Genuine Thetford Caravan / Motorhome Fridge Ventilator Fan Kit
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- čas přidán 25. 07. 2019
- See how I fit the genuine Thetford fridge ventilator kit for caravans and motorhomes. It improves the air flow through the condensor helping to cool it quicker. This means the evaporator inside the fridge will provide better cooling making the fridge more efficient. PLEASE NOTE: The permanent wires I use to connect the ventilator are the feed to the fridge ignition. This circuit is protected by a 5amp fuse. The wiring colours may vary depending on the leisure vehicle manufacturer.
Having fitted the fridge vent fan kit last week I am away in Cornwall now during a good spell of hot weather 26 Celsius. We have an enclosed awning on the fridge side of our motorhome so it gets a bit warmer in there. I am amazed at how often the fridge fan is cutting in during the day. Also, the fridge is so much colder and can be turned down a bit which will no doubt save gas. A very worthwhile investment that I should have done years ago.
With the soaring temperatures yet again you got it fitted just in the nick of time Brandon. Great to hear it’s working perfectly for you with the added bonus of saving gas. Thetford might see a surge in ventilator sales ! Appreciate you letting me know, have a good holiday, Cheers Rob
Bought this kit last week. Arrived today. Will install this week. This video is very helpfull. Many thanks to you Rob.
Good to know my video will help with your installation 👍. I leave my on / off switch permanently switched on as the thermo switch will only activate the fan when required. This way I won’t forget / get caught out. I’ll be posting a video fitting the genuine Dometic fridge ventilator kit in the next few days. Thank you for commenting and all the best, Rob
Thanks Rob, great video, I don't think I could have done it just using the Thetford instructions. Top job!
I’m pleased my video helped out. I did have to contact Thetford to clarify a couple of things for myself. At least you’re now prepared for the next heat wave ! Thanks very much for watching and commenting. All the best, Rob
Huge thanks Rob for your easy to follow instructions because without this I would never have managed it. Horrible job and lost many layers of skin, but having struggled in the last few years to keep food cold I’m hoping this will help. Thanks again 👍🏻
I’m Pleased my video came in useful for you Jem. Yes it is a bit awkward to fit in such a limited space. Let’s hope it does the trick. Thanks very much for letting me know 👍 . Cheers Rob 😀
@@robswiseways5697 -
Ours is one of the tall fridge freezers in a Motorhome which may have made things even more challenging and probably took twice as long as I kept nipping inside the house to watch the next instalment 😁 Thanks again 👍🏼
@@14Jem You’re welcome Jem 👍. As far as I know, ours has only come on once and that was in the heatwave of 2022 at Sutton-on-Sea club site. At least we’re safe guarded. Cheers Rob
Very informative video and well explained, I will get one myself as the weather we’re having at the moment suggests this will be money well spent.
Hi North Lancs Scotsman, Thank you for watching and your kind comment. It's worth noting Dometic also offer a ventilation accessory kit. Regards Rob
Your video was a great help. Thank You
Glad to be of assistance and thank you very much for watching. Cheers, Rob
Great Video Rob very clear and precise well done.
Thank you very for the compliment doc. You can see it working in my Sutton on Sea video. Cheers, Rob
Nice one Robert, keep 'em coming
Cheers Les
Now this I am going to do! Thanks Rob.
Haven't used it yet Vince as the weather cooled down after fitting it. Its worth noting Dometic also do a vent kit called AR-VKIT for their fridges. Thanks for watching. Rob
Thanks Rob, always had a problem with the fridge here in NZ, now it’s fitted should be no problem. My forearms are a bit sore, it’s a bit tight in there. Great video.
