The Caravan Owners Club

[fokion]

and since nobody objects ( ) me asking questions all the time, here is another one

Has anybody installed to a hobby ( I have read the T & T post) a fan that will improve the refrigirator's efficiency?

[beejay]

I would be interested if anyone has fitted a cooling fan, horizontally, over the back of the fridge. I tried to fit one but the fridge can only be pulled forward about 3 inches before the front of it meets the overhanging lip of the worktop. So much for installing fridges so that they can be removed for servicing and repair! There is not enough room through the vent openings to get the fan into position to fix it. I have seen, in a French caravan accessory catalogue, that there is a "twin turbo" version which is fitted vertically behind the upper vent which may be the answer. Anyone with experience of this problem?

[fokion]

The official solution is this, which I discovered today

http://www.dometic.com/templates/Product.aspx?id=3268&ProductID=2428

and the installation manual:

http://www.dometic.com/epibrowser/installation-manuals/RV-installation_fanset.pdf

If it is of any use to you

[Roy Armstrong]

bejay,
I needed to remove my fridge today and found that if you remove both control knobs (they pull off) and the two recessed screws. the panel detaches and the fridge then clears the work surface.
The fridge is still a b***er to put back in though!

[beejay]

Hi Roy
You are not that far from me in Mid Beds. What model have you got (van that is). I found that even with the panel removed from the top of the fridge it still fouled the overhanging lip after it had been pulled forward about three inches. I couldn't see how it could clear this lip. I found that my fridge was struggling when ambient temp was about 35 c ( fridge interior temp about 7 c) so really must fit the fan which is sold widely in France. The Dometic kit is exactly the same as mine complete with thermostatic switch, (mine cost €16, how much is the Dometic?). However, what is the filter they refer to and what is the capacitor. As far as I can see there is no "capacitor" on the cooling unit. Anyone Know?

[Roy Armstrong]

beejay,
My caravan is the 2005 540WLU with Dometic fridge.
After removing the top panel I also tipped the top of the fridge forward slightly to give greater clearance.
I don't know about the horizontal fans, I have always fitted Maplin fans to the upper vent controlled by a simple switch, this allows a cucumber to be frozen in a 35 degree ambiant.........don't ask!
The reason for my recent fridge removal was to fit two indicator lamps for the 12 volt and 230 volt supplies. Dometic must be very penny pinching not to allow you to know that the supply is there when connected to the car or indeed the mains supply.

Roy

[beejay]

Roy
Perhaps we had better meet. You have done exactly what I was trying to do. I fitted lamps on a previous van as I find the lack of indication infuriating. I agree "how tight can Dometic be ?" Incidentally, my van came with a handbook for the Thetford fridge which does have lamps. I couldn't get my fridge out even tilted. Is yours over the wheelarch? Coffee at Kingston sometime? Beejay

[Roy Armstrong]

beejay,
My fridge is over the wheel arch.
I fitted a Maplins 230 vac Led lamp as the mains indicator but I fitted it to indicate when the thermostat switches on and off.
I initially fitted a Maplins 12v lamp for the 12 volt side but these are very weak (manufacture), so I changed it for a Halfords 12v indicator lamp.
My primary reason for fitting the lamps was the failure of the fridge relay in my car and the first indication was the defrosting of the food in the ice box.
As I am retired you may like to suggest a time/date for coffee at Kingston ( I assume you are referring to Kingston, Milton Keynes).