No More Going Outside

[modemem]

Well I finally got around to modifying my stove vent flapper...and I can now open and close/lock it from inside. I used #8x32 threaded rod. Pictures from top to bottom:

Outside view of flapper closed.
Outside view of flapper open.
Inside view of rod in closed and locked position.
Inside view of rod in open position.
View of rod routing under the stove hood.

[BGKirkham]

I hate to be negative, but this looks like a solution looking for a problem. When you're camping, air flow and gravity take care of opening and closing. The only time you need to go outside is to lock it for travel and unlock it when you get there.

[spock123]

My outside vent is to high off the ground so the flapper stays open all the time

[mdstudey]

Originally Posted by spock123

My outside vent is to high off the ground so the flapper stays open all the time

I always fine a way to lock to from the outside when there is nothing close by to get up on. Just something like a back scratcher does the trick. If push comes to shove I get the old man to do it.

But if you are short and don't have any other options, this would work.

[Macrosill]

Why does the flapper need to be "locked" for travel?

[DaGrinch]

Originally Posted by Macrosill

Why does the flapper need to be "locked" for travel?

Older units would eventually have the flaps fly off going down the road. The newer units seem to be better engineered to keep this from happening. And, yes, I had one "get lost" years ago.

[KyDan]

We lost one of ours on a previous trailer.
I put tiny brass "jewelry box" hinges on this one so it's not coming off.

We still lock it when not in use because it will inevitably flap and tap, tap,
tap during the night if there is much of any breeze.

I have to use a fly swatter handle to reach the locking tabs.

[modemem]

Originally Posted by BGKirkham

I hate to be negative, but this looks like a solution looking for a problem. When you're camping, air flow and gravity take care of opening and closing. The only time you need to go outside is to lock it for travel and unlock it when you get there.

BGKirkham...In your case that may be true, but we usually have grandkids traveling with us and they are notorious for getting hungry late at night or really early in the morning...sometimes in a downpour. We keep the flapper closed to eliminate a path for flys, mosquitoes, and bees from geting in. Remember even when not using the vent for cooking, if it is not held closed it will open whenever the A/C or furnace is running. So for us the mod is certainly welcome.

[modemem]

Originally Posted by KyDan

We lost one of ours on a previous trailer.
I put tiny brass "jewelry box" hinges on this one so it's not coming off.

We still lock it when not in use because it will inevitably flap and tap, tap,
tap during the night if there is much of any breeze.

I have to use a fly swatter handle to reach the locking tabs.

Lost ours on a previous motorhome.

[FrankMor]

Our old MH, a 89 Winnebago Cheifton, Had a slide lever that opened the vent and turned on the fan. That was a much better design than the plastic ears to lock the flaps on newer vents.

Frank

[modemem]

Originally Posted by FrankMor

Our old MH, a 89 Winnebago Cheifton, Had a slide lever that opened the vent and turned on the fan. That was a much better design than the plastic ears to lock the flaps on newer vents.

Frank

I wish they still made them like that.

[Retired JSO]

On every camper we have owned, the vent allowed the exhaust fan to expel smoke, cooking smell. No bugs can get into the camper unless they eat the aluminum filter. I torn the doors/flapper off all of the previous vents and throw them in the trash. End of the stupid flapper.

[bpadamson]

Well, this is something I didn't know about, I reckon I will see if the flapper is still there or if the locks work. Or if I need to...