Pleased you were able to fit a kit Bryan. You would have expected Thetford to provide a dedicated connection socket for the fan kit which would have made life a lot easier. I'm sure Dometic's fan kit does plug into a dedicated socket. Thanks very much for watching. Rob
Great video, clear and concise, thank you. 👍
Thanks for the compliment Robin. Cheers. Rob
Bonjour et MERCI pour cette vidéo explicite. Elle m'a beaucoup aidé pour le branchement d'un ventilateur. Merci encore...protégez vous bien et bon route en Camping Car
Je suis heureux que ma vidéo soit suffisamment détaillée pour vous aider. Nous espérons partir en vacances dès que possible. Merci beaucoup d'avoir regardé et de prendre soin de vous. Rob
Bonjour, grâce à vos explications j'ai pu facilement monter le ventilateur. MERCI encore. Mais, une petite question : comment voir si le ventilateur fonctionne? Je pense qu'Il ne s'enclenche qu'à partir d'une certaine température? Peut on vérifier si les branchements sont corrects? Je vous remercie pour votre aide. Eric DELAVELLE
Bonjour Eric, je n'ai pas testé mon ventilateur ou été en vacances par temps chaud. Je crois que vous pouvez contourner l'interrupteur thermique pour le tester. Je vais devoir essayer de tester mon ventilateur de cette façon. Meilleures salutations Rob
@@robswiseways5697 Bonjour Robs...un bonjour de FRANCE...je vous remercie pour votre réponse. J'ai testé le ventilateur en contournant la sonde et il fonctionne. J'espère qu' en été la sonde se déclenchera. MERCI encore et toujours BRAVO pour votre vidéo. Cordialement Eric
Eh bien, je suis impressionné car je n'ai pas essayé cela moi-même. C'est bon à savoir. Merci Eric. Tous mes vœux. Rob
Great video Rob,after watching the video a couple of times i was able to fit this kit in around 30 minutes, a bit tight like you said but quite easy👍all your videos are very explanatory easy to follow
That's great news MrCben1. Really pleased my videos are proving helpful. Had a coments about position of switch. I might move it inside the caravan one day. Another video! Thanks for watching. Rob
Great video answered all my questions thank you
Really good to hear that Declan. I show the fan working in my Sutton on Sea video during the hottest days of this year 2022. Thanks very much for watching and commenting 👍 All the best, Rob
Great video, thanks Rob! :)
You’re welcome. Thanks very much for watching. Cheers Rob
Excellent instructional video.Thanks
Thanks very much Gerard and thank you for watching. Rob
Morning Rob, just thought I'd add a little update to " I've yet to hear the fan running" yesterday and it wasn't hot outside but the awning was zipped up with sunny intervals, we arrived back on site opened the awning which was warm inside and YES the fan was running 👍, I'm over the moon that it works, the only thing I would recommend is if you slide open ( we an Isabella one) the wheel arch cover this will help cooler air to enter the awning when you aren't there, so thanks again for your Vlog keep up the excellent work you do on this channel..
That’s brilliant, thank you for the update Howard, this is interesting. We don’t have an awning ourselves but it makes complete sense what you are saying. The awning is warm due to the sun, plus added warm air from the upper fridge vent increases the air temp inside the awning simulating a hot day, thus activating the ventilator. Top tip 👍 from you Howard suggesting allowing cool air in through the wheel arch. Thank you very much, Rob
Hi Rob, just an update on our fan.
Over the past few weeks the fan even came on at night so I've moved the switch so we have easier control over it, so rather than having to remove and refit the grill cover I've moved the switch inside the caravan, I decided it should be next to all the other electrics, I ran a 2 core cable around the inside of the van using the original 'P' clips that are used for the existing loom, the switch is now very accessible by opening the foot locker door.. Just a thought if this helps anyone else..
