covering the electrical wires to gain additional storage space?

I think someone mentioned putting a wire rack in that space to store items above the wiring / hoses. Like this: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000LNVXIY/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=3H8W5GW9NJES2&coliid=I1V57IO66E1JMI&psc=1

I put 'soft edged' things in there, towels, box of spare parts, roll of paper towel, etc. Anything that wouldn't poke the wires or the hoses.

Also avoid stuff that wouldn't tolerate heat from the Alde hoses/radiator, chocolate bars, etc.

Any heat from the converter is vented by the fan out the front of the converter.