Hi all, i know this topic has been thoroughly discussed before but am in need of a recap!
When fitting a fridge vent shade is it best to cover top vent also?
The shade material is breathable so will let the rising heat out if covering the top is the way to go.
Thanks in advance.
Kezngaz.
Dougwe said
09:26 AM Apr 8, 2017
How, Kezngaz.
My shade for that side goes nearly full length of van and full height, so is above top vent. I also fitted two 12v computer fans to help suck hot air out. Works fine with my aluminium tee pee.
-- Edited by Dougwe on Saturday 8th of April 2017 12:00:29 PM
Phil C said
11:30 AM Apr 8, 2017
Gday folks.
We have a full length shade like my mate Dougwe plus a small awning over the vents. Works a treat in our box on wheels...
BTW Dougwe, why do rangers outsell collies?
Tony Bev said
11:37 AM Apr 8, 2017
Helo Kezngaz
I have a brother who has a shade over his three way fridge vent, as his fridge is on the opposite side of the door/awning
I have not seen it yet, as we have never travelled together
I am led to believe that it is full length, covering both top and bottom vents, and that he sticks it on using suction pads I will assume that because it is moveable, he can reposition it, as the sun moves Like Doug, (and I assume most of us), he has computer fans to assist the air movement
I do not have to worry about a fridge shade, as (like Doug), my fridge is on the same side as the door/awning
When I stop, and decide that I am not going to have the awning out, then I will position the vehicle, so that my three way fridge is in the shade
Hope that this info is helpful to you
Edit to say Hello PhilC
You must have posted as I was typing
-- Edited by Tony Bev on Saturday 8th of April 2017 11:39:22 AM
Dougwe said
12:02 PM Apr 8, 2017
Phil C wrote:
Gday folks.
We have a full length shade like my mate Dougwe plus a small awning over the vents. Works a treat in our box on wheels...
BTW Dougwe, why do rangers outsell collies?
Sorry for Phil going 'off topic' Kevngaz but He asked so not to be rude I will answer.
Phil, coz they don't know any better, mate.
Phil C said
02:31 PM Apr 8, 2017
Dougwe wrote:
Phil C wrote:
Gday folks.
We have a full length shade like my mate Dougwe plus a small awning over the vents. Works a treat in our box on wheels...
BTW Dougwe, why do rangers outsell collies?
Sorry for Phil going 'off topic' Kevngaz but He asked so not to be rude I will answer.
Phil, coz they don't know any better, mate.
You silly old brave. Everyone knows a Ford trumps a hold on.
macka17 said
03:48 PM Apr 8, 2017
And a D-Max trumps both.
Just not so fancy and car like as others. hey.
Regarding fridge awning.
Why restrict it.
Get an old roll out material (I did) or a shade cloth
cut to suit, size wise.
Sail track along other side of van. Full length and as high as poss.
It insulates that full side from sun and rain. protects fridge outlet.
With reflective paint and panels on roof too.
Also, unless a low riding road van.
Gives a carport for my Patrol and now, this D-Max.
Plus. Plus. all the way to a comfortable coooool lounge chair inside.
and the 80ltr Waeco in rear of car.
I have Weatherproof plug in that side of van so I can run Solar from van to car
as Panel on tray roof is then negated.
Dick0 said
07:48 PM Apr 8, 2017
Hi Kezngaz,
I fitted a full length shade awning not just for the fridge but to assist cooling of the van.
This combination is very effective for fridge and van.
The fridge top vent has 2 x 120mm computer fans to exhaust heated air and is controlled by thermostat, and temp sensor is fitted between rear fridge fins.
Fans turn on when fins temp is 40C and turn off when 35C. These temps were ascertained after some experimenting.
When external air temp is 35C-40C my 3way Dometic 90lt fridge will hold 5C temp at #4 thermostat setting (on gas when free camping).
Hi Kezngaz,
On our Eagle camper, I screwed two sections of annex/sail cord track to the wind-up roof (one to shade the fridge & a window, one for the other window). When in hot (or wet) locations, I slid two equal lengths of dowel wrapped in shade cloth in & pegged the shade cloth out from the van side o the ground. Along with the fans (one in the top extracting the hot air, one in the bottom blowing air up) like Dougwe - it never gave any troubles after that. I powered my fans with a 10w solar panel - clipped on wires extended out of the vent (crude I know but it worked well). When that side of the van was in the sun, the panel kicked the fans into operation.
As I mentioned not so long ago, buying a T (or Tropic rated) 3way fridge is difficult. All vans sold in Townsville are the normal S (up to 38 degrees if I remember correctly) rating. And when searching for something on the net, I discovered that the T fridge has the fan (or fans) fitted!
