3 Way Fridge vent

[windyjools]

After much deliberation, my next self-build will have a 3 way, top loading (chest type), fridge, something like this; CAMPING ACCESSORIES | COOL | MAINS GAS OR 12V COOLING | ROYAL 42L 3 WAY FRIDGE
My question is, do I need to have a vent kit, like a 'regular' 3 way fridge, when using the unit on gas?
I know these are normally used for camping, so venting in a tent, is much less of an issue, but they are not supplied with one, so has anyone used one in a van?

 

[n brown]

i'm not familiar with these,but if the gas is lit,it needs a flue if used in an enclosed space like a tent or van,or CO1 can build up. normally when you say 'vent kit' that refers to the exterior vents put top and bottom to ensure airflow round the unit for cooling.this cooler looks like it would be used to take food from the house fridge to a campsite and then maybe put on gas in the awning

 

[windyjools]

I think you are right. But of course using the fridge on gas in an enclosed area like a van will require some sort of flue for the exhaust gases.
If anyone has suggestions for a flue, that would be handy, also, do you think I would need ventilation to allow the heat that is generated by the cooling effect, to be removed from the van?
It's just one of the (many) joys of trying to use something not intended for this specific environment!!

 

[outtolunch]

I have had a similar one years ago in the box of a folding camper which when up was in the awning and a friend had one in his trailer tent and with both you got the odour of flue gas when close to them, they work well and are efficient as you don't lose the cold air as you open the door so they put out a lot less heat than a normal fridge so I think you could get away without venting for the heat but the flue will need venting
A friend has an electric compression chest fridge fitted in his bongo and that does not have vents to the outside to disperse heat but just vents into the units cupboards

View attachment 11903

the model above is similar to the ones I have seen and an extended flue might be quite easily fitted as it is the round hole in the top vent you would have to take precautions such as lagging any extension and doing a spillage check and you would have to fix it securely, a better way may be to build a hood into the side of the van the exact size of the whole grid so that the fridge can be slid under it this would also disperse heat if we ever get a hot summer again.

 

[windyjools]

View attachment 11903

the model above is similar to the ones I have seen and an extended flue might be quite easily fitted as it is the round hole in the top vent you would have to take precautions such as lagging any extension and doing a spillage check and you would have to fix it securely, a better way may be to build a hood into the side of the van the exact size of the whole grid so that the fridge can be slid under it this would also disperse heat if we ever get a hot summer again.[/QUOTE]



Great, that's helpful, I currently have a compressor fridge, but find it too power-hungry and noisy (at night, I hear it cutting in and out several times), hence the plan for this type of unit.
When I get the problem sorted, I'll try to post again on here, for future reference for others.
In the mean time, any other tips or info is greatly appreciated.

 

[Tony Lee]

Obviously most are aware of the dangers of the proposed installation, but just to add a bit of incentive to get it 101% correct

Father, son and friend gassed in caravan

My view - and that is backed up by legislation in some countries - is that an unattended gas appliance such as a refrigerator or space heater should have the entire rear section, including all parts of the gas burner installation completely sealed from the interior space and properly vented to the outside.

 

[just jane]

I have had a similar one years ago in the box of a folding camper which when up was in the awning and a friend had one in his trailer tent and with both you got the odour of flue gas when close to them, they work well and are efficient as you don't lose the cold air as you open the door so they put out a lot less heat than a normal fridge so I think you could get away without venting for the heat but the flue will need venting
A friend has an electric compression chest fridge fitted in his bongo and that does not have vents to the outside to disperse heat but just vents into the units cupboards

View attachment 11903

the model above is similar to the ones I have seen and an extended flue might be quite easily fitted as it is the round hole in the top vent you would have to take precautions such as lagging any extension and doing a spillage check and you would have to fix it securely, a better way may be to build a hood into the side of the van the exact size of the whole grid so that the fridge can be slid under it this would also disperse heat if we ever get a hot summer again.

I used to have one similar before I got the motorhome, when I used to camp. There were warnings all over it not to use in an enclosed unventilated space.

It doesnt have a flue as such, the round hole is where the flame is but I dont think the back is sealed in any way so wouldnt be 'fume proof' if you did extend it.
I wouldnt chance it myself.

