I would like to know how much batter the fridge make cold if the Westy
has a proper top/bottom gravity vents for the refrigerator like most
American conversion vans. As is it relies the hot air to rise through
the roof vent. There isn't a cool air supply in the entire vehicle at
floor level to promote the natural convection unless you leave the
sliding door open. The cabin would also be at least 10 F cooler without
the significant heat gain from the propane fridge.

Unfortunately I cannot bear cutting holes on the side of the vehicle.

Cutting a hole on the floor behind the fridge and install a baffle so
water from wet road does not splash into the cabin can be a very good
alternative.

- Vince

http://gipsyflies.home.comcast.net
1989 Vanagon GL Camper
1993 Mazda Miata (for sale)
1996 Land Rover Discovery
2005 Mini Cooper S

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf
Of Alistair Bell
Sent: Tuesday, September 07, 2004 2:28 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Westy fridge fan on, but fridge is off (I think)

Malcolm,

I re-insulated my van a few years ago with pink fiberglass and a vapour
barrier. After that I took 2 trips to Dinosaur Prov. Park in ALberta
where it was stinking hot :), well 40C and bright sunshine. The van was
not in the shade and got blasted on the fridge side despite my efforts
to shade it. the fridge fan didn't come on, but the fridge worked well.
Then I installed the muffin fan and now it runs a lot :)

The stock fan is a flimsy bit of work.

ab

On 1-Sep-04, at 5:22 PM, Malcolm Stebbins wrote:

> Changing the topic slightly,  I put foil backed bubble insulation (2
> layers) in behind the fridge
> in the van wall and this summer, my fan NEVER came on (that I heard)
> even though we drove through HOT Wash DC.  Malcolm