Fridge vent covers

inspiredron wrote:

Askit wrote:Ron, that sounds about right. It's interesting on your last point that, after many articles on DIY fan kits for fridges, Thetford now offer one as an accessory. As with my point in the OP on winter covers, if the performance of the equipment is dependant on needing a fan, why are they not provided as standard? 

Answehrs on the back of a postage stamp to the usual address 

The fridges work perfectly well without a fan. However, in really hot conditions they will work more efficiently with a thermostatic fan. Since not everybody goes to Southern Spain why force everybody to pay for an accessory that a minority need. The same applies to winter covers - I use them for protection during the winter only.

I perceive that this forum is getting a lot of posts lately from folk looking for a free lunch. That used to be the position of another forum that is principally populated by moaners. Please don't let this forum degenerate in that way.
I don't know if A/S monitor it but, if they do, it will cease to influence them if it is used just as a way to publicise grievances.
Sorry - rant over!

Hi Ron.  I wonder if you would consider (since you include my post) your response to be either a moan or making a legitimate point.  I would consider I was making a legitimate point and not “moaning” but will leave the judgement of that to you and others. 
 
Since the prices of new vans are widely published, I’m sure you will have a good idea of how much ours cost when we purchased earlier this year with no trade in involved.  So, hardly someone looking for “a free lunch” then.  The issue of whether a fan is or isn’t provided to assist fridge operation in warmer temperatures (or if it’s necessary) is one thing.  Since you say you use a fan, I guess you also consider it was needed for some situations.  The omission of winter covers is another kettle of fish.  The Thetford handbook recommends fitting at 8c or below (or as we call it in Scotland, almost anytime that’s not summer ), when washing or when stored in winter. To me it’s like going in to buy a nice new Berghaus jacket and then being asked if I want to buy the hood in case it rains (which it also does occasionally in Scotland  ).

If A/S do monitor posts, I hope they would find a decent amount of balance.  They receive a fair degree of praise on the forum (and have from me) on what they do right, but surely they would learn as much from constructive criticism as well 

Sorry if I offended you, Askit. I should have put my second psragraph in a new post.
However, I stick to the point that I made in tbe first part of my post. You say yourself that your van is expensive. The Thetford fan kit is £40 - by the time A/S have added labour it could the add £80 to the cost of the van. You said that it should be standard but that implies that tbe price goes up by, say, £80 for everyone, whether or not they need a fan. I fitted mine at a cost of about £3 for the thermostat on eBay and specifically because I was travelling to S Spain in June 2014. It was not essential but i guess it helped use less gas. In June 2015 I was in S France and it hardly ever came on so it was "unnecessary". I would question your suggextion that a fan is needed to make the fridge work properly.

I have never needed to use winter covers to make the fridge work in cold weather and in 40 years of  caravans and motorhomes never felt the need for them. With the easily detachable Thetford vents it was simple to cut some bits of sheet vinyl to fit behind the vents to stop water and weather getting in when cleaning the van or over winter but I would not have paid £20 for a pair.
So - what I was trying to say was that I would not pay an extra £100 on the list price for sometbing that I may not need but could manufacture if required for less than a fiver. Are you happy to see an extra £100 on the price? Presumably you need them and would pay - but why force me to as well? I can buy an anorak without a hood if I want to, even if it is not a Berghaus.

inspiredron wrote:Sorry if I offended you, Askit. I should have put my second psragraph in a new post.
However, I stick to the point that I made in tbe first part of my post. You say yourself that your van is expensive. The Thetford fan kit is £40 - by the time A/S have added labour it could the add £80 to the cost of the van. You said that it should be standard but that implies that tbe price goes up by, say, £80 for everyone, whether or not they need a fan. I fitted mine at a cost of about £3 for the thermostat on eBay and specifically because I was travelling to S Spain in June 2014. It was not essential but i guess it helped use less gas. In June 2015 I was in S France and it hardly ever came on so it was "unnecessary". I would question your suggextion that a fan is needed to make the fridge work properly.

I have never needed to use winter covers to make the fridge work in cold weather and in 40 years of  caravans and motorhomes never felt the need for them. With the easily detachable Thetford vents it was simple to cut some bits of sheet vinyl to fit behind the vents to stop water and weather getting in when cleaning the van or over winter but I would not have paid £20 for a pair.
So - what I was trying to say was that I would not pay an extra £100 on the list price for sometbing that I may not need but could manufacture if required for less than a fiver. Are you happy to see an extra £100 on the price? Presumably you need them and would pay - but why force me to as well?  I can buy an anorak without a hood if I want to, even if it is not a Berghaus.

Ron, there is no apology required. I wasn't offended but wanted to make it clear that my posts were not me venting my spleen, but raising an issue for wider discussion. 

You make valid arguments about your position on this, concerning paying for something you don't want or need. I didn't want or need a bread box, sorry I mean oven , or shower but the next owners might so that was that. Other may feel the same about tank blankets, omni-aerials, external sockets, etc. In some respect the issue is more with Thetford than A/S and what they supply as standard kit. The costs you quote would, in my opinion, be significantly less if they were provided and fitted as standard at manufacture.

Anyway, I now have winter covers after ordering them from the excellent parts dept at A/S and, as we have no intention of travelling in the van to the hot spots of Europe, no fan will be required 

[quote="Askit"]
I .... wanted to make it clear that my posts were not me venting my spleen /quote]

Can one get covers for those vents?

[sorry chaps, couldn't resist!]

Cymro wrote:

Askit wrote:
I .... wanted to make it clear that my posts were not me venting my spleen /quote]

Can one get covers for those vents?

[sorry chaps, couldn't resist!]

 Yes, come round my house and I will fix you up