Winter Vent Covers & Microwave Repairs

Steve n Jenni
Steve n Jenni Club Member Posts: 1
in Caravans #1

Why don't caravans come supplied with winter covers for Dometic vents? In ten years of caravanning I'd never thought about this until earlier this year. We were parked in a CL in North Devon with great views over the estuary below, but it was a wet and windy May. Whilst cooking the evening meal, a sudden 'pop' and the microwave stopped working! To cut a long story short, our Lunar Quasar had (we've sold it now) a Dometic LS200 vent behind the microwave and horizontal rain had blown through the vent, across a 5cm gap, and into the back of said microwave shorting out the electrics. Most people assume microwaves can't be repaired, but with a bit of care and a £3 fuse from eBay, the microwave was fixed. The vent had often been a nuisance, as with any cold wind in the wrong direction, extreme draughts would enter the caravan around the sides of the microwave and be only partly solved by stuffing rolled-up magazines around the edges! Not wanting to pay a ridiculous £20-30 for a winter cover, we fitted a fine fleece fabric to the vent opening, secured in place after refitting the removable louvre panel - and this significantly reduced the cold draughts. I'm relieved that our new Elddis caravan doesn't have vents behind the microwave!

Comments

  • Wildwood
    Wildwood Club Member Posts: 3,698
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    #2

    Vent covers should be in the kit supplied but it never is. We have bought the covers as the cost is minimal in the overall cost of running the caravan. If you hose down the caravan when washing it they should prevent water ingress.

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Trusted Posts: 23,331
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    #3

    As for microwave vent covers and gaps, the m/wave will very quickly overheat and cut out without them. Most van manufacturers fit m/waves without adequate ventilation in contravention of the m/wave installation instructions.

    I’ve not yet come across a caravan or MH without supplied fridge vent covers.

  • RogerP1956
    RogerP1956 Club Member Posts: 64
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    #4

    I thought that the winter covers were fitted to reduce the area of the vent and help the fridge work properly in cold weather.

    Didn't come with our Elddis and were not exactly cheap to buy.

    Secondary effect is that they do reduce drafts into the caravan.

  • nelliethehooker
    nelliethehooker Club Member Posts: 13,935
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    #5

    @Tinwheeler neither of our last two caravans, bought new, were supplied with winter fridge vent covers, which I duly purchased, and as @Wildwood says were a minimal cost compared to the overall cost of the vans. I fit them when we are away if the temperature drops to around 8C and also when giving the caravan a thorough wash.

  • KjellNN
    KjellNN Club Member Posts: 8,716
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    #6

    Our last 2 vans did not come with them either, we bought some for the present one, used then over winter when the van was just on the drive, and when washing it, but OH was just saying a few months back that she could not find them. Must have put them somewhere really safe!

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