Date:         Wed, 15 Sep 2004 07:36:10 -0700
Reply-To:     mark drillock <drillock@EARTHLINK.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         mark drillock <drillock@EARTHLINK.NET>
Subject:      Re: Westy fridge fan on, but fridge is off (I think)
Comments: To: Vince S <gipsyflies@COMCAST.NET>
In-Reply-To:  <005401c4953d$a8460000$c200a8c0@vsovaio>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii; format=flowed

There is a way to vent the heat from behind the fridge to the outside
without cutting any more holes in the side of the Westy. I do this by
mounting a small fan in the City Water hookup opening after removing the
center area of the plastic assembly. The City Water is next to useless
and a flooding hazard anyway. Since I replace the fragile stock faucets
with a nicer RV model that has no city water provision the City Water
connection becomes superfluous and makes a nice fridge heat vent. When
you want to vent the heat to the outside, prop the water door open and
switch on the fan. The main fridge fan will run less and the heat will
go outside instead of heating the interior. I camp for long periods
where it is hot. The exhaust fan makes a difference in fridge
performance as well as keeping the inside of our home more comfortable.


Mark

Vince S wrote:

>I would like to know how much batter the fridge make cold if the Westy
>has a proper top/bottom gravity vents for the refrigerator like most
>American conversion vans. As is it relies the hot air to rise through
>the roof vent. There isn't a cool air supply in the entire vehicle at
>floor level to promote the natural convection unless you leave the
>sliding door open. The cabin would also be at least 10 F cooler without
>the significant heat gain from the propane fridge.
>
>Unfortunately I cannot bear cutting holes on the side of the vehicle.
>
>Cutting a hole on the floor behind the fridge and install a baffle so
>water from wet road does not splash into the cabin can be a very good
>alternative.
>
>
>
>- Vince
>
>