Frig insulation -

  • July 26, 2014 7:53 PM
    Message # 3055274
    Anonymous member (Administrator)

    In the infrared image below note the cold spot (dark) to the right of the 65.7 .. that is the top of the frig and to me it looks like the insulation in the area is non effective.  (Note also the hinge is also showing leaking..) 


    Photo

    Looking inside the frig the structure on the top - seems to be fiberglass with maybe some insulation inside. I'd like to remove it and inspect but I'm not seeing any fasteners.  Ideas on removal w/o just tearing it out? 

    Photo

    Thanks in advance. 


    Last modified: July 26, 2014 7:54 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)
  • October 10, 2014 3:27 PM
    Reply # 3121327 on 3055274
    Deleted user

    Jay I would love to know more about this myself.  I discovered the other day mold growing in a damp spot on the back of the icebox where a cushion rests against it.  This is where the cold plate attaches to the inner wall of the ice box.  It looks like quite a project to remove the icebox unit from the cabinetry.  I have been lead to believe that moister build up in the foam causes it to deteriorate, and over time reduce it's insulation properties.  One suggestion was to drill holes in the ice box unit, and inject expanding foam...this did not seem realistic, or appropriate.  I would love to hear other ideas.  

  • October 11, 2014 5:08 AM
    Reply # 3121520 on 3055274

    Jay,

    I just re-insulated my icebox by tearing it completely out and starting over.  I ended up not only rebuilding the icebox but rebuilding everything behind the stove as well.  I'll try to post some before/during/after pics to give you an idea of the construction involved.

    In my case the 'insulation' glued to the under surface of the fiberglass top (in the spaces on each end and between my lids) was nothing more than plain ol Styrofoam which I replaced with molded in closed cell foam.  Of course it was easy for me since I had the whole top/tub disassembled anyway.

    To answer your question as to how it is put together, the fiberglass top is fastened to the lower 'tub' with 1 1/4" countersunk SS wood screws. They pass through a 1/2" plywood surface, through the fiberglass top, then through the molded lip/flange surrounding the lower tub and finally into 1X2  rails fastened to the plywood sidewalls that supports the whole affair.  Note the plywood icebox top is in an 'L' shape that covers the icebox, extends behind the stove over the locker and all the way to the engine room bulkhead.

    To access the screws, remove the teak 'fiddles' around the icebox. Remove any Formica, tile, etc. surface on the top to get to the plywood underneath.

    Frankly, I would look for an alternate method of getting to the insulation.



  • October 11, 2014 5:34 AM
    Reply # 3121525 on 3121327
    Brett,


    Having just re-insulated my icebox for the exact reasons you note (soggy insulation resulting in high duty compressor cycling and condensation on the outside walls) I can attest the job is indeed 'quite a project'. Not really that hard, just somewhat time-consuming, disruptive and messy.

    If your insulation is original then after 35 years or so more than likely it is completely shot. In my case it looked to be simple 'expando-foam in a can', sprayed onto the icebox.  Once I removed the icebox it literally fell off in soggy, wet chunks.

    I knew re-insulating the icebox properly would be a big job. Trying to avoid the disruption I examined many, many different alternatives including 'by-passing' the whole thing and installing a 12/110v Engel drop in. Not a viable solution for me because while nice, the Engel is either a refrigerator or freezer, not both.

    After literally years of contemplation and talking to refrigeration experts I never could come up with a easy solution. Finally accepting there were no shortcuts I just finally bit the bullet, ripped it all out and started from scratch. Once the icebox tub was out I was able to re-gelcoat the tub inside & out, fabricated forms around it and poured 2 part closed cell foam to form a solid structure around the icebox tub.

    In the end it was totally worth it. I now have ice cold drinks and the compressor runs about 25% of the time saving me tons of battery life.

  • October 12, 2014 7:08 PM
    Reply # 3122100 on 3055274
    Anonymous member (Administrator)

    Brett:  Missed you at the rondy last weekend!! Maybe next year.  

    Mike:  Thanks for the info - I'm hoping to NOT tear it all out --- what a job for sure - and have installed a larger fan for the cooling coils.  I'm doing OK with the new fan as it is quieter and I've improved the air flow by using the larger fan and larger exhaust holes for the air flow.

    I'll add more images soon...

    Jay

  • October 13, 2014 10:46 AM
    Reply # 3122484 on 3055274
    Deleted user

    Thanks for the insight, Mike.  Jay, I can't see any other way to manage this issue.  Over time the insulation will continue to deteriorate.   If you come up w/another way, I would love to know!  

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