Symbol winter vents

Hi

Does anyone know how to tell if the winter vents are fitted, (I'm a symbol newbie, and don't know what vents should look like!)

Steve

I take it you mean the fridge vent covers there Steve?

Here's a pic which may help:



The cover is the solid piece at the bottom.

fit them like in the video
with the 2 screws at the bottom

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That's not me in the video

Hi Steve
Welcome to the forum from breezy Bridlington.
Boaby

When camping with my Eriba caravan in winter I used to leave fridge covers on to save the heat - only when on electric of course.
Should covers be used on a 2017 Symbol ?
None supplied with van when new.

Baggiecamper wrote:
Should covers be used on a 2017 Symbol ?
None supplied with van when new.

My 2017 Warwick has a dometic fridge and was supplied with covers. My old 2002 Symbol also was supplied new with covers.
In 2017 I think it could depend on which fridge you have?

AutoSleepy_Don wrote:

Baggiecamper wrote:
Should covers be used on a 2017 Symbol ?
None supplied with van when new.

My 2017 Warwick has a dometic fridge and was supplied with covers. My old 2002 Symbol also was supplied new with covers.
In 2017 I think it could depend on which fridge you have?

Thanks for that
I've got User Manual out for my fridge.
I should have gone there first.
It's a Thetford N3000-E Series model A
For my fridge winter covers are for use below -6C. INCORRECT below +6 degreesC
Winter covers are an accessory which you can purchase from dealer.

Hi Baggiecamper

Are you sure that's right?  I'd be less surprised if it was 6 deg C ( i.e. not minus) as on mine it's below (+) 8 deg C 

PS just looked up the manual for your model online* and I quote:


"10 Winter use
When you are going to use the refrigerator with an
outside temperature below 10°C, install a suitable
winter cover, as illustrated.
This cover will protect your refrigerator against
too cold air and makes sure the refrigerator will
still perform optimally.
Make sure you remove the winter cover again once
the temperature is above 10°C."


*Link here:
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UPDATE

Just found a later version of the manual and that states 6 deg C ( i.e. not -6):

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Hi Roger
Thank you for spotting my mistake
I think that's a case of seeing what you want to see (selective eyesight ?).
In that case I need to purchase winter vents. It's fair to say Autumn and Spring can be below +6 degrees C so should be supplied in UK as standard.
I notice fly screens are optional as well, are these necessary?
Sorry for posting incorrect figure.

Baggiecamper wrote:
Thanks for that
It's a Thetford N3000-E Series model A

Dometic Fridges come with covers, Thetford fridges don't.

In brief a motorhome fridge is an absorbtion fridge, the fridge in your kitchen is a compressor fridge. They work on different principles.
An absorbption fridge needs heat to keep the fridge cold! hence the covers in low temperatures.
I don't think the covers are absolutely essential but the efficiency of the fridge really suffers as the temp drops to around 4 to 6 degrees C (and below) so they are a good idea.

However, make sure you do remove the covers when the temperature rises.

My source is this old thread [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

Mine's an Electrolux (now Dometic) and has covers but no flyscreens.  Not sure how essential the flyscreens would be, I tend to take the inner grilles off a couple of times a year and vacuum out any dust etc.

When I wash the 'van using the Karcher (on low setting!) or hose spray, I tend to pop the winter covers on to help prevent any water ingress. My instructions, which say the covers MAY* be fitted below 10 deg C and SHOULD* be fitted below zero, also suggest they be fitted if the van is laid up during winter months. Presumably this helps keep bugs from seeking shelter.  

I have heard of some folk fitting them when travelling, especially long motorway drives in very wet weather, but if that's during the summer then it's important to remember to remove them on pitching up to prevent overheating.

* my capitalization for emphasis.

AutoSleepy_Don wrote:

Baggiecamper wrote:
Thanks for that
It's a Thetford N3000-E Series model A

Dometic Fridges come with covers, Thetford fridges don't.

My Thetford fridge came with covers, which then overheated everything the first time I used them, hence me creating that thread you linked to 

My Thetford came with covers too.

Still trying to work out best practice regards on or off. They are off at present and have a feeling they will be off till next winter now.

I read in the manual (p3-2)
"The fridge vent covers should be fitted when the vehicle is to be driven in order to comply with European Type Approval regulations for vehicle external projections"

To me this implies every MH should be supplied with vent covers.

Wow - a positive deluge of replies - must be a whole load of MH bods out there . . .  ( I saw 6 travelling through town yesterday - the season is here)

so from those photos, and vid, I now know that mine has the covers in situ. I won't remove them till the fridge is running in +4c conditions.
Sure is a lot to remember.

I'm off to Scotland on Tues 19th March so anticipation running high.


Next Question is: AS guide mentions 'water heater valve' and 'water pump filter'.

Have you any hints as to locating access to these items pls ?

Thanks again 

Steve