Should you cover air vents, eg on door & rear of fridge when travelling on dirty, dusty roads to prevent dust entering your van ?
Peter_n_Margaret said
04:44 PM Apr 2, 2021
It is illegal to cover the vents.
The other alternative is to pressurise the inside of the van with clean air, so that lower leaks all leak out, not in.
Cheers,
Peter
HandyWalter said
04:59 PM Apr 2, 2021
Not sure its illegal. The only requirement is that you must have the van vented to outside air when you have a gas appliance on. So the default build is to put the vents in. However when you are driving, no gas appliance is/should be on, so covering the vents is preferrable to stop dust. I use a scupper vent on the roof and when on dusty roads, cover all my vents with carboard taped. on. I remove it when we pull up.
bgt said
05:05 PM Apr 2, 2021
I found a fine thin sheet of foam. Cut is to size, took the inside of the vent off, put the foam in and screwed the inside cover back on. My theory is that it will still allow gas to exit if need be. But on dusty roads the foam 'should' stop most of the dust. Open you dash air vents and close everything else. As Peter says that will give you a positive pressure which will also help.
Peter_n_Margaret said
05:07 PM Apr 2, 2021
HandyWalter wrote:
Not sure its illegal. The only requirement is that you must have the van vented to outside air when you have a gas appliance on.
I have not checked the regs since I built the OKA, but at that time they were required to be PERMANENTLY open, top and bottom, at all times.
I doubt the regulations have changed.
Cheers,
Peter
Aus-Kiwi said
05:09 PM Apr 2, 2021
I fit an oiled foam over vents . Its used in domestic Air Conditioning .
Greg 1 said
06:08 PM Apr 2, 2021
The air vents are for carbon monoxide which is odourless and produced by burning hydrocarbons.
I tape mine up but make sure that if there is any gas appliance going in the van, they are uncovered and at least one window and a hatch cracked to provide ventilation.
Peter is correct though. The vents are mandatory if you have gas or fuel appliances and should be permanently open.
Whenarewethere said
06:34 PM Apr 2, 2021
Get an air compressor so wifey can clean the dust out!
Made a magnetic cover for our entry door. D S taped magnet strip to attach,remove. Hopefully less dust than velcroed. But a sign to remind us to remove when fridge on gas.
erad said
09:00 PM Apr 2, 2021
On our 16.5 ft Jayco Poptop, I fit some foam carpet underlay to the lower door vent when travelling on dusty roads. The first trip of our van on a dirt road saw us with at least 10 mm of dust on the table (immediately nest to the door). The dust laden air had come in through the lower vent and was exiting out an upper vent beside the door, leaving most of the dust behind. SWMBO was not amused...
I fitted some foam carpet underlay for the next trip (outback SW Qld) and at times, between Nocundra and Tiboorburra we could not see the caravan - the dust was so thick, yet we had minimal dust inside the van when we finally stopped. Some dust had entered under the left rear bed. The carpet underlay was absolutely choked with dust, but that washed out OK. SWMBO was very happy... After this trip, we fitted a scupper vent into the roof to pressurise the van even more, but as yet we have not used that vent at all. The foam insert on the lower door vent is sufficient.
It is VITAL that when you stop, you must remove the foam from the door. The door vent is put there to allow any leaked LPG (LPG is heavier than air) to escape, thereby minimising the risk of an explosion. You have LPG in the fridge and the stove, so leaks can come from either.
Regarding sealing around the fridge, on our van, there is a power supply box under the seat adjacent to the fridge. Jayco, in their huge quality control drilled a 60 mm hole to allow the fridge power cord to pass through the wall and plug into the 240 V outlet under the seat. That let some dust into the van, so my wife stuffed some plastic bags around the cord to seal that hole. The fridge does not fit very snugly in its hole either, but strangely little if any dust enters around the fridge. What goes in the lower vent seems to go out either the top vent or back out the bottom - at least it doesn't seem to enter the caravan at all. Obviously each caravan is different, and the locations of vents may significantly alter dust proofing performance, but I offer the above as guide - it certainly works for us.
