Icebox temperature

[mregan]

Just installed a new Engel refrigeration unit in the icebox.  What should the temp in the icebox be.  I'm at 48* now.  Didn't know what the average temp should be.

Also, there is frost on the evap panel.  It's a flat plate about 24"x10".  Is frost normal?

[Ken Juul]

some frost is normal.  If it gets much more than a thin crust, you may have an air leak around the lid or where the tubing goes into the box.

[mregan]

Just a thin crust so I think I'm good.  I did notice a temp difference between the upper & lower sections of the ice box. The evap is located on the lower level.  Right above are 2 plexiglass pieces with holes in them.  If I leave both plexiglass in place, the water is definitely warmer above the plexiglass than below.  Was thinking of installed a 12v computer fan in the ice box to circulate the air more.

[Ron Hill]

mre : The normal refrige temp for food is 40 degrees F.

Most of us have installed a small fan near the bottom blowing up to help stabilize the temp at the bottom and top.  We have also added insulation to the sides (except aft - stove) and have a thermal pad that goes on the top.  Many Many Mainsheet tech note articles and Tips.

I use a fan called a "Fridge Mate" that operates off of 2 D batteries.  Does a fair job. 

A few thoughts

[mregan]

I'll look into the Fridge Mate.  I have 2-3" of spray foam on all sides and bottom of the icebox.  Also a 2" thick fiberglass panel filled with sprayfoam on the bottom of the door.

[Ron Hill]

Mre : Forgot to say that frost is normal and the amount of frost all depends on the outside humidity and how many time you open the lid!!

[Roland Gendreau]

I picked up this fridge fan at a local RV place

http://www.amazon.com/Camco-44123-RV-Fridge-Airator/dp/B0006IX7TW/ref=pd_sim_sbs_misc_2

It works fine, runs on 2 D batteries; it does not have an off switch so I remove the batteries when we dont use the fridge.

The batteries are supposed to last 30 days when it runs all the time.

[stevewitt1]

Th is is the one I use.  It lasts most all summer on two batteries. I switch it off when not at the boat

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Dautomotive&field-keywords=fridge%20mate

Makes a huge difference in even temps in my ice box.
steve

[Bobg]

best item i ever put in my fridge was a light that comes on when you open the lid, motion detector light I put it on the front wall "towards the sink"

[mregan]

Ice box update.
Installed an "Fridge Mate" fan.  Didn't make a difference in ice box temp.  Evap panel is located in lower area, below the plexiglass shelf.  I have removed 1/2 of the shelf to get the cold air to circulate up above the shelf.
From shelf down, it's in the high 30's.  Above the shelf it's about 52-53*.  Bought a 12v computer style fan.  75 cfm.  It's actually too much cfm, I'm going to try something around 35 cfm.  Installed that on Friday.  Put almost near the bottom, in the cold area, had it pointing straight up.  Was on the boat today, top shelf still in low 50's and now no frost on the evap panel?  Typically have a crust of frost on the evap panel.  During the week I had taken a 2" piece of styrofoam board and laid it over the top of the icebox.  On Saturday, the top shelf temp was 47*.  I've got 2" spray foam on all sides and bottom.  2" foam panel on bottom of door.  Thinking of cutting pieces of the 2" foam board and glue them to the underside of the top of the icebox around the door to see if that helps. 
I was surprised the fan didn't help at all.  I thought it would blow the cold air up and even out the temp.  My next step if the smaller fan and insulation on the top doesn't work is to raise the evap panel half above half below the 1st shelf.

[Ron Hill]

mre : You need to let the air circulate.  Ditch the Plexiglas shelf for a grated shelf or drill holes in the Plexiglas.

The fridge mate should be in the bottom blow up.

A few thoughts

[mregan]

Ron
Fridge mate was in lower part near the botom.  Also, computer fan was in same spot blowing up. Only have half the plexiglass shelf in. Pulled out other piece.  Remaining piece has several 1" holes in it.  During the week, couple of beers and dozen water bottles in bottom of ice box.  On shelf is 4-5 water bottles and a hershey bar.

[Ron Hill]

mre : You didn't mention it or I missed it, but the freezer compt./evaporator unit must be mounted as high in the fridge compt. as possible. 

[mregan]

I know.  I'm using and Engel refrig. unit which is a 20x10 flat plate evap.  I couldn't get it to fit up high above the plexiglass shelf so I had installed it below.  Even with the shelf out completely and the fan I can't get the cold air up high.  I think I'm going to have to get the evap. plate as high as I can.  The evap. sits along the hull side of the ice box.  Once I raise it and cut the plexiglass shelving, I think I'm going to have to install a s.s. bracket (from bow to stern) in front of the evap. to get the plexiglass shelves to fit and stay in place.

[patrice]

HI,
Of course having the unit at the bottom does not help. 
One thing I have in mine, no shelf to block air flow, we have metal wire basket.  easy to take out to get what you need.  And air flow around easily.
Group items per basket.