Prior to that I had quite a bit of trouble in the heat up our way keeping the fridge cold.
macka17 said
09:48 PM Apr 8, 2017
Dick-o.
Go to Bunnings and but 5 extendable galv poles.
with longer guy ropes.
You can lift up that opposite side then. and keep car. and\or. like us.
Shower tent under there too.
Our shower tent slides onto and assembles on opposite side at rear of van.
FULL privacy.
Dick0 said
12:17 PM Apr 9, 2017
macka17 wrote:
Dick-o. Go to Bunnings and but 5 extendable galv poles. with longer guy ropes. You can lift up that opposite side then. and keep car. and\or. like us. Shower tent under there too. Our shower tent slides onto and assembles on opposite side at rear of van.
FULL privacy.
Hi Macka,
I have poles and longer ropes for that purpose as an option.
Thanks for the suggestion anyway.
macka17 said
01:34 PM Apr 9, 2017
All fine hey.
And if you apply heat reflective paint to roof. you can keep van out in sun to utilise all panel power without getting over heated inside.
The mix. really works.
Paint. Panels, and shades. Darwin. Anywhere it hot.
Aircond and genny.
Our van lives at 24\26deg all yr, all over Aust.
Whatever the temps outside.
kezngaz said
09:03 PM Apr 9, 2017
Thanks for all the info guys.
Ive also got a 12v fan to fit thats powered by a solar panel, it makes sense to put the panel on same side of vent as Warren-Pat has mentioned, thanks for that.
Well ive fitted the sail track not only above the fridge top vent but also above the vent above that!!!!
If i went any higher i wouldnt be able to reach, thays why we went for the 600mm wide cloth not the full length, plus its less to carry.
Macka, would that reflective paint stick to an ally sheet van?
Im assuming you have used it on a fibreglass pop top?
Cheers guys n gals..
Kezngaz.
Cupie said
11:07 PM Apr 9, 2017
Dougwe wrote:
How, Kezngaz.
My shade for that side goes nearly full length of van and full height, so is above top vent. I also fitted two 12v computer fans to help suck hot air out. Works fine with my aluminium tee pee.
-- Edited by Dougwe on Saturday 8th of April 2017 12:00:29 PM
Me too .... & my mate The Awning Man fitted the sail track for nothing but a cup of tea & a chat.
I use a Coast to Coast silver privacy screen which IMHO is far more effective at reflecting heat than shade cloth. I erect it like a lean to & store my kayaks & push bike under it (secured with a chain of course).
My extraction fans are on a manual switch but I might look at the thermo control approach .. another project. Though not sure that I can justify the expense of reflective paint given the age of the van & its owner and we only use CPs so power for A/C is always available.
macka17 said
11:51 PM Apr 9, 2017
No Kez.
I wouldn't have a fibreglass van thank you.
Seen too many Jayco's to have any peace of mind.
Mostly going back to factory for repairs.
Ally sheet vans fine.
Just scrub roof first get crap off.
Dig out as much silicon as poss from all roof seams.
I found it easiest to find flat land.
hire 10ft tressles from Broons for 2 days. with a 12ft
scaffold plank or two
(They cheap enuff.) and you just walk along the side of van.
reaching across to do an easy job.
Did do first van with ladder. Up\Down\Up\Down.
Nah.. Tressles mate.
Scrub again, with Acetone , Hand in rubber glove.
Also good idea to run a strip of masking tape along edge of roof.
On van side. Otherwise you'll get white overbrush marks after it's dry.
Stir well. 3 good coats from pack one.
2 (or till it all gone) coats of pack 2.
I found the small 4\5 in small dia rollers were the best to control application of.
Best is one way application only. Thicker the better without lines.
It's heat. Noise and leak proofing.
Specially if you apply BEFORE panels.
WELL worth it. You'll appreciate it afterwards.
Same as Mastic underguard Paint, Brushed on underfloor of van.
INCLUDING the galv chassis rails.
And go round INSIDE the wheel arch lockers
Sika round the seams to ground there too.
They a sneaky leak that one.
Have fun won't you hey.
That'll keep you happy for a week or so.
Lancelot Link said
02:54 AM Apr 10, 2017
Rocky Horror Picture Show
Desert Dweller said
06:48 PM Apr 10, 2017
We had a small extraction fan fitted. If the sun is on the fridge side of the van we place our washing line next to it with a tablecloth over the top to put the top & bottom vents in shade. Not rocket science but it works OK.
