Broadway Thetford Fridge

We bought our Broadway LPTBEK in December and it's just over 1 year old. We tried it out a couple of weekends to get the feel of it and all went well so we then set off for Italy.

All was well as we travelled south and stopped over each night but when we were on site and stationary for a few days we found that the fridge was not working. It's the Thetford N3000 fully automatic and switches between the various supplies but I could not get it to work even on manual.
The element at the rear was very hot but the inside of the Fridge was not cooling. 
We found a local Thetford dealer yes he was Italian and no he didn't speak English and arranged to drop by and his first reaction was that it had not been installed correctly, the gap behind the Fridge and the outside vents was to big and not creating a chimney effect. He did fit a couple of pieces of wood inside to try and create the same draw but unfortunately it did not work so a couple of days later we went back to see him again and the only option was to fit a little extractor fan and a neat controller inside the van. 
This has made a big difference and it works fine and with the setting on high the fridge was down to zero degree's so I have dropped the setting down to half way and it's holding at about 6 degs.
It appears that while we were on the move the fridge vent worked OK due to the air flow but when we were stationary the problem appeared.
My question is does anyone else have the same problem or come across this issue as all the Broadway's would normally be installed the same?
Tony

My Lancashire should be essentially the same layout and I have no problems but I did install a small fan to assist the cooling when I went to Southern France last year after I had been concerned at the heat coming out of the top vent in Spain.
See https://www.autosleeper-ownersforum.com/t11373-fridge-fan-update?

I've fitted a double fan on my last 2 motorhomes after having trouble with fridges working in high temperatures abroad.

John.

We have a 2 year old Broadway FB, but the fridge seems to work ok, except when it is very hot. I would be interested to see a few pictures of your fan installation, its something I have considered, to try and get the fridge more efficient on a really hot day, like, just when you need it to be!
Allan

There are now ready-made fan kits (obviously dearer than DIY but for the less DIYers amongst us) ...

http://www.rainbow-conversions.co.uk/fridge-vents/vento-12v-electronic-fridge-fan-126-p.html

http://www.outdoorbits.com/manhattan-double-fridge-fan-p-1880.html

http://www.outdoorbits.com/fridge-flow-fan-p-81.html

Thanks, I might have to buy one of those non diy kits......

Allan

I bought my kit from CAK tanks 4 years ago and just transferred it to my Broadway, last week in Benidorm 40 degrees and fridge worked just fine.

John.

Hi guys
We had outside temperatures at about 27/28 degs and the fridge was useless but on having the fan kit installed the fridge worked fine and I can keep the temperature at a constant 6 degs with the setting in the middle.
We have actually moved further south near Rome now and the temperature has dropped to the low 20's and the fridge is still working well and the automatic fan has not been switching on at all.
Something to consider though if your travelling a warmer climate. 
Tony