Connie and Colin said
12:14 AM Apr 3, 2021
thank you to everyone for your advice & ideas, much appreciated.
Connie & Colin
HandyWalter said
06:50 AM Apr 3, 2021
Seems to me most people making suggestions here and on other forums, magazine articles etc are then breaking the law if the law exists for when you are travelling with no gas appliance on. Cant wait to see someone fined for breaking this law. And to date I have not heard or read of one person in such circumstances being caught or cautioned either.
Radar said
07:55 AM Apr 3, 2021
I find this all a bit much.
The 3 way frig sit in a bute build in area with a good size vent to the out side and one on the roof for burnt gases. Thermocouple controlled gas connection, never ever hear of one jamed open, so there is no possible gas can escape there. If it did it would be to the outside only.
Now the stove, the protective lid needs to be up to allow the gas to flow to the Thermocouples at the burner. No possible escape of raw gas.
Now burnt gas inside would be different, if it rises it would escape though the European style vents in our caravan as they have air vents in there design. So safe there to a point.
In some ways my thoughts are it is thinking back to the days when caravans first started using gas stoves in them like my parents 1973 Millard. Early caravans used metho stoves.
Some of this thinking is from needs way back when there was no safety Thermocouples as such.
erad said
08:45 AM Apr 3, 2021
Radar: The vent in the door is to allow unburnt LPG to escape. Yes - agree that modern appliances have safety cutoffs etc, but you can still have small leaks in the connections to the appliances. Over time, the leaked gas would build up on the floor of the van and when a spark or naked flame occurred, BANG!.
The gas connection on our 3 way fridge is on top of the unit, and any leakage form the pipe junction could go either way - inside or outside.
-- Edited by erad on Saturday 3rd of April 2021 08:46:53 AM
Peter_n_Margaret said
08:55 AM Apr 3, 2021
Ah yes, if the law does not suit you, the law must be wrong?
And it does not matter if you break the law if you don't get caught?
Cheers,
Peter
Mike Harding said
09:50 AM Apr 3, 2021
Peter_n_Margaret wrote:
Ah yes, if the law does not suit you, the law must be wrong? And it does not matter if you break the law if you don't get caught?
Many laws are wrong; some laws are both wrong and bad - such laws should be disobeyed and ignored.
Peter_n_Margaret said
10:21 AM Apr 3, 2021
Mike Harding wrote:
Peter_n_Margaret wrote:
Ah yes, if the law does not suit you, the law must be wrong? And it does not matter if you break the law if you don't get caught?
Many laws are wrong; some laws are both wrong and bad - such laws should be disobeyed and ignored.
And are you saying this is one of them and that advising people to ignore it is the best way forward?
Cheers,
Peter
RichardK said
01:07 PM Apr 3, 2021
Our van has a hinged stainless steel cover that lifts up and seals the vent when traveling, to open the door the cover must be released otherwise the van door will not open, the van has a full gas compliance certificate and was built in QLD in 2016 so assuming they don't have different regs there and the regs haven't changed since then it must be OK to cover the vents when traveling.
Gas. Some folks lock the door to their gas compartment. Illegal? If not dumb. Gas can "leak" in many ways. All it takes is some form of ignition. BOOM. It's not hard to run the gas for quite a while on the cooker before it ignites. Gas compartments have a hole in the floor. All of this is for your safety. Inconvenient? Maybe.
Mike Harding said
03:18 PM Apr 3, 2021
Peter_n_Margaret wrote: And are you saying this is one of them and that advising people to ignore it is the best way forward?
Rather I am addressing your implication that "The Law" is sacrosanct and must never be disobeyed.
Are you *really* suggesting that all laws throughout history were wise and good and should have been adhered to by all citizens? Such would be the argument of a fool and I suspect you probably are not.
For me; my conscience will always be the determinant of what is right or wrong not the musings of a parliament comprised of all but one for who I voted.
