Kalapattar Posted April 28, 2021 Report Share Posted April 28, 2021 Hi all! I’m just wondering why my exhaust flue on a Dometic refrigerator is in parts? Is this just for flexibility? Should I tape them together to make it more secure because the joins are all very loose? Ta! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan de Enfield Posted April 28, 2021 Report Share Posted April 28, 2021 3 minutes ago, Kalapattar said: Hi all! I’m just wondering why my exhaust flue on a Dometic refrigerator is in parts? Is this just for flexibility? Should I tape them together to make it more secure because the joins are all very loose? Ta! I didn't realise that Dometic still made gas fridges, Is it 3-way (230v, 12v and gas) ? Is it absoption or compressor ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kalapattar Posted April 28, 2021 Author Report Share Posted April 28, 2021 (edited) Hi! It’s an old 3 way fridge and exhaust flue kits are still available on EBay Edited April 28, 2021 by Kalapattar Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kalapattar Posted April 28, 2021 Author Report Share Posted April 28, 2021 Just now, Kalapattar said: Hi! It’s an old fridge and exhaust flue kits are still available on EBay Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phoenix_V Posted April 28, 2021 Report Share Posted April 28, 2021 there is some stuff on installing one here, note a small (self tapping type screw I think) secures the top part. http://www.obrienscamping.co.uk/articles/FridgeInstall.htm Being a boat I think you have to ignore the bit about cutting a hole in the floor to let any gas escape leave the vehicle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kalapattar Posted April 28, 2021 Author Report Share Posted April 28, 2021 7 minutes ago, Phoenix_V said: there is some stuff on installing one here, note a small (self tapping type screw I think) secures the top part. http://www.obrienscamping.co.uk/articles/FridgeInstall.htm Being a boat I think you have to ignore the bit about cutting a hole in the floor to let any gas escape leave the vehicle. Ok, thanks for your post! It looks like flue parts are for flexibility! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan de Enfield Posted April 28, 2021 Report Share Posted April 28, 2021 (edited) Ahhhh ................. thats look like the old Electrolux vent kit. Whatever you do do not try and run it on 12 unless your engine is running, it will kill the batteries in a matter of a few hours. The instruction to caravanners was, if you stopped in the motorway services, to switch of the fridge or they wouldn't be able to start the car after half an hour or so. The idea was that you would plug the caravan into the 230v overnight before you left home, when it was down to temperature the next morning you could set off towing it plugged into the 12v, (whilst the engine was running) on arrival at the campsite you IMMEDIATELY changed over to gas, or plugged it into the 230v mains. Edited April 28, 2021 by Alan de Enfield Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kalapattar Posted April 28, 2021 Author Report Share Posted April 28, 2021 (edited) Hi! Thanks for your reply! I have no intention of using 12v. Only gas as stated in the topic. Ta! Edited April 28, 2021 by Kalapattar Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Brooks Posted April 28, 2021 Report Share Posted April 28, 2021 It's an absorption fridge. Just to point out that Dometic made a balance flue fridge specially for boats with the vent in the roof. I can't see anything that identifies it as the balance flue version or the side exit one those flue kits are for. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kalapattar Posted April 28, 2021 Author Report Share Posted April 28, 2021 (edited) Ok, well the flue is positioned to exhaust out of the side behind fridge! I’m just thinking of taping parts together for more of a secure fit Edited April 28, 2021 by Kalapattar Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Brooks Posted April 28, 2021 Report Share Posted April 28, 2021 2 minutes ago, Kalapattar said: Ok, well the flue is positioned to exhaust out of the side behind fridge! I’m just thinking of taping parts together for more of a secure fit Then that answers which fridge it is. Remember that hot gasses pass along the flue so whatever tape you use needs to allow for that. I expect aluminium tape would do but I think. I would use a short self tapper in each joint. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kalapattar Posted April 28, 2021 Author Report Share Posted April 28, 2021 Just now, Tony Brooks said: Then that answers which fridge it is. Remember that hot gasses pass along the flue so whatever tape you use needs to allow for that. I expect aluminium tape would do but I think. I would use a short self tapper in each joint. Hi! I’m going to use aluminium tape. I’m just wondering why parts are loosely connected Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Brooks Posted April 28, 2021 Report Share Posted April 28, 2021 Just now, Kalapattar said: Hi! I’m going to use aluminium tape. I’m just wondering why parts are loosely connected On the Electrolux version there were on;y three parts. A sort of drunken T piece that pushed down on top of the fridge flue and a long pipe that slotted into the "hull plate" so not much room for play but they were certainly not tight as such. