Aerogel - Spaceloft Insulation for Fridge / Freezer

[senormechanico]

I used big shears...OUTSIDE and UPWIND.
Do as much of your project outside as you can.

We started in our garage and afterward had to dust every single square inch of everything in there.

Steve

[robert sailor]

Thanks for that Steve, I'll take your advice. Ordinary spray adhesive work OK? Any other little tricks? I'm starting tomorrow. Cheers, Robert

[Celestialsailor]

Originally Posted by senormechanico

I used big shears...OUTSIDE and UPWIND.
Do as much of your project outside as you can.

We started in our garage and afterward had to dust every single square inch of everything in there.

Steve

My experience exactly. I'm sure we'll find out the health hazards 10 years from now.

[senormechanico]

I used 3m 77 spray adhesive all over between the layers and 3" wide aluminum tape on the seams.

Steve

[s/v Jedi]

Anything other than the insulation material provides paths for conducting heat. The better the other material conducts heat, the more heat will move around.

