Vent covers

I’m fairly certain that mines got an auto valve, that opens if it drops below a certain temperature. So it’s a good comment that if I close it, it may open automatically over winter anyway.

Should I leave the fresh water and grey water drain taps open?  Or is it best to close them re insects n critters?

Sally

P.S. Is it just me that found it quite sad to be winterising it and leaving it unloved in storage until Spring?  It may just be hormones but it felt I was leaving a friend!!!

I intend use mine fairly frequently over the winter so have got the van heating on a frost setting (on EHU) and will keep an eye on the weather.  I keep the bog and grey water empty anyway so only have to be mindful of the boiler and fresh water tank.    Back to the OP, do the vents really make any difference?  In 15 years of MH'ing I've never used them and the fridge has been fine.

Sally wrote:Should I leave the fresh water and grey water drain taps open?  Or is it best to close them re insects n critters?

Sally

Any advice on this would be welcome (for over winter), as I can’t find any reference to it in the general notes.

Edited to add: I’ve just seen Roli’s advice that they should be left open.  So the question is do I need to cover them with mesh etc.

PLOUGHLIN wrote:I close mine having let them drain forr at least a week.

I said same earlier

I found they're usefull when it's windy, and the vents are downwind, to stop the flame being blown out (so often). I do fit them in the winter or when it's below 10 degrees just to keep draughts out.

Paulmold wrote:

PLOUGHLIN wrote:I close mine having let them drain forr at least a week.

I said same earlier

Oops, I missed that Paul. I thought you were talking about the hot water tank. 

My bad.

Sally wrote:

Paulmold wrote:

PLOUGHLIN wrote:I close mine having let them drain forr at least a week.

I said same earlier

Oops, I missed that Paul. I thought you were talking about the hot water tank. 

My bad.

I probably was. But I'd do the same with the drain taps.

Bulletguy wrote:

chalkywhite wrote:I got my winter covers direct from Autosleeper. Search online for for their order form, fill it in and they come back to you with a price and availability. They were cheaper than elsewhere and prompt. I have purchased parts twice now and they have been cheaper.

I'd be surprised if you got a better price than this guy sells at; [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

I've bought no end of accessories off him as even with p&p added his prices are lower than what i'd pay at a local dealer. Recently bought an MPK roof vent from him. He's a very helpful guy too and i wouldn't hesitate to recommend him.

    Can second that. Have been in the shop in Glasgow ,  only about 9ft wide frontage  and it is a tardis inside. Very helpful and good prices.  

Back to the original post, I went to the van this weekend to fit the vent covers.

Ha!  I'm not sure what vents I've got and what covers I've ordered, but if they fit together, I will eat my hat.  This is a much loved hat worn at Royal Ascot Ladies Day, so its going nowhere!

I gave up after half an hour, so unless I learn more before my next visit, the vents will remain uncovered over winter.  It's no big deal, other than the money spent on the covers could have been spent on a new hat!

Send a photo or three Sally.

There is a trick to it, but we need to know which type you have.

Is your fridge a Thetford or Dometic? I can't comment on Thetford method of fitting because I've never had a Thetford. For Dometic place the cover towards the top of the vent pushing in and up at the same time so that the lugs on reverse side of cover go up behind the top slot. It should now be flat in the vent. Turn the button with a small coin to lock in place.

This YouTube video shows it all

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Paulmold wrote:Is your fridge a Thetford or Dometic? I can't comment on Thetford method of fitting because I've never had a Thetford. For Dometic place the cover towards the top of the vent pushing in and up at the same time so that the lugs on reverse side of cover go up behind the top slot. It should now be flat in the vent. Turn the button with a small coin to lock in place.

This YouTube video shows it all

[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

Note that you turn the button anti clockwise to lock!!

That's the trick on those. 

If its a thetford fridge vent it just clicks in to place.

I can’t get over now for at least another 3 weeks, but I’ll take some photos etc. when I do.  This may be a really silly question, but how do I tell if it’s a Thetford or Dometic fridge?  Are they labelled, or named in the handbook, or can you tell by the style etc?

It’s all very interesting by the way, I’m enjoying the learning, but I just couldn’t figure it out. The YouTube video has helped, but my vents look a bit different. I think the hooks on the covers do as well 

Should be in the manuals also on a label inside the fridge somewhere.

Sally wrote:Should I leave the fresh water and grey water drain taps open?  Or is it best to close them re insects n critters?

 Have come late to this thread, and just seen above, with replies suggesting that taps be left closed (perhaps after an interval). I usually leave all mine open, because were there to be any water left in the pipes (given some bizarre layouts of pipes by AS) then in the event of frost there would be no build up of pressure were the residual water to freeze. It's a very small risk, as there won't be much water to freeze, so the pressure buid-up would be minute, but nevertheless I'd prefer to allow for such a risk.  Having had a shower head split open by frost action has made me cautious.

The chance of insects getting into the taps from inside the van is negligible.

Cymro

Oh dear me! So much for jumping in, enthusiastically - but erroneously!

Thanks for pointing it out so politely, Peter!

Cymro

I leave mine open and put a small piece of ladies tights over the end with a lakky band to hold it over the end piping allowing air in but no creepy crawlies.

I don't know any ladies who would let me near enough to their tights to cut a bit out!!  

Not a bad idea though. All manner of insects are looking for somewhere to spend the winter, so drain taps might look enticing!

Let me know if you want one Gromit i'll cut a leg of the wife's 

Slugs and snails too

snow863 wrote:Slugs and snails too

 . . . . . . and earwigs, spiders, etc etc who all love downward facing spouts as homes.  
As I learned to my cost when filling my water container from a tap on a pitch that hadn't been used for a while. 
Which is why I now make sure to flush any taps out well before filling containers or connecting a hose.  

Blimey.....who'd have thought a simple tap could cause such a dilemma?!! 

Everything from 'closed' to 'left open but wrapped with tights and a rubber band'. So a van owner with a fetish for rubber and womens lingerie.