burning smell from fridge vent

Submitted: Saturday, Jun 03, 2006 at 14:31
ThreadID: 34562 Views:4829 Replies:5 FollowUps:2
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I have just turned our 3 way fridge on with gas for the first time in our new caravan.

There is a burning plastic smell comming from the upper outside vent. Is this normal.
Should there be any smell comming from this vent

Thanks,

Travellingblooms
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Reply By: Member - Stillthinkinaboutit - Saturday, Jun 03, 2006 at 15:13

Saturday, Jun 03, 2006 at 15:13
Yes, It is fairly normal for this sort of smell from a new 3 way fridge, it may take a few days before the smell is no longer noticable.

Regards,
Mark
AnswerID: 176522

Follow Up By: travellingblooms - Saturday, Jun 03, 2006 at 15:35

Saturday, Jun 03, 2006 at 15:35
Thanks Mark,

How strong should it be. We can smell it slightly in the van but outside near the vent it is quite strong. There is no obvious smoke.

Thanks

TB
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Follow Up By: Member - Stillthinkinaboutit - Saturday, Jun 03, 2006 at 15:48

Saturday, Jun 03, 2006 at 15:48
Ours was very strong, just about make you feel sick if you stood around it too long.

Regards,
Mark
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Reply By: Bob Y. - Qld - Saturday, Jun 03, 2006 at 16:14

Saturday, Jun 03, 2006 at 16:14
TB,

We had a burning smell in a van we were living in, some years ago. About the time we became conscious of the plasticy smell, the power went off. Had an RCD switch fitted to our genset then.

On investigation, found that one of the gas fittings, near the burner, had become loose on the many rough roads we were using at the time. The flame had ignited the gas leaking at this fitting, which was immediately below the 240 volt junction box. Fried the j'box enough, that we didn't use 240v on the fridge, for some time. Reckon it was bad enough to have burnt the van within the next hour or less. We were much relieved to have it happen then(would have preferred no drama!), as we were just about to leave the van for over an hour, to mark out a new job.

Don't want to be alarmist, as this shouldn't happen in a new fridge. Your smell maybe just the new "works" being conditioned?

Much has been mentioned on here about retro-fitting 12v fans to these fridges, to improve cooling. They need all the help they can get, in extreme temps.

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AnswerID: 176525

Reply By: Old Scalyback & denny - Saturday, Jun 03, 2006 at 18:25

Saturday, Jun 03, 2006 at 18:25
goodday tb,s
if you are worried about this the external vent is easy to remove and be able to look and check in 1 of our vans we had a similar smell 1 it was new but in our travels the insulation had moved and got against the "chimney "for the gas
is your van fridge rated Climate T i hope so as it helps when up north
steve
AnswerID: 176537

Reply By: Skid - Sunday, Jun 04, 2006 at 00:01

Sunday, Jun 04, 2006 at 00:01
Yes we had the same smell which lasted for a few days on gas. But at first service i was told that Jayco had left some packing in place around the fridge during instalation. So I'd get fridge checked under warranty if I was you.
AnswerID: 176585

Reply By: markcas - Sunday, Jun 04, 2006 at 08:28

Sunday, Jun 04, 2006 at 08:28
Ours smelt for a few days on gas the same as when you get a new exhaust fitted.Ten it went away or we got use to it.Its easy to remove the vents out side and have a quick look to peace sake.

Mark
AnswerID: 176598

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