Outside fridge ventilation

[Elorigoni]

Hi everyone,
I have searched a lot in internet and in this forum without results.
I’ve found that someone has tried to add a fan solution in the cupboard hole.
Anyone have tried to make a ventilation grille to the outside?
I’ve noticed major heating problems when I’m not in the van, with roof closed and no inside-to-outside air circulation.
I’ve also the original battery charger under the fridge. I’ve in program to move it in the leisure battery compartment, but for now, with summer hot sun and fridge switched on, the charger goes in protection a lot of times.
Thanks to all!
Elia

 

[Alexlex85]

Hi Eila,
Would you be able to share any photos with us?
Whatever it is, I would aim to put everything back to how to default factory setup

 

[Elorigoni]

Hi Alex,
I have no photos. Mine it’s an idea.
Other caravans with gas fridges has ventilation grilles to the outside. I think that a similar inside-to-outside ventilation can help the fridge compressor.
A grille like this:

Cache grille ventouse extérieur Truma 110mm

Cache grille ventouse extérieur Truma 110mm

www.camping-car-plus.com

 

[Lambeth Cali]

The California fridge is designed to vent downwards I thought. But it’s designed like that. I wouldn’t contemplate drilling holes in the side of the van.

 

[Elorigoni]

I read the entire manual of the fridge, and the compressor can reach 85 degrees before going into protection.
So yes, the fridge can withstand high temperatures, even if with so little ventilation and the sheet metal that heats up in the sun works in not easy conditions.
My question is if there is a way to help to breathe that small compartment that in summer heats up like hell, since the brilliant Volkswagen engineers have decided to put the battery charger/inverter in the same place, that in these conditions goes into protection even with 20 degrees in the shade.

 

[WelshGas]

I read the entire manual of the fridge, and the compressor can reach 85 degrees before going into protection.
So yes, the fridge can withstand high temperatures, even if with so little ventilation and the sheet metal that heats up in the sun works in not easy conditions.
My question is if there is a way to help to breathe that small compartment that in summer heats up like hell, since the brilliant Volkswagen engineers have decided to put the battery charger/inverter in the same place, that in these conditions goes into protection even with 20 degrees in the shade.

Like this.

Cooling Fan for the Fridge

We are going to sunnier climes in September for a few weeks and I was wondering if the fridge could do with some help to get the air moving around in the enclosed cupboard it lives in. Vw in there wisdom have failed to allow for any ventillation/ circulation of air around the fridge...

vwcaliforniaclub.com

 

[sidepod]

When Westy built the early vans there was a vent hole in the floor below the fridge. Some had fans fitted.
The fridge design appears unchanged over the years so perhaps it’s was just good old over engineering?

 

[WelshGas]

When Westy built the early vans there was a vent hole in the floor below the fridge. Some had fans fitted.
The fridge design appears unchanged over the years so perhaps it’s was just good old over engineering?

The OP doesn't actually mention the Fridge as having a problem but the Mains Charger, which prior to 2012, I think, was positioned below the fridge . This was then prone to stop working due to the thermal cutout switching it off . Hence post 2012 the Mains charger was relocated to the rear wardrobe above the 2nd leisure battery.

 

[Crasher]

Mine is a 2009 and no problems with shutting down.But I have installed the charger 2 above the rear leisure battery and I have made a vent in the battery compartment cover to allow ventilation of fridge and new charger two etc. The heat in that area now maybe to much for the ehu charger now but so far no issue.So maybe fit a vent or fan in rear battery cupboard cover and power of battery with thermal switch .