@@howardpalin67 Thanks for this information Howard. You’ve done the right thing siting the switch for easy access. Thetford should have included a switch within the control panel which only becomes active when a vent kit is fitted to a dedicated connector at the back of the fridge. Thanks again and I’m sure others will take this on board. Cheers Rob
Very fiddly job explained perfectly
Took some doing. I didn't mention in the video the appliances / kitchen are fitted before the walls are fixed in position. That's why the wiring is all tied in place and difficult to get to. Thanks for watching. Rob
Great review thanks ☺️
Thanks very much Jo
Seems a proper kit for the job. Well done video. Wish they had the flyscreens for RV's in the south USA, we have wasps that love building mud nests inside the camper's works. Generally we have to make or buy screens to keep 'em out. I would have to add a second fan, I believe, as the temps in the south frequently hit 95°F all summer.
Hello Silas and thanks for tuning in. With those temps I would have expected flyscreens to be standard in the USA. If you are mounting the fans to the fridge back as I did, I would check with the fridge manufacturer to see if it is safe to screw a second fan to the backing. There could be hiden wiring or refrigeration pipes. Regards Rob
@@robswiseways5697 Yes, there was a bit of pucker factor as I watched you insert those screw anchors as I thought they would have to be drilled or driven in with a hammer. Nice that they work with just being pushed in like that.. Having been in aircraft & automotive fields for many years, I'm well aware of hidden surprises on the other side of things!
Good video well explained.
Thanks very much Phillip. Cheers, Rob
Thanks Rob Merci 😀
You are very welcome 👍. Many thanks to you for watching and commenting. All the best, Rob 😀
Excellent
Thank you very much. Rob
Hi. I have just fitted one of the Thetford vent fan kits. As it's only 21 celsius outside there was no way the fan would start. Hence, to prove it works I turned the fridge on full using 240V supply and then covered the condenser fins with a rag to simulate a higher ambient temperature. I used a handheld temperature sensor to monitor the pipework and thermal switch. It finally switched on when the body of the switch reached 60 celsius. I am a bit disappointed that Thetford offer no easy advice on how to test that everything works after installation, or even the switching temperature of the switch they provide. It would be a bad day to discover the switch was faulty several months or so after purchase and Thetford would be less likely to offer any warranty claim for a replacement.
Great to hear you’ve fitted the kit and it’s all working as it should. I’ve waited 3 years to finally hear the fan running and it was a relief to hear it working on the hottest day of the year. I don’t know if you’ve seen my other videos Brandon where I test the fan in the one titled ‘how loud is the Thetford fridge ventilator’ and I show the fan running in my Sutton on Sea video. Apart from checking the fan is working I can’t see any way of checking the thermo switch other than forcing it to activate similar to how you’ve done it but I do see your point. Thank you for watching and commenting, all the best, Rob
@@robswiseways5697 I emailed Thetford Europe for the official spec on the temperature switch - here’s their response:
Good morning
Thank you for your email
The open temperature is 49 +/- 3 degrees close temperature 55 +/- 3 degrees.
I hope this helps
Kind Regards
Service (UK)
Thetford
Thanks for the info Brandon. If switch on temp 55 + 3 = 58, close to your reading of 60 Celsius. Not far off at all. Cheers, Rob
👍🏻
Thank you Nicolas
Rob, thanks for sharing this vlog, I've just fitted one of these and blimey it was a tight fit, just a couple of things, the colour of the wiring on mine is totally different so I checked things out using a multi meter, brown was live and red/yellow negative, is there a way of checking it's function without switching on the fridge and waiting for it get warm?
Thanks again..
Hello Howard, I suppose the wiring colours depend on who manufactures the wiring harness, but you would think there would be a colour standardization across the industry. I should have mentioned in the video to connect to the wires that feed the fridge ignition and NOT to the thick high voltage 12v wires from the tow vehicle. This can be checked by pulling out the fridge ignition fuse and testing for power at your ventilator connection point. As for checking the function, try bypassing the thermo switch by bridging the two wires, probably with a 5A fuse. Hope this helps. Rob
Great Video Rob. Thanks for sharing. How many Amp is the fuse? (I guess 2 Amps?) I have measured with a termperature meter for surface and it seems the fan starts at and above 55 deg C and stops again when below temperature drops below 49 deg C. In very hot outdoor temperature I think best is to run the fridge on gas rather than electricity to maintain a steady cold temperature
Hello and thank you Silja, I’ve had a look and the fuse is 1 amp.