SouthernComfort said
08:23 AM Apr 11, 2017
Desert Dweller wrote:
We had a small extraction fan fitted. If the sun is on the fridge side of the van we place our washing line next to it with a tablecloth over the top to put the top & bottom vents in shade. Not rocket science but it works OK.
Great idea. Anyone can spend money on the never ending list of "must have" equipment, but I love the simple remedies!! And not a hole drilled!
kezngaz said
11:28 AM Apr 12, 2017
Keeping it simple is always the better option, i agree..
Thanks for all the replies.
Kezngaz.
macka17 said
09:45 AM Apr 13, 2017
Kez.
Found details of that paint in shed on old box.
Australian Paints. "Thermashield" Springwood QLD.
07-3806-7001
Most of them will work, to some levels.
this one IS good.
On live in sheds in SA and Q'land. plus vans.
Even a Galvabond Double carport enclosed for kids.
Warren-Pat_01 said
09:53 PM Apr 13, 2017
Kezngaz,
Before I left Telstra in 2006, I was involved with a project to safeguard the optic cards in the roadside cabinets. They were expensive to repair & becoming low in number.
I was told to work with a couple of painters who came to Townsille to paint the cabinets with "a special" paint. I don't know the brand but I know it worked. We had three identical cabinets (layout, loading) one was plain light green, one was painted white, the other a yucky bluish green. The difference between cabinet internal temps of the "painted' cabinets & the original was 7 degrees & failure rates reduced dramatically. Data loggers read the temps every hour for two weeks when we down-loaded it, then started again.
How they were painted - the painters borrowed a couple of buckets of water from houses nearby. They covered the vents & locks, washed down the cabinets & removing the chalkiness. Then when dry, they sprayed the cabinets once. So much for preparation! They told me the greenish one wouldn't be effective as only their white was "guaranteed'. The results were the same for the two painted ones.
Whether the project continued, I suspect not. The chap who was driving it in Brisbane left so I was them working with a chap from TCW in NSW. Then I left!
I had my house roof painted with this type of paint - it was a Dulux product. The roof was cool to touch - in Townsville metal left in the sun for a short time gets HOT!
Macka, that paint used to be advertised in magazines. I wonder why they stopped? Cost?
Tony Bev said
12:14 AM Apr 14, 2017
Hope that I am not going too far off topic
I read a report from CSIRO (so I assume it is on the internet somewhere)
They checked out some thermal type paint, and compared it to normal white gloss paint.
Conclusion was that there was not much difference.
It appears that thermal paint has glass balls in it, which is lumpy
You then paint over it to fill the gaps, otherwise the dust/dirt will be get trapped in the valleys
I was going to paint my roof with thermal paint, until I read that report
macka17 said
10:48 AM Apr 15, 2017
Dunno about any report Tony.
But all the ones I KNOW were done and been inside of.
Were originally painted with Oh ****. "Paint"....
After the "glass ball" treatment.
There is another compound, Highly reflective, in top coat.
and they ALL were a lot coooler,
Read livable in. In a galv large tin shed
North of Townsville.
This stuff is a dual effect coating, being thick flexible and waterproof.
It also Does a VERY good job of sealing the complete roof
for a loooond time.
Same with my vans.
Report aside.
I can live outside of shade in Darwin area. Comfortably
AFTER painting.. whereas b4.... NOPE.
With paint\panels on roof.
Roll out one side. full awning the other.
Shielding sides of van. Carport for car,
and also shielding fridge vents.
I'm not one for reports, Paper or otherwise.
More the practical. physical way and go by MY results.
Pig headed. Probaly. Ask Di. Chuckle.
Specially with solar and capacity's,
In the beginning. I conflicted with a few, paper readers.
In van and solar forums.
But all mine were from the results of MY doing not reading.
and funnily, regarding my results.
Mostly worked.
Di just said "tell them you never read instructions either."
Till later. Double chuckle,
Hi all, i know this topic has been thoroughly discussed before but am in need of a recap!
When fitting a fridge vent shade is it best to cover top vent also?
The shade material is breathable so will let the rising heat out if covering the top is the way to go.
Thanks in advance.
Kezngaz.
How, Kezngaz.
My shade for that side goes nearly full length of van and full height, so is above top vent. I also fitted two 12v computer fans to help suck hot air out. Works fine with my aluminium tee pee.
-- Edited by Dougwe on Saturday 8th of April 2017 12:00:29 PM
We have a full length shade like my mate Dougwe plus a small awning over the vents. Works a treat in our box on wheels...
BTW Dougwe, why do rangers outsell collies?