Aus-Kiwi said
05:29 PM Apr 3, 2021
I was one of the first to the plumbers van that exploded in East Ryde a few years back . Trust me ! DONT totally cover gas vents !! 20 years on still gives me grief !! The dust isnt so bad ! Look at it as a memorial of your travels !! Rather that another memorial !!
Greg 1 said
07:56 PM Apr 3, 2021
I am not keen on having gas bottles in a compartment. Mine are in the traditional place on the A frame. One of my hitch up checks is to turn the gas off. Makes sure that there is no possibility of an appliance leaking whilst on the move.
Brodie Allen said
08:19 PM Apr 3, 2021
The law will be spot-on and correct and sacrosanct - when you want to make an insurance claim, or somebody is poisoned or there's an explosion and there's a police matter also.
My solution - I reversed the smaller of the Roof vents so that it points forward rather than backwards. Backwards it actually creates a negative air pressure inside the van, forwards it creates a positive pressure. And pull the nightshade shut over the other roof vent.
As far as catching too much air and getting ripped off the roof - has never happened.
nearly 100,000K and seven years.
To see how secure they are closed, go try to push it up when closed!
And to be really sure, I fill the footwell with a few towels and the 'fridge lower vent I cover with a piece of acrylic and tape it in place if it is going to be a long trip on the dust. Easy Peasy.
Scupper vents would be great but fitting was a real drama on my last van. Best specified when ordering the van.
-- Edited by Brodie Allen on Saturday 3rd of April 2021 08:22:01 PM
oldbloke said
09:23 PM Apr 3, 2021
Greg 1 wrote:
The air vents are for carbon monoxide which is odourless and produced by burning hydrocarbons. I tape mine up but make sure that if there is any gas appliance going in the van, they are uncovered and at least one window and a hatch cracked to provide ventilation. Peter is correct though. The vents are mandatory if you have gas or fuel appliances and should be permanently open.
Agree 100%.
You need to understand the intent of any law. Rather than just monkey do.
Very important another window or vent also be open.
oldbloke said
09:28 PM Apr 3, 2021
Brodie Allen wrote:
The law will be spot-on and correct and sacrosanct - when you want to make an insurance claim, or somebody is poisoned or there's an explosion and there's a police matter also.
My solution - I reversed the smaller of the Roof vents so that it points forward rather than backwards. Backwards it actually creates a negative air pressure inside the van, forwards it creates a positive pressure. And pull the nightshade shut over the other roof vent.
As far as catching too much air and getting ripped off the roof - has never happened.
nearly 100,000K and seven years.
To see how secure they are closed, go try to push it up when closed!
And to be really sure, I fill the footwell with a few towels and the 'fridge lower vent I cover with a piece of acrylic and tape it in place if it is going to be a long trip on the dust. Easy Peasy.
Scupper vents would be great but fitting was a real drama on my last van. Best specified when ordering the van.
-- Edited by Brodie Allen on Saturday 3rd of April 2021 08:22:01 PM
Have often wondered about that. I have a vent that opens forward. But people claim they will get blown off?
Bobdown said
10:32 PM Apr 3, 2021
It's not that hard fellows, turn the gas bottle off when you drive off.
When you get to a gravel road more than say 20k long to where you want to go, tape up your door and bottom fridge vent, open scupper and drive.
When you set up camp, remove taped up sections and open door and windows, turn the gas on, close scupper.
Have seen lots of small shower vents open when vans go past oldbloke, but they have all been facing rearwards and flapping about a bit.
Cheers Bob
Radar said
04:27 AM Apr 4, 2021
erad wrote:
Radar: The vent in the door is to allow unburnt LPG to escape. Yes - agree that modern appliances have safety cutoffs etc, but you can still have small leaks in the connections to the appliances. Over time, the leaked gas would build up on the floor of the van and when a spark or naked flame occurred, BANG!.
The gas connection on our 3 way fridge is on top of the unit, and any leakage form the pipe junction could go either way - inside or outside.
Hi, from 7.30 am till 9.25 am when we left to go town yesterday the door on the caravan was open, then shut 27 times, the door left totally open a for period, eg while I put my shoes on, swept the caravan out, some 6 times.
