This has come up a few times before so I thought I'd share how I managed to vent my 3 way fridge gas flue through my B pillar. First off....the PO of my van had already fitted a 2 way fridge into the van and modified the Continental sink unit accordingly. They had raised the upper shelf up and made the cupboard door (which covers the cutlery drawer etc) smaller. They had also added some vents to the side of the unit. This was all done pretty well but the fridge wasn't fitted when I got the van (it came with the spare parts) and it was evident they had only had it wired to 12v. The fridge was pretty manky so that got put into storage and I sought a replacement. I managed to bag a good one on ebay (looked barely used) from a caravan breaker. I wanted to get a Electrolux RM123 rather than the later Dometic as the flue outlet changed sides from the left (nearest the side of the van as it is fitted to mine) to the right. I wired it in one mains through my consumer unit and 12v through a relay and that was that. A year or so later I decided I would finish the job off! I'd already fitted a 3 way gas valve in the Westfalia gas cupboard (one valve to the cooker, one to the propex and a spare) so it was a 'simple' (!!) matter running 8mm copper piping out of the cupboard, behind the walk through (the wooden sub floor is thick and I had left a gap so I could run the pipe out of harms way. I had already wired in the 'ignition' previously to the leisure battery. I fitted a drop vent and made a suitable 'shield' underneath to keep draughts out. All that was left was the flue. First I bought some materials... Some 30mm OD 2mm thick steel tubing. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/110570176024?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649 Some flexible stainless exhaust (same stuff I have on the propex). This is 30mm ID. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/270721504858?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649 I already have plenty of 2mm steel and I utilised some old metal poles I had kicking around. I also bought some exhaust 'lagging' designed for webasto heaters etc... http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/171061362711?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649 A while back I had already sought out and bought a westfalia style flue cover for the B-pillar from someone on Ebay. This company in Germany list it (and I just spotted what looks like the part I had to make - the inner part but I'm not sure about that) http://www.vwbusshop.de/epages/GuenzlClassicParts.sf/en_GB/? Part number for the cover is 231070642 Anyhow, firstly I connected the 'lazy T' onto the top of the fridge (and riveted in in place). This has an open vent that 'draws' air and ensures the flue vents up and out of the van. You can see it in this diagram; Now, on the continental the water tank is behind the fridge. I had already covered the tank in 'radiator foil' to prevent the heat from the fridge warming the water. Alas, try as I might it was too much of a tight fit to avoid further modification. I had to cut a couple of cm off the 'T' to stop the exhaust hitting the tank. Obviously, this is a problem specific to my layout. Next I fitted the flexi exhaust and pushed the fridge into position to check clearances. Once I was happy that the pipe work cleared anything important (water tank, wiring, back of the passenger seat etc) I connected up the gas, tested for leaks using plumbers leak detection spray. I stuck the exhaust out of the door and fired up the fridge. All worked fine! Next I took the flue vent cover and copied its mounting dimensions in 2mm steel; This means I could work out where to drill the hole in the B Pillar and also gave me the start of my inner part. For this I used the 2mm plate, the 30mm pipe and a smaller pipe I had in the garage (part of an old bed I think!) I marked up where to fit the outer cover and drilled the 3 mounting holes. Next I fitted my inner piece and used this to work out where to drill the BIG hole! The trusty cone cutter made a quick job of this! I wanted to maintain an upward angle for the flue to ensure a good 'draw'. I measured the inner B pillar and used the plate again to drill the mounting holes and vent hole. The inner pillar isn't flat and I also needed to avoid the seat belts and Westfalia cab bunk mounts to make sure I could still use everything! I ran the small pipe through the two holes, fitted the outer cover, slid the inner plate over the pipe and tack welded the two part in a couple of places to give me the angle I wanted. Then I dismantled it and transferred it to my bench. I Mig welded the small pipe fully (needs to be gas tight!). Then I continued the angle of the pipe but using the large pipe on the other side of the plate. This is because the 30mm pipe coming from the fridge is too big. I also wanted to keep the diameter of the flue at its largest for as long as possible. After welding it up it looked something like this; Well, this was version 1. I decided it was a bit rubbish so I made another one! I checked it was gas tight and fitted it through the B-pillar. I painted all the cut metal and once in place I used silicone sealer to seal the outer pipe and the hole. The cover fitted over the top to complete the job. (I'll need to get some Stainless screws) I measured and cut the exhaust piping making sure it maintained its angle and cleared stuff still. It gets pretty hot behind the fridge and is still pretty warm as it exits. With the safety of little peoples hands in mind (and the fear of a melted vinyl seat!) I slid on the insulation and double it up nearer the bottom where it was hotter. I figured this would also help prevent the gases from condensing on the pipe..perhaps! ) (discolouring from the seat belt rubbing) I fitted a carbon Monoxide monitor and all works perfectly. Fridge lights on its second click from cold, providing the van is level I can make Ice cubes in it. My mate (plumber) is going to wave his wondrous Carbon monoxide meter at it (when I can pin him down!) but the detector I fitted hasn't gone off. I ran this for 2 weeks whilst up in Skye a few weeks back without a problem. I turn it off at night time as 1)It stays cold overnight once the door is left shut 2)It saved gas 3)I don't fancy leaving a naked flame burning overnight! Lastly....(honest!) here is 'a diagram' if it helps! ;-)
Cheers. I can't guarantee the accuracy of the path of the exhaust gases as depicted in the 'diagram' ;-) Oh, you'll notice I slapped loads of paint on the bit I made....there's a reason they are normally aluminium; the fridge creates a LOAD of moisture (drips out the pipe). Over the winter I'm going the dismantle it and POR15 it Alas, I don't have a TIG welder....but come to think of it, I know a man that does
Glad it's of some use. It took a while to work it all out so ensure it was safe and unobtrusive. The German website have the cover and it looks like a rubber seal and an inner fitting. It might be worth making some enquiries about this?
I would of thought the pipe needs to be more vertical as the hot gasses need to rise s You could end up with the gases just sitting in the horizontal bit and so blocking it. I am sure someone with some more knowledge will be along if not message baggy just to check
Ah; I am familiar with the term 'chuffed' I'm originally from Leicestershire and wondered how regional the saying was!
It all appears to be working well as it is. I'm going to pin down my mate to do some tests to confirm
Nice write up. I did it the same way on my westy but used a piece of multigym i had lying around. It had a nice 90 degree bend in it, was the right diameter to fit the flue and was shiny. I used the inner part of an electrolux fridge vent cut down on the B pillar and made my own cover for it.
