton Mar North Yors Moors; Apr Sutton on Sea; May Thirsk; Jun Clapham/Riverside (Lakes); July Wharfedale; August Crakehall; Sept Knaresborough; Oct Wirral Park/Clitheroe
Just fitted my Dometic winter covers and must admit when fitting did not think they would survive a tow. They are a good fit when static but I think I will be removing them before any journey.
The Dometic fridge vent covers have five clips on that fit on to the original caravan vents. The top 3 clips slot into the top and the bottom 2 twist and connect the whole vent cover to the existing ones. What they do is cover about 85% of the original vent so there is still a gap at the bottom allowing ventilation for the operation of the caravan fridge. They are used for winter caravanning to stop over cooling of the fridge so that the fridge operates more effectively in cold temperatures below 10 degrees celcius according to my handbook. What it doesn't state is whether you are supposed to use them whilst the caravan is in tow on 12 volt supply which was my original question. However, I won't fix them till I get on site but you can see the pair of Dometic / Electrolux vents in the link below.
Quote: Originally posted by michael on 18/11/2012
i tow with mine on all the time,including on 12v.most times i forget to take them off when i get there and it does not cause any problems.normally hand book says fit when outside temp is minus 10 .
i just do as the bailey handbook say's to do.
------------- the only silly question is the one you do not ask.
I have had a look in my Haynes 'Caravan Handbook' and it says to fit the winter vents when the temperature decreases to 10 C (50 F) or below but what it doesn't tell you is exactly when to fit them ie. on 12 volts in transit or just on Gas or EHU on site. It just states that these covers are made by the manufacturers ie. Electrolux / Dometic for over cooling of the fridge in cold weather. I have never actually used winter vents before but I read a thread on this forum about them, looked in my handbook and then decided to get some for when we go out at new year as I can guarantee it will be down to 3 C at least.
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Topic: Fridge Winter Vent Covers