I tested the thermo switch to answer an earlier comment and it does start the fan at 55 deg and in my case stopped at 44 deg. In that same comment I was told Thetford said spec is 55 +/- 3 deg and 49 +/- 3 deg so you are spot on.
I do show the fan running on one of the hottest days we had in 2022 in my Sutton on Sea holiday video. I’ve never used the fridge on gas though. Thanks again for watching and all the best, Rob 👍
Great video! So you have any news yet on it’s performance, I’m based in Spain and my fridge is aweful when it’s in the sun! Looking for either this or would a diy kit with bigger fans be better?
Hi Joseph, This week is the first time we’ve been away since March, so we have missed the major heatwaves. Personally I think if the fans needed to be bigger then Thetford would have supplied them. However, it’s personnel choice for you to decide between factory kit or diy. Dometic offer a similar kit for their fridges too. Hope this helps and thanks for watching. Rob
Brilliant video. I've fitted the kit and hope I've done it correctly but is there any way to know if it works other than waiting for a very hot day and removing the vent?
Actually Frank, I've not tried mine. You could try disconnecting and bridging the thermo switch feed connections with a piece of wire to see if the fan comes on. Other than that it's a case of waiting for a hot day. Not sure if using a hair dryer on the thermo switch would make it work? Thank you for watching and comment Frank. Take care and best regards. Rob
Hi Rob, I've been watching loads of these upgrades to the fridges, just have one question, would it not be best to have the fan working ( it's just drawing such low amps) most of the time as these fridges have limited air flow, this could be achieved via a switch controlled by me, I'm just wondering how effective this would help the fridges performance, appreciate your feedback mate on this...
Hi Howard, I can’t see why you can’t bypass the thermo switch with a direct on/off switch controlled manually. I’m not sure how loud the fan would be from inside the caravan. You would probably have to switch it off at night if it can be heard. The thermo switch activates the fan when the pipe reaches 55 deg. On the last holiday I left my switch in the on position and the cooling level on the fridge at position 3 out of 5. The outside temp was around 22 deg. As far as I’m aware the fan never came on and the fridge interior was cold. Maybe the ambient temp needs to be considerably higher than 22 deg or the sun facing the fridge side of the caravan. I’m going to leave my switch in the on position from now and let the thermo switch do the work. As an experiment you could try it and if its not right simply fit the thermo switch. All the best. Rob
Very nice video! Will probably install one later myself, but distance between lower and higher vent is pretty big (N4141E+) so not sure how easy the installation will be. Were you able to test yours in the meantime? Really curious if the fan is enough (since a lot of others offer 2 fans). Also, do you hear the fan from the inside?
Hi Stephen, Fitted it in July 2019. Our four holidays in Aug & Sept 2019 and Aug & Sept 2020 didn't have hot enough weather to use it. I'm sure Dometic only offer one fan in their kit. As for the noise I'll have to bypass the thermo switch to make the fan come on and see if it can be heard inside. I'll let you know. Thanks for watching. Best regards. Rob
@@robswiseways5697 thanks Rob!
Nice job, it's a pity Thetford did not built the thing properly in the first place and include a fan.
