Ice Box Conversion to Spill Over Fridge/Freezer

[fallingeggs]

It's alive! Random picture of the Stainless Lobster:



Trying to make ice and chill two gallons of water. Before I dropped in the ice, the freezer cooled from 80 to 20 in about an hour. Reset the Stainless Lobster, so I can see how it works over night.

Still not done with the lid, so this experiment will be done tomorrow.

[fallingeggs]

I am calling the install completed for the time being. The lids work and fit snugly, but they are ugly. Hopefully they will last for a month, when I can redo them and the divider. I am also going to look into some sort of paint for the interior to hide the epoxy seams.

Now to testing and fine tuning.

[fallingeggs]

[newhaul]

Originally Posted by fallingeggs

Attachment 158217

Stephfen thebuild looks good . What do you plan on doing with the old holding plate you removed ? Not the whole system just the holding plate? Rob Newby SV Stephfen Ulysses

[fallingeggs]

Originally Posted by newhaul

Stephfen thebuild looks good . What do you plan on doing with the old holding plate you removed ? Not the whole system just the holding plate? Rob Newby SV Stephfen Ulysses

Not really sure and running out of time to find out! It sure isn't coming on the boat when we splash later this week.

[john61ct]

I'd also be interested in that, surplus seconhand holding plates.

This lining the inside issue seems overly complicated, going to the trouble of building a custom fiberglass box, cutting it then epoxying in place, **then** coating that? C'mon. . .

With a tight, solid box of rigid foam in place, then vapor barrier tape,

setting aside the food safety / VOC offgassing issues for now

I would think some sort of paint-on coating should be enough. Yes it must be watertight, several coats needed to make it strong at least impact resistant, and it should cure to a smooth finish.

Epoxy of some sort?

Apparently Awlgrip is better than gelcoat?

If an actual sheet product is required, then I'd want to apply it in place, easier than the external fiberglass box work.

Why isn't fiberglass just done that way?

Or glue in sheets of good quality FRP. Marlite seems to have a good rep, and I have to say I love the idea of their tiled look product.

For that matter, what about traditional tiling? Yes it's heavy.

Obviously I have no idea, just surprised there isn't an easier way with all these high tech coatings available, people are building DIY campers out of nothing but foam+canvas+paint these days.

[SailRedemption]

Originally Posted by fallingeggs

Attachment 158217

Hey, any updates on your rebuild??

[fallingeggs]

Hey. Just arrived in Miami a few days ago. Will get started on the lids here in a few days.

[Typhoon]

Originally Posted by john61ct

I'd also be interested in that, surplus seconhand holding plates.

This lining the inside issue seems overly complicated, going to the trouble of building a custom fiberglass box, cutting it then epoxying in place, **then** coating that? C'mon. . .

With a tight, solid box of rigid foam in place, then vapor barrier tape,

setting aside the food safety / VOC offgassing issues for now

I would think some sort of paint-on coating should be enough. Yes it must be watertight, several coats needed to make it strong at least impact resistant, and it should cure to a smooth finish.

Epoxy of some sort?

Apparently Awlgrip is better than gelcoat?

If an actual sheet product is required, then I'd want to apply it in place, easier than the external fiberglass box work.

Why isn't fiberglass just done that way?

Or glue in sheets of good quality FRP. Marlite seems to have a good rep, and I have to say I love the idea of their tiled look product.

For that matter, what about traditional tiling? Yes it's heavy.

Obviously I have no idea, just surprised there isn't an easier way with all these high tech coatings available, people are building DIY campers out of nothing but foam+canvas+paint these days.

As with anything else it depends on your own personal expectations and of course the boat you own . No sense in putting a Cadillac grill on an old Lada . If you have a fine vessel you want want your galley to be of the same quality, the effort is worth it . . Im sure we could all get along with Styrofoam cooler but the admiral would not agree. It also comes to resale value , a well built refrigeration system including the box liners will make a difference in the end .

Short of removing the counter top , this has been the only way I have found to build a rigid, water tight, smooth finished esthetically pleasing liner . I have built many over the years and tried everything known to man this system works and lasts, but it is a lot of work .

Regards John.

[john61ct]

Yes great point, I'm always focused on functionality over aesthetics, and cheap, and easy.

And end up putting in hundreds of hours to get there instead of just paying a professional

8-)

[fallingeggs]

Been giving my lids some thought over the last few days and I think I settled on completing the project by fiberglassing. I can do most, if not all, the fiberglassing off the boat, which will be nice.

When I stopped last month, the lids and divider were unprotected insulation. The fit was snug, but there were some uneven gaps around the edges of the lids. I think with the right amount of fiberglass, thickened epoxy, belt sander and time, I should be able to close the gaps.

Will update when things get rolling, hopefully later today.

[Captain Randy]

Hi all
I have read through this thread as I am in need to rebuild by top loading ice box. IT looks like I need a layer of XPS and Polyiso then a barrier finish such as an FRP etc. Where do I sourse these XPS and Polyiso?

Thanks for the help
CR

[SV THIRD DAY]

Hey Capt Randy....
You should be able to get the PolyIso at Home Depot.

[newhaul]

Rich in finally getting my Cryogel ( 10mm) tomorrow . Now the work starts.

[SV THIRD DAY]

Bingo....
We want to see Photos!