When we come home from our outing the caravan was left open while I transferred the shopping, took my shoes off for a period of time.
There is just no way gasses are going to build up in our caravan what with the main door left open and the fly screen shut.
As for leaks, I think I will sell the caravan and live in a cotton wool lined box.
-- Edited by Radar on Sunday 4th of April 2021 04:31:31 AM
Mike Harding said
07:24 AM Apr 4, 2021
Radar wrote:
As for leaks, I think I will sell the caravan and live in a cotton wool lined box.
No, no no!
Clearly you haven't considered the dangers of inhaling microscopic cotton fragments producing lung disease.
HandyWalter said
08:42 AM Apr 4, 2021
My final comment on this. Those that want to follow "the law" (if indeed there is a law when on the move) and leave the vents open, even when the gas bottle is turned on or off, then do so and enjoy the day end clean up when on dirt roads. For the others (like me) , turn off the gas at the bottle, open the scupper vent, tape up the vents and enjoy a clean van inside at days end. And if you cannot remember to do any of this do as I do and write a list of things to do before drive off and arrival. Pretty simple for some....difficult for a few others.
Radar said
09:17 AM Apr 4, 2021
Mike Harding wrote:
Radar wrote:
As for leaks, I think I will sell the caravan and live in a cotton wool lined box.
No, no no!
Clearly you haven't considered the dangers of inhaling microscopic cotton fragments producing lung disease.
Should you cover air vents, eg on door & rear of fridge when travelling on dirty, dusty roads to prevent dust entering your van ?
The other alternative is to pressurise the inside of the van with clean air, so that lower leaks all leak out, not in.
Cheers,
Peter
Not sure its illegal. The only requirement is that you must have the van vented to outside air when you have a gas appliance on. So the default build is to put the vents in. However when you are driving, no gas appliance is/should be on, so covering the vents is preferrable to stop dust. I use a scupper vent on the roof and when on dusty roads, cover all my vents with carboard taped. on. I remove it when we pull up.
I have not checked the regs since I built the OKA, but at that time they were required to be PERMANENTLY open, top and bottom, at all times.
I doubt the regulations have changed.
Cheers,
Peter
Get an air compressor so wifey can clean the dust out!
I fitted some foam carpet underlay for the next trip (outback SW Qld) and at times, between Nocundra and Tiboorburra we could not see the caravan - the dust was so thick, yet we had minimal dust inside the van when we finally stopped. Some dust had entered under the left rear bed. The carpet underlay was absolutely choked with dust, but that washed out OK. SWMBO was very happy... After this trip, we fitted a scupper vent into the roof to pressurise the van even more, but as yet we have not used that vent at all. The foam insert on the lower door vent is sufficient.
It is VITAL that when you stop, you must remove the foam from the door. The door vent is put there to allow any leaked LPG (LPG is heavier than air) to escape, thereby minimising the risk of an explosion. You have LPG in the fridge and the stove, so leaks can come from either.
Regarding sealing around the fridge, on our van, there is a power supply box under the seat adjacent to the fridge. Jayco, in their huge quality control drilled a 60 mm hole to allow the fridge power cord to pass through the wall and plug into the 240 V outlet under the seat. That let some dust into the van, so my wife stuffed some plastic bags around the cord to seal that hole. The fridge does not fit very snugly in its hole either, but strangely little if any dust enters around the fridge. What goes in the lower vent seems to go out either the top vent or back out the bottom - at least it doesn't seem to enter the caravan at all. Obviously each caravan is different, and the locations of vents may significantly alter dust proofing performance, but I offer the above as guide - it certainly works for us.
Connie & Colin
I find this all a bit much.
The 3 way frig sit in a bute build in area with a good size vent to the out side and one on the roof for burnt gases. Thermocouple controlled gas connection, never ever hear of one jamed open, so there is no possible gas can escape there. If it did it would be to the outside only.
Now the stove, the protective lid needs to be up to allow the gas to flow to the Thermocouples at the burner. No possible escape of raw gas.
Now burnt gas inside would be different, if it rises it would escape though the European style vents in our caravan as they have air vents in there design. So safe there to a point.
