Cruisers Forum
 


Reply
  This discussion is proudly sponsored by:
Please support our sponsors and let them know you heard about their products on Cruisers Forums. Advertise Here
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Rate Thread Display Modes
Old 07-02-2013, 07:33   #1
Registered User
 
nknowland's Avatar

Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Currently in Brunswick, GA
Boat: Bayfield 40
Posts: 169
Condensation on Refrigertor Cover

After 3 winters in the Bahamas, for the first time, I am having excessive condensation on the cover of my refrigerator. What would cause this?

Last year, I used a sheet of foil-backed bubble wrap to insulate the top of the food storage area. This year, I am using a thinsulate pad. Every morning, the teak cover of the frig is wet, and I also notice condensation on the thinsulate pad. So, I'm thinking the thinsulate must be the cause, but my husband disagrees.

Thanks for any ideas/opinions.....
nknowland is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-02-2013, 07:56   #2
Registered User
 
Teknav's Avatar

Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Texas - USA
Boat: Twin Otter de Havilland Floatplane
Posts: 1,838
Re: Condensation on refrigertor cover

Check the entire rubber seal around the door, if it has not deteriorated/crimped/broken/obstructed/punctured or leaking. Mauritz
Teknav is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-02-2013, 08:24   #3
Registered User

Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Yuma Island
Posts: 1,579
Images: 15
Re: Condensation on refrigertor cover

Check all seals, and check also the insulation of the box itself.
tamicatana is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-02-2013, 09:21   #4
Registered User
 
mikereed100's Avatar

Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Cat in New Zealand, trawler in Ventura
Boat: 46' custom cat "Rum Doxy", Roughwater 41"Abreojos"
Posts: 2,041
Images: 2
Re: Condensation on refrigertor cover

Unfortunately, I think your husband is right. The reason you are getting condensation is that the insulation under the teak is not thick enough, so the teak (not a particularly good insulator in itself) gets cold and, unless the air outside is very dry, you get condensation. The only fix I can think of is to add more insulation under the teak. A block of XPS (extruded polystyrene) foam glued under the lid should work much better than bubble wrap or Thinsulate. Make it as thick as practical. You'll lose some refer space but your teak won't mold and you will use less electricity to keep the refer cool.
__________________
Mike

www.sailblogs.com/member/rumdoxy

Come to the dark side. We have donuts.
mikereed100 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-02-2013, 12:55   #5
֍֎֍֎֍֎֍֎֍֎

Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 15,136
Re: Condensation on Refrigertor Cover

Thinsulate is basically fiberfill batting, so there is air movement THROUGH the material. That will bring moisture which will condense on something cold. Foil and bubble wrap are impervious, there's no air moving throgh them, so no moisture, no condensation. You could foil or plastic wrap the thinsulate, or buy a new sheet of bubble wrap.

That you're getting condensation might also mean the gasket on the box is leaking air. The usual test for that is to close the "door" with a fresh dollar bill across the gasket. if you can easily pull the bill out, the gasket isn't seating tight. Sometimes a little ArmorAll will soften it up and get a better seal, sometimes it needs replacing.
hellosailor is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-02-2013, 13:24   #6
Moderator Emeritus
 
David M's Avatar

Cruisers Forum Supporter

Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Eastern Tennessee
Boat: Research vessel for a university, retired now.
Posts: 10,406
Re: Condensation on Refrigertor Cover

The surface temperature of the cover is dropping below the dew point of the air. I know that is the technical reason which does not help. More insulation which reduces the transference of cold is the solution. Look for high R-Value(low heat conductance) materials.

Scroll down to list of R-values for materials....
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R-value_(insulation))
__________________
David

Life begins where land ends.
David M is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-02-2013, 15:56   #7
Sponsoring Vendor
 
The Boat Galley's Avatar

Community Sponsor

Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: West Palm Beach, FL
Posts: 84
Re: Condensation on Refrigertor Cover

I agree with the analysis from the posters above. And what the condensation means right now is that you're losing precious cold from from the refrigerator; it's seeping right through the top of the refrigerator.

Until you get somewhere that you can get supplies (and have time) for a more permanent fix, just putting a towel or blanket on top of the refrigerator counter will help considerably. Here are several other ways to fairly simply add extra insulation to the top and sides, without totally rebuilding the box:

4 Simple Ways to Add Extra Insulation to Your Refrigerator

Good luck!
__________________

The Boat Galley - making your boat life better with a weekly newsletter, free and low-cost courses, handy references and document organizers
The Boat Galley is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-02-2013, 07:16   #8
Registered User
 
nknowland's Avatar

Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Currently in Brunswick, GA
Boat: Bayfield 40
Posts: 169
Re: Condensation on Refrigertor Cover

Thank you all for the very helpful suggestions. We are going to try them all!
nknowland is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 15-02-2013, 13:27   #9
Boating writer, book author

Cruisers Forum Supporter

Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: On the Go
Boat: Various
Posts: 752
Re: Condensation on Refrigertor Cover

It's possible mildew got into the insulation inside the door and devoured it. If it comes apart, check that out. If not, could you drill a small hole and use one of those squirt-in foams to re-insulate it?
__________________
Janet Groene
JanetGroene is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
condensation

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Mermaid Condensation Drain easterly38 Plumbing Systems and Fixtures 12 13-04-2015 09:20
Condensation in Colder Climates Sir Rondo Normal Challenges 10 26-01-2012 05:36
Musty Mattress Condensation cameron forsyth General Sailing Forum 14 23-12-2011 00:35

Advertise Here


All times are GMT -7. The time now is 00:57.


Google+
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Social Knowledge Networks
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.

ShowCase vBulletin Plugins by Drive Thru Online, Inc.