 

[outtolunch]

Obviously most are aware of the dangers of the proposed installation, but just to add a bit of incentive to get it 101% correct

Father, son and friend gassed in caravan

My view - and that is backed up by legislation in some countries - is that an unattended gas appliance such as a refrigerator or space heater should have the entire rear section, including all parts of the gas burner installation completely sealed from the interior space and properly vented to the outside.

In this country it would be illegal to supply a van with one of these fitted or for a registered gas engineer to fit one as it is not 'fit for purpose' ie not designed to be fitted as a permanent installation in a van, but there is nothing to stop anybody fitting one for their own use and as such anybody who is determined to fit one should be aware that it is vital that all flue gases are vented from and cannot re-enter the van.

As for being completely sealed I don't know what the current recommendations and regulations are but I know a few years ago fridges never were sealed in underneath but on short legs which when fitting on boats was a problem as the flame had to draw air in from above the lowest hull breach ( usually where the outboard was fitted on a small boat )

 

[Blackwatch]

Received this via email this morning from a dealer that sells these 3 way camping fridges.

There is no vent kit available for the 3 way camping fridges they can only be used outdoors or in very well ventilated areas when running from gas.

 

[windyjools]

Thanks Blackwatch,
Looks like it's either:
a) make up my own flue system and take a risk that it will work safely.......not sure I fancy the risk though.
b) find another make of top-loading 3 way fridge to use that can be used in the van.
c) use the 3 way fridge as planned but just use it as a glorified cool box, so I would use it on 12 volts while driving, 240 volts when on hook-up (not often though) and buy bags of ice which should keep stuff fresh for a couple of days when parked up.
Any other ideas would be welcomed.
I am trying to keep things simple and to a budget, the last conversion blew the budget out of the water, so part of the remit this time is to reduce the costs a bit!!, whilst keeping weight down too.......the next van will be smaller and simpler, that's the plan so far.

 

[outtolunch]

Thanks Blackwatch,
Looks like it's either:
a) make up my own flue system and take a risk that it will work safely.......not sure I fancy the risk though.
b) find another make of top-loading 3 way fridge to use that can be used in the van.
c) use the 3 way fridge as planned but just use it as a glorified cool box, so I would use it on 12 volts while driving, 240 volts when on hook-up (not often though) and buy bags of ice which should keep stuff fresh for a couple of days when parked up.
Any other ideas would be welcomed.
I am trying to keep things simple and to a budget, the last conversion blew the budget out of the water, so part of the remit this time is to reduce the costs a bit!!, whilst keeping weight down too.......the next van will be smaller and simpler, that's the plan so far.

Its a sensible decision not to modify a gas system unless you are confident for that you would need to have worked with gas and the dodgy gas engineers who would have done it for you are being weeded out by CORGI and regulations, those 3 way fridges are heavy so if you are looking at just using 12v and mains I would look at the thermo electric cool boxes but decent ones of those seem to have more than doubled in price since I last brought an armrest model for £20 but if you are handy with DIY it would be fairly easy to get a mini fridge a lot of which are dual 12 and 240 volt from a jumble sale and strip the cooling module out and fit this into a built in insulated chest lined with pop riveted aluminium using a thicker plate where the unit connects. ( if you are electronically adept you could build your own peltier cooling module bits are available but I could only find ready assembled modules available in the USA )

another option is to use one of these only 240 v but if you look at the manual it shows an electrical principle diagram which shows it has a 12v thermoelectric module so there is a chance you could bypass the mains transformer and rectifier to put a direct 12 v supply to it, I have a similar 8 bottle version and they work very well I will have to get the back off to see how easy they are to modify.

Sommelier 6 Bottle Wine Cellar Black and Silver | Mini Wine Fridge Domestic Wine Cellar - Buy at drinkstuff

 

[stu 709d]

make sure to fit a co meter

you can use the fridge you want to but you would need to make an airtight box round the full fridge at the back, this would then have to be sealed to the outer skin of the van after installing top and bottom vents, this would allow venting of fumes and heat and a fresh air supply for the fridge, this would however have to be very well sealed and completely airtight.

its important to remember that all gas flues in vehicles/caravans have a flexible section to prevent vibrations from breaking seals and causing leaks, if you chose the method above it is possible that because this would have to be a rigid installation vibrations could make it impossible to maintain a seal for any length of time

whatever you decide i would strongly advise fitting a co meter, preferably fairly near to your gas appliances, as leaks are possible even when using the right equipment.

good luck and i hope you find a safe solution