In some ways my thoughts are it is thinking back to the days when caravans first started using gas stoves in them like my parents 1973 Millard. Early caravans used metho stoves.
Some of this thinking is from needs way back when there was no safety Thermocouples as such.
Radar:
The vent in the door is to allow unburnt LPG to escape. Yes - agree that modern appliances have safety cutoffs etc, but you can still have small leaks in the connections to the appliances. Over time, the leaked gas would build up on the floor of the van and when a spark or naked flame occurred, BANG!.
The gas connection on our 3 way fridge is on top of the unit, and any leakage form the pipe junction could go either way - inside or outside.
-- Edited by erad on Saturday 3rd of April 2021 08:46:53 AM
And it does not matter if you break the law if you don't get caught?
Cheers,
Peter
Many laws are wrong; some laws are both wrong and bad - such laws should be disobeyed and ignored.
And are you saying this is one of them and that advising people to ignore it is the best way forward?
Cheers,
Peter
Our van has a hinged stainless steel cover that lifts up and seals the vent when traveling, to open the door the cover must be released otherwise the van door will not open, the van has a full gas compliance certificate and was built in QLD in 2016 so assuming they don't have different regs there and the regs haven't changed since then it must be OK to cover the vents when traveling.
![20210403_094238[1] (1320 x 990).jpg](/download.spark?ID=2392175&aBID=51933 "20210403_094238[1] (1320 x 990).jpg")
Cheers
Richard
Rather I am addressing your implication that "The Law" is sacrosanct
and must never be disobeyed.
Are you *really* suggesting that all laws throughout history were
wise and good and should have been adhered to by all citizens? Such
would be the argument of a fool and I suspect you probably are not.
For me; my conscience will always be the determinant of what is right
or wrong not the musings of a parliament comprised of all but one for
who I voted.
The law will be spot-on and correct and sacrosanct - when you want to make an insurance claim,
or somebody is poisoned or there's an explosion and there's a police matter also.
My solution - I reversed the smaller of the Roof vents so that it points forward rather
than backwards. Backwards it actually creates a negative air pressure inside the van,
forwards it creates a positive pressure. And pull the nightshade shut over the other roof vent.
As far as catching too much air and getting ripped off the roof - has never happened.
nearly 100,000K and seven years.
To see how secure they are closed, go try to push it up when closed!
And to be really sure, I fill the footwell with a few towels and the 'fridge lower vent
I cover with a piece of acrylic and tape it in place if it is going to be a long trip on the
dust. Easy Peasy.
Scupper vents would be great but fitting was a real drama on my last van. Best
specified when ordering the van.
-- Edited by Brodie Allen on Saturday 3rd of April 2021 08:22:01 PM
Agree 100%.
You need to understand the intent of any law. Rather than just monkey do.
Very important another window or vent also be open.
Have often wondered about that. I have a vent that opens forward. But people claim they will get blown off?
It's not that hard fellows, turn the gas bottle off when you drive off.
When you get to a gravel road more than say 20k long to where you want to go, tape up your door and bottom fridge vent, open scupper and drive.
When you set up camp, remove taped up sections and open door and windows, turn the gas on, close scupper.
Have seen lots of small shower vents open when vans go past oldbloke, but they have all been facing rearwards and flapping about a bit.
Cheers Bob
Hi, from 7.30 am till 9.25 am when we left to go town yesterday the door on the caravan was open, then shut 27 times, the door left totally open a for period, eg while I put my shoes on, swept the caravan out, some 6 times.
When we come home from our outing the caravan was left open while I transferred the shopping, took my shoes off for a period of time.
There is just no way gasses are going to build up in our caravan what with the main door left open and the fly screen shut.
As for leaks, I think I will sell the caravan and live in a cotton wool lined box.
-- Edited by Radar on Sunday 4th of April 2021 04:31:31 AM
No, no no!
Clearly you haven't considered the dangers of inhaling microscopic cotton fragments producing lung disease.
Thank you Mike.
Now I am in serious trouble.