Tips for rebuilding a fridge from the top

[Terra Nova]

Originally Posted by bcboomer

...How much UV could there be inside a boat and how would it get through the fibreglass, wood etc. and how much heat energy could it contain??

Enough to make it worth selecting the proper barrier material (about $5 worth for a normal size box).)

[john61ct]

Yes I also am very confused about discussion of the need to protect - what?

against UV rays

inside a fridge box which is

under a counter

inside the cabin

?

[bcboomer]

Actually polyethylene blocks both UVA and UVB. That's why laminated windshields don't let either one through. At any rate, anything blocking visible light will block UVA, UVB and UVC. No need to worry about sunburned food.

[john61ct]

Maybe people think the little fridge light will damage the insulation through the inner lining?

[rotorman]

Originally Posted by ColdEh Marine

Yes as stated before Aerogel is Hydrophobic , or "it will not absorb moisture" . But moisture can still collect within the insulated cavity . This can accumulate over time and rot out the wood surrounding your box.

You don't have to encapsulate each layer , just line the entire box with 6mm vapor barrier , then lay in your insulation. Then another layer of vapor barrier then the box liner . Your done .

How do you seal the vapor barrier at the top and where the line exists to the compressor?

[rotorman]

Originally Posted by ColdEh Marine

You would need at least 20mm of epoxy to form an effective vapor barrier. If you use a fiberglass mat with the epoxy I would go to 40mm thickness just to make sure , or you could just lay in a piece of 6mm poly vapor barrier just to be sure.

I have used a single layer of woven fiber glass cloth plus a few layers of thick epoxy. Maybe 4 mm. I thought this would act as a vapor barrier. Your suggestion of 20 mm (~3/4 inch) is way too thick. Thicker then the hull of a small boat.

[Terra Nova]

I said UV--meant infrared.

[john61ct]

Mylar, or any shiny, is 100% unnecessary inside the box, nothing to do with the prevention of convection infiltration and waterproofing functionality of a plain poly vapour barrier.

I suppose helpful if wrapped around the very and facing outside if there were radiant heat sources there.

But useless inside