I think Thetford should at least provide a kit that can be plugged into a dedicated connector at the back of the fridge, similar to Dometics’ optional fan kit. As we are experiencing higher summer temperatures it might make Thetford think about this and even fit the fan as standard as you say. Many thanks for watching, cheers, Rob
@@robswiseways5697 On our way to York in July this year I foolishly allowed my electrics cable to trail on the ground. The cable was well severed but I was able to splice the wire temporarily. Simultaneously our fridge went off totally. I assumed it was a short which had caused the problem. Later the next day the fridge came back on. This happened again a couple of days later after moving over to Grassington. I assumed it was a failed pcb and so replaced it when we got home and the fridge was working again. It was only later I discovered the overheating problem and remembered that the temps when we were away were quite high. It cost me £120 and I binned the old PCB. I do wish Thetford had made this issue more apparent. You live and learn..... The hard way sometimes. 👍
A costly outcome for you, the price of another trip away ! Makes you wonder how many others had a problem during the heatwaves, especially those with fridge vents on the awning side. Thanks for the reply. Cheers, Rob
👍👍👍
Thank you very much. Rob
I have just gone to fit the kit. Problem number one is compared to Rob, our caravan has no wiggle room behind the fridge, so I had to take out the four securing screws and pull the fridge forwards a bit. Then I discover my kit (same part number 630543) is missing the plugs and fixing screws. So I have had to stop for now.
That's so annoying Vince but you can resume the project once you recieve the genuine plugs and screws. You might like to read my response to David Bardoe-Pout regarding wiring connection. Hope it goes well. Rob
Just a thought, how much noise comes from the fan? Can you hear it when sitting inside? Cheers
I don't know the answer yet Robin. We haven't been away during hot weather that would trigger it to come on. I'll have to manually bypass the thermo switch to see how loud it is. I'll have to do a short video about it. Thanks for watching. Rob
The thermoswitch looks like it slide down the pipe when travelling.
I've just checked mine and it hasn't moved. Has the spring clip been opened a little too far when fitting it? Meaning it may not have sprung back to a tight fitting. Regards Rob
Have you had a chance to use the system in earnest? If so how did it fair?
I'm afraid the answer Scotia is no. Will let you know as soon as it's been tried and tested. Regards Rob
why did you not fit the switch somewhere inside the van?
Good question Martyn. I followed the instruction to fit it near the lower vent. Maybe it could be another video moving the switch to the inside! Thanks for watching. Rob
Brilliant vlog sir, excellent instructions.
What is the cost of the kit?
All the best,
Black Country Dave
Thank you for the compliment Dave. I ordered mine from Leisure Spares Ltd, www.leisurespares.co.uk. Tel 01423 320009. I paid £44.18 inc vat. The kit part number is 630543. Thanks for watching. Rob
What are the specs of the thermal switch?
There is no information in the fitting instructions and the only markings on the thermo switch are: 37T32 502304 F55-6C J1833 The diameter is 28mm and height 22mm. Then there is the spring clip. As it is measuring the temperature of the fridge tube I suspect the switch on temperature will be around 50 degree or thereabouts. Sorry I can’t be more helpful. Cheers. Rob
@@robswiseways5697 Thanks a lot! I should be able to find something similar. I was wodering about the trigger temp, as I a building something similar (and cheaper)!
Thanks again!
@@millerf I’ve experimented by taking the thermo switch off and connecting it to a tester to make a circuit. Then applying heat and measuring the temp of the switch when the electrical tester alarms. It switches on at 55 degree and off at 44 degree. Hope this helps. Cheers. Rob
@@robswiseways5697 I bought a switch that triggers at 50. So it sounds perfect! I actually just finished the install one hour ago. I put 2 fans to insert/extract the air and 4 smaller fans directly sucking air out of the heat exchanger. Let's see if it actually helps.
Total cost was 37 euros and I have spare fans for other projects ;)
you got a laugh, people paying Thetford hell of alot of money for a 12V PC fan And a switch lol
I paid £44.18 this includes vat, is very reasonable and it saves trawling the internet looking for parts to patch together. Thanks for watching and commenting. Rob
I have looked at the price of this kit online and it’s ridiculous, it’s much cheaper to buy the components and make your own.
Hi Derek, I paid £44.18p this includes vat, from www.leisurespares.co.uk I think this is quite reasonable. Everything you need is in the pack. No need to search the internet for separate components to cobble together. Thank you for watching and commenting. Cheers Rob
There’s a difference between CM and MM.......
How do you mean Willam?