Helo Kezngaz
I have a brother who has a shade over his three way fridge vent, as his fridge is on the opposite side of the door/awning
I have not seen it yet, as we have never travelled together
I am led to believe that it is full length, covering both top and bottom vents, and that he sticks it on using suction pads
I will assume that because it is moveable, he can reposition it, as the sun moves
Like Doug, (and I assume most of us), he has computer fans to assist the air movement
I do not have to worry about a fridge shade, as (like Doug), my fridge is on the same side as the door/awning
When I stop, and decide that I am not going to have the awning out, then I will position the vehicle, so that my three way fridge is in the shade
Hope that this info is helpful to you
Edit to say
Hello PhilC
You must have posted as I was typing
-- Edited by Tony Bev on Saturday 8th of April 2017 11:39:22 AM
Sorry for Phil going 'off topic' Kevngaz but He asked so not to be rude I will answer.
Phil, coz they don't know any better, mate.
You silly old brave. Everyone knows a Ford trumps a hold on.
Just not so fancy and car like as others. hey.
Regarding fridge awning.
Why restrict it.
Get an old roll out material (I did) or a shade cloth
cut to suit, size wise.
Sail track along other side of van. Full length and as high as poss.
It insulates that full side from sun and rain. protects fridge outlet.
With reflective paint and panels on roof too.
Also, unless a low riding road van.
Gives a carport for my Patrol and now, this D-Max.
Plus. Plus. all the way to a comfortable coooool lounge chair inside.
and the 80ltr Waeco in rear of car.
I have Weatherproof plug in that side of van so I can run Solar from van to car
as Panel on tray roof is then negated.
Hi Kezngaz,
I fitted a full length shade awning not just for the fridge but to assist cooling of the van.
This combination is very effective for fridge and van.
The fridge top vent has 2 x 120mm computer fans to exhaust heated air and is controlled by thermostat, and temp sensor is fitted between rear fridge fins.
Fans turn on when fins temp is 40C and turn off when 35C. These temps were ascertained after some experimenting.
When external air temp is 35C-40C my 3way Dometic 90lt fridge will hold 5C temp at #4 thermostat setting (on gas when free camping).
Hope the picture also helps.
On our Eagle camper, I screwed two sections of annex/sail cord track to the wind-up roof (one to shade the fridge & a window, one for the other window). When in hot (or wet) locations, I slid two equal lengths of dowel wrapped in shade cloth in & pegged the shade cloth out from the van side o the ground. Along with the fans (one in the top extracting the hot air, one in the bottom blowing air up) like Dougwe - it never gave any troubles after that. I powered my fans with a 10w solar panel - clipped on wires extended out of the vent (crude I know but it worked well). When that side of the van was in the sun, the panel kicked the fans into operation.
As I mentioned not so long ago, buying a T (or Tropic rated) 3way fridge is difficult. All vans sold in Townsville are the normal S (up to 38 degrees if I remember correctly) rating. And when searching for something on the net, I discovered that the T fridge has the fan (or fans) fitted!
Prior to that I had quite a bit of trouble in the heat up our way keeping the fridge cold.
Go to Bunnings and but 5 extendable galv poles.
with longer guy ropes.
You can lift up that opposite side then. and keep car. and\or. like us.
Shower tent under there too.
Our shower tent slides onto and assembles on opposite side at rear of van.
FULL privacy.
Hi Macka,
I have poles and longer ropes for that purpose as an option.
Thanks for the suggestion anyway.
And if you apply heat reflective paint to roof. you can keep van out in sun to utilise all panel power without getting over heated inside.
The mix. really works.
Paint. Panels, and shades. Darwin. Anywhere it hot.
Aircond and genny.
Our van lives at 24\26deg all yr, all over Aust.
Whatever the temps outside.
Ive also got a 12v fan to fit thats powered by a solar panel, it makes sense to put the panel on same side of vent as Warren-Pat has mentioned, thanks for that.
Well ive fitted the sail track not only above the fridge top vent but also above the vent above that!!!!
If i went any higher i wouldnt be able to reach, thays why we went for the 600mm wide cloth not the full length, plus its less to carry.
Macka, would that reflective paint stick to an ally sheet van?
Im assuming you have used it on a fibreglass pop top?
Cheers guys n gals..
Kezngaz.
Me too .... & my mate The Awning Man fitted the sail track for nothing but a cup of tea & a chat.
I use a Coast to Coast silver privacy screen which IMHO is far more effective at reflecting heat than shade cloth. I erect it like a lean to & store my kayaks & push bike under it (secured with a chain of course).
My extraction fans are on a manual switch but I might look at the thermo control approach .. another project. Though not sure that I can justify the expense of reflective paint given the age of the van & its owner and we only use CPs so power for A/C is always available.
