Winter covers on absorption fridges

[Fisherman]

Something came to my notice whilst reading through my Dometic fridge instructions online regarding winter covers. I know some don’t use them, but that’s not what I want to get involved in.

What struck me was when using mains or battery to power the fridge you can use covers in both lower and upper vents, but not when using gas. When using gas you must only use a vent cover in the lower vent. This is to allow the carbon monoxide to escape to the fresh air, and not find its way into your van. Something I was ignorant of as will possibly be the same for some others on here.

 

[barryd]

I used them for the first time last winter on this new to us van. I knew about the gas thing though but assumed both had to be off for gas. The main reason I put them on though was to stop all the crap getting blown in the vents over winter on the drive. Im sure thats what always knackered our old fridge on the old van.

 

[Wooie1958]

Older ones Bill had a separate vent for the fridge flue so you do use them on the top vent as well with those models on gas.

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Dometic LS100 Top Vent Winter Cover. Avoid an energy-wasting heat build-up behind your fridge with the Dometic ventilation system. The upper ventilation system consists of a mounting frame, a ventilation grille and a winter cover. Fridge Vents, Caravan motorhome campervan Fridge vents, CARAVAN /...

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[Fisherman]

On this new van the fridge came with two winter covers. I was surprised at this as I had to buy them separately for my two previous vans. I find they help in cold weather below 5c.
The instructions I got with the van made no mention of this, but when I went online I found more extensive instructions which did mention it.

 

[wildebus]

I wonder if there are different designs of Winter Vents? Some that fully close off the grill and others that allow partial ventilation?

 

[colinm]

One of the first things I would check is if the fridge is room sealed, i.e. do you get draughts down the side of fridge, it surprising how many vans have poorly fitted fridges.

 

[Fisherman]

I wonder if there are different designs of Winter Vents? Some that fully close off the grill and others that allow partial ventilation?

The ones I have don’t fully close the grill David. There’s a gap top and bottom to allow some air to pass, they restrict the airflow. I don’t think completely closing the vents would be an option, but I may be wrong.

 

[wildebus]

The ones I have don’t fully close the grill David. There’s a gap top and bottom to allow some air to pass, they restrict the airflow. I don’t think completely closing the vents would be an option, but I may be wrong.

just wondering if that could be a reason for saying not to use on gas?
I have a winter cover fitted to my top vent in order to cut down draughts into van, and also put cardboard to block the vent inside (belts and braces ), but I am running electric only fridge

 

[Geek]

The area behind the fridge should be a sealed area open to outdoors but not indoors. So there should be no draughts. If there are, fix them instead of adding covers.

Mine has fine mesh behind the louvres of the vents, so muck can't blow in.

I have never ever used vent covers. Fridge seems fine in temperatures between -20 and +40 without them.

I did have vent covers with a previous van. It had a really badly fitted fridge that hardly worked.

There were pipes and cables behind it, so it was a swine to seal, but I managed it I the end, using aluminium sheet, cardboard and aluminium foil tape.

Never did try using the vent covers. At least the dun didn't bleach them.

 

[Wooie1958]

This is about the older LS100 vents.

Look at the last 2 photos in this Ebay listing i.e. front and back, it clearly shows that when the vent is fitted there are still slots along the bottom for air to enter.

You can also see the flue vent cover is separate and in place all the time, the bottom vent cover applies the same priciple as the top vent cover but is the full width of the vent opening.

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[Wooie1958]

On the older ones the temperature was 8 C and you are supposed to put them on and off accordingly.

I followed Dometic`s advice and did that which was a bit of a faff sometimes but they only take a few seconds to put on and off and i think it did genuinely make a difference IMHO using them as advised.

These companies put time and money into researching this sort of thing and wouldn`t waste their money unnecessarily.

The coice is yours but if you don`t and you get problems with your fridge/freezer as they say ........................... don`t come running to us if you break your leg

 

[Drover]

I wonder if there are different designs of Winter Vents? Some that fully close off the grill and others that allow partial ventilation?

I think there are as I bought some dometic ones that fit inside the vent covers on mine.they do not cover the outside.they fit behind the mesh. Bit of a loose fit but they are inside..mine is a 2013 model chausson and I did have trouble finding the right size.