Installation and basic maintenance of LPG refrigerators.
When installing any type of refrigerator into your Motorhome or Caravan, you should pay particular
attention to amount of ventilation given to the rear of the refrigerator. If you skimp on the amount
of venting you install, you will pay by reducing the efficiency of the unit particularly when the ambient
temperatures go over 25 or 30 degrees.
Insufficient ventilation would be the cause of most fault
complaints concerning absorption refrigerators when I have been called on to help troubled motorvan owners.
Refrigerators remove heat from inside the cooling box and then radiate that heat from the refrigerator by way
of the radiator fins on the back of the unit. If the area behind the refrigerator is unable to get rid of
this energy and the air heats up, the fridge will not function properly.
The amount of ventilation recommended by the manufacturers is serious, the recommended sizes of aperture
should be adhered to and not reduced in size. In fact it is a good idea to aid the air movement with the
addition of a small fan at the upper vent that is installed to suck the hot air out of the cavity behind the
fridge and blow it outside. This will help the operation of the refrigerator, particularly during hot weather
conditions. While on this subject of fans, you will find it a good idea to install a manual over ride switch
to turn the fan off at night, to save on the sleep deprivation problems you may have.
When installing an LP Gas operated fridge do not forget to install the balanced flue devise that you get
with the fridge. Don't just ram a length of aluminium ducting over the burner stack and vent to the outside
of the van, as the first breeze that blows down the burner stack will blow the burner out, which will then
cause the fridge to heat up. This particular installation fault is a bit of a worry to diagnose, as one is
not always able to see what is going on behind a fridge once it is installed and has caught more than
one repairman out before today.
When installing the lower vent, try to make this a removable vent so that it can be removed to service
the burner for the fridge. If you use the fridge on LPG it is a good idea to have the burner serviced every
12 months. It is no different to any other type of gas burner and uses a great deal of air to burn. Any
airborne dust will get trapped in the burner and reduce the heat produced from the flame and thus the
operation of the fridge. A good blast of air in and around the burner will generally do the job and have
a good cleanup around the back of the fridge while you at it. Also check the gas tightness of the gas
connections at the back of the fridge using 5%dish wash detergent in water with the aid of a brush on the
joints, ensure you have the gas bottle turned on while you do this check. Better still get a serviceman
to do it for you and have him check the operation of all your gas appliances for you, you may find it
money well spent when things start operating properly and safely.
I hope this article helps you get the enjoyment you deserve from your motor home or caravan.
Lex Ward
Ward's R.V. ACCESSORIES
LOWER HUTT
Technical Rep CCNZI
Letter to the Editor
Through your column I would like to warn our members of the dangers
of miss handling LPG gases and appliances.
Please do not play with the contents of LPG cylinders;
remember 1 litre of LPG liquid will produce approximately 300 litres of LPG Vapour. Also remember that the
LPG Vapour is heavier than air and if there is no draft to blow it away it will hang around undetected for
quite some period of time and may only be found by some stray ignition source. Not a pleasant thought having
to spend the rest of your life wearing a body suit to protect that burnt skin and hold yourself together!
It is foolhardy, to say the least, to endanger yourself, let alone the safety of your neighbours
Also it is not a good idea to use camping type high pressure cookers and lanterns inside caravans
or motorhomes. There are cases of these being the cause of serious fires within caravans causing death.
The only type of gas appliance that should be used within a caravan is the low-pressure type that is fed via
a low pressure LPG regulator. If you need light when off power use low voltage florescent lamps or similar.
A full gas cylinder should never be stored or used inside the caravan. It should only be stored in the gas
cylinder locker that is sealed from the inside of the caravan.
Lex Ward (12673)
Wards R.V. ACCESSORIES