I wouldn't have a fibreglass van thank you.
Seen too many Jayco's to have any peace of mind.
Mostly going back to factory for repairs.
Ally sheet vans fine.
Just scrub roof first get crap off.
Dig out as much silicon as poss from all roof seams.
I found it easiest to find flat land.
hire 10ft tressles from Broons for 2 days. with a 12ft
scaffold plank or two
(They cheap enuff.) and you just walk along the side of van.
reaching across to do an easy job.
Did do first van with ladder. Up\Down\Up\Down.
Nah.. Tressles mate.
Scrub again, with Acetone , Hand in rubber glove.
Also good idea to run a strip of masking tape along edge of roof.
On van side. Otherwise you'll get white overbrush marks after it's dry.
Stir well. 3 good coats from pack one.
2 (or till it all gone) coats of pack 2.
I found the small 4\5 in small dia rollers were the best to control application of.
Best is one way application only. Thicker the better without lines.
It's heat. Noise and leak proofing.
Specially if you apply BEFORE panels.
WELL worth it. You'll appreciate it afterwards.
Same as Mastic underguard Paint, Brushed on underfloor of van.
INCLUDING the galv chassis rails.
And go round INSIDE the wheel arch lockers
Sika round the seams to ground there too.
They a sneaky leak that one.
Have fun won't you hey.
That'll keep you happy for a week or so.
Great idea. Anyone can spend money on the never ending list of "must have" equipment, but I love the simple remedies!! And not a hole drilled!
Thanks for all the replies.
Kezngaz.
Found details of that paint in shed on old box.
Australian Paints. "Thermashield" Springwood QLD.
07-3806-7001
Most of them will work, to some levels.
this one IS good.
On live in sheds in SA and Q'land. plus vans.
Even a Galvabond Double carport enclosed for kids.
Before I left Telstra in 2006, I was involved with a project to safeguard the optic cards in the roadside cabinets. They were expensive to repair & becoming low in number.
I was told to work with a couple of painters who came to Townsille to paint the cabinets with "a special" paint. I don't know the brand but I know it worked. We had three identical cabinets (layout, loading) one was plain light green, one was painted white, the other a yucky bluish green. The difference between cabinet internal temps of the "painted' cabinets & the original was 7 degrees & failure rates reduced dramatically. Data loggers read the temps every hour for two weeks when we down-loaded it, then started again.
How they were painted - the painters borrowed a couple of buckets of water from houses nearby. They covered the vents & locks, washed down the cabinets & removing the chalkiness. Then when dry, they sprayed the cabinets once. So much for preparation! They told me the greenish one wouldn't be effective as only their white was "guaranteed'. The results were the same for the two painted ones.
Whether the project continued, I suspect not. The chap who was driving it in Brisbane left so I was them working with a chap from TCW in NSW. Then I left!
I had my house roof painted with this type of paint - it was a Dulux product. The roof was cool to touch - in Townsville metal left in the sun for a short time gets HOT!
Macka, that paint used to be advertised in magazines. I wonder why they stopped? Cost?
I read a report from CSIRO (so I assume it is on the internet somewhere)
They checked out some thermal type paint, and compared it to normal white gloss paint.
Conclusion was that there was not much difference.
It appears that thermal paint has glass balls in it, which is lumpy
You then paint over it to fill the gaps, otherwise the dust/dirt will be get trapped in the valleys
I was going to paint my roof with thermal paint, until I read that report
But all the ones I KNOW were done and been inside of.
Were originally painted with Oh ****. "Paint"....
After the "glass ball" treatment.
There is another compound, Highly reflective, in top coat.
and they ALL were a lot coooler,
Read livable in. In a galv large tin shed
North of Townsville.
This stuff is a dual effect coating, being thick flexible and waterproof.
It also Does a VERY good job of sealing the complete roof
for a loooond time.
Same with my vans.
Report aside.
I can live outside of shade in Darwin area. Comfortably
AFTER painting.. whereas b4.... NOPE.
With paint\panels on roof.
Roll out one side. full awning the other.
Shielding sides of van. Carport for car,
and also shielding fridge vents.
I'm not one for reports, Paper or otherwise.
More the practical. physical way and go by MY results.
Pig headed. Probaly. Ask Di. Chuckle.
Specially with solar and capacity's,
In the beginning. I conflicted with a few, paper readers.
In van and solar forums.
But all mine were from the results of MY doing not reading.
and funnily, regarding my results.
Mostly worked.
Di just said "tell them you never read instructions either."
Till later. Double chuckle,