Storm Imogen viz fridge vent

Bob55
Bob55 Forum Participant Posts: 29
edited February 2016 in Caravan & Motorhome Chat #1

 

Well she did blow very hard down here in Dorset. We park our Bailey Wyoming caravan on our drive. I checked to see all was ok in the late evening (very steady no rocking but broadside on to the wind) the following morning I was surprised to find the top vent cover for the fridge missing! (This was located on the lee side of any wind force) I found the cover under our car park alongside the caravan. It was undamaged apart from a few scratches, but the plastic pins had shared off at the point of locking. The winter outer cover were missing, but later found one in my neighbours’ garden undamaged I was able to use the plastic holding pins from this to re-fix’s the large vent cover. The bottom vent was sound. 

I can only assume that the storm force wind cause a vacuum between the top and lower vents (sucking in at the bottom vent to flow out the top vent) because I had two winter shield fitted to both vent this cause a damming effect and the pressure build up and suck the top vent out. 

Would be interesting the hear if any members have had a similar occurrence 

Bob

Comments

  • SteveL
    SteveL Club Member Posts: 12,311 ✭✭✭
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    edited February 2016 #2

    Think you are right about the wind causing a vacuum Bob, seem to recall that manufacturers don't advise storing with winter covers on. They are designed to be used when fridge is running in very cold weather

  • Wildwood
    Wildwood Club Member Posts: 3,582
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    edited February 2016 #3

    The winter coves on ours are a Dometic part and are supposedly there to stop the rain blowing in in winter. Never heard anyone suggest they should not be used when the caravan is in store and as the vents on ours face into the wind they seem a useful item
    to me.

  • SteveL
    SteveL Club Member Posts: 12,311 ✭✭✭
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    edited February 2016 #4

    There was a thread on here some time ago, which I have failed to find, discussing the pros and cons re ventilation whilst in storage. However, I have managed to find this. The clubs technical  leaflet states the following.



    Ventilation

    Caravan vents should be left uncovered to provide adequate air circulation inside the caravan; however if in an exposed or salty location the vents on the side of the prevailing wind and/or the 'fridge vent may be closed off for the winter. If
    you have regular access to the caravan, you could place some moisture absorbing crystals (available from DIY stores) in cupboard corners to reduce the risk of condensation, but these will require fairly frequent changing.