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kalapattar Posted April 28, 2021 Author Report Share Posted April 28, 2021 3 minutes ago, Tony Brooks said: On the Electrolux version there were on;y three parts. A sort of drunken T piece that pushed down on top of the fridge flue and a long pipe that slotted into the "hull plate" so not much room for play but they were certainly not tight as such. Ok, loosely fitted to prevent rain or condensation running back down to burner perhaps? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tracy D'arth Posted April 28, 2021 Report Share Posted April 28, 2021 Lots of the flues on these gas fridges were never fitted, crazily venting straight into the cabin. They were never approved for boats by the manufacturers either! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kalapattar Posted April 28, 2021 Author Report Share Posted April 28, 2021 4 minutes ago, Tracy D'arth said: Lots of the flues on these gas fridges were never fitted, crazily venting straight into the cabin. They were never approved for boats by the manufacturers either! Ok, I have a recess in the gunwhale that sits a vent hole and cover presumably for such a flue! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan de Enfield Posted April 28, 2021 Report Share Posted April 28, 2021 5 minutes ago, Tracy D'arth said: Lots of the flues on these gas fridges were never fitted, crazily venting straight into the cabin. They were never approved for boats by the manufacturers either! And, I beleive that even today the are not allowed to be used on Petrol engined boats due to the explosion risk of a flame low down at floor level. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kalapattar Posted April 28, 2021 Author Report Share Posted April 28, 2021 1 minute ago, Alan de Enfield said: And, I beleive that even today the are not allowed to be used on Petrol engined boats due to the explosion risk of a flame low down at floor level. Ok, well mine is diesel powered 2 minutes ago, Kalapattar said: Ok, well mine is diesel powered I have a petrol generator! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackrose Posted May 3, 2021 Report Share Posted May 3, 2021 (edited) On 28/04/2021 at 18:43, Kalapattar said: Ok, I have a recess in the gunwhale that sits a vent hole and cover presumably for such a flue! Make sure it's kept clean and doesn't restrict the flue gases otherwise you're better off not using it and just venting into the boat. If it becomes blocked back pressures will build up and you may get much higher levels of CO in the boat because the flame isn't burning correctly. If you look at the open back of the slanted T piece on the flue kit I think you'll realise that gas tightness isn't an issue. On 28/04/2021 at 18:37, Tracy D'arth said: Lots of the flues on these gas fridges were never fitted, crazily venting straight into the cabin. They were never approved for boats by the manufacturers either! It's not really that crazy. It's a very small flame. No more crazy than an unflued gas hob. You put more CO into your boat every time you light the hob to put the kettle on or cook something. My gas fridge flue isn't vented outside and has been inspected several times without failing. It's never set of any of my CO alarms. Edited May 3, 2021 by blackrose 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kalapattar Posted May 3, 2021 Author Report Share Posted May 3, 2021 Yes, gases rise out, and I think the connections are loose to help prevent forced gusts of air extinguishing the pilot flame Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackrose Posted May 3, 2021 Report Share Posted May 3, 2021 (edited) 1 minute ago, Kalapattar said: Yes, gases rise out, and I think the connections are loose to help prevent forced gusts of air extinguishing the pilot flame That's what the open back of the slanted T is for. I would say leave the parts separate for ease of taking off and inspecting/cleaning. Edited May 3, 2021 by blackrose Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tonka Posted May 3, 2021 Report Share Posted May 3, 2021 Do not forget that you will have to take the flu apart occasionally to clean out the cobwebs. If you don't the fridge stops working Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kalapattar Posted May 3, 2021 Author Report Share Posted May 3, 2021 Ok! Well Ive taped with aluminium foil the connections to make them more secure 1 minute ago, Tonka said: Do not forget that you will have to take the flu apart occasionally to clean out the cobwebs. If you don't the fridge stops working Yes I clean the flue and flame jet every now and then Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tracy D'arth Posted May 3, 2021 Report Share Posted May 3, 2021 It won't matter soon, you will have no gas to run the fridge. So all those running gas water heaters and fridges will be stuffed. Back to good old engine running, the status quo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackrose Posted May 3, 2021 Report Share Posted May 3, 2021 (edited) 1 hour ago, Tracy D'arth said: It won't matter soon, you will have no gas to run the fridge. So all those running gas water heaters and fridges will be stuffed. Back to good old engine running, the status quo. Sorry I must have missed it, but what's the problem with LPG supplies? Presumably all those running gas hobs and ovens will be stuffed too? Edited May 3, 2021 by blackrose Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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