3-Way Fridge Winter Vents

Hello all,

I am new to owning a camper van and am a bit unsure as to what the purpose of the winter vents are. I assume this is to stop any cold residue from building up in the fridge, or gas heater. I was wondering if anyone could help me with this? 

Many thanks,
Alex 

The winter vent covers (which is what I assume you're referring to) serve various purposes, including (principally) keeping rainwater out of the vent holes, reducing access points in the louvres by which insects etc can get in, and assisting the fridge when the ambient temperature gets low. I don't recall the temperature stipulated in the handbook as the trigger for installing the covers, but I simply put them on in the Autumn (did so last week) and remove them in the Spring. They aren't essential, but if you have them you might as well use them.
Cymro

Great, thanks for that Cymro. I will most definitely install these vents. Is it still ok to use these when the fridge is on or do I have to remove them?

Thanks again,
Alex 

My Electrolux fridge manual says the winter vents may be fitted when the outside temperature drops below 10 deg C and should be fitted when the temperature falls to freezing point. They are kept on in these conditions all the time, including when using the fridge. They recommend fitting them if the van is being laid up for any length of time.

They should be removed when the fridge is in use at higher temperature than above to ensure adequate air supply.

I also tend to fit them when washing the van.

Thanks for that Roger, I assume that when driving it is safe to have these installed?

Many thanks, 
Alex

Alex Ingham wrote:Thanks for that Roger, I assume that when driving it is safe to have these installed?

Many thanks, 
Alex

Yes, absolutely fine to keep them on whilst driving, as long as the attachment method, which varies from make to make, is intact - mine each have a couple of plastic lug screws that turn 90 degrees.  I fitted mine the other day and they will stay on now until the weather warms up in the spring.

Great, thanks Roger. I will definitely get my vents installed.

Thanks again,
Alex 

The principle reason for the covers is to slow down the passage of cooling air between the bottom and top vents and in doing so keeps the fridge mechanism warmer which in converse to what you instinctively expect, helps the inside of the fridge in keeping cold.
The other effects mentioned are just happenstance. After all it rains in the summer and rodents and creepy crawled are around then too.

Put them on if your washing the van with a hose pipe ,or power wash,for obvious reasons.
Boaby

Thank you all, for the advise given. I am planning on installing my winter vent covers tomorrow! 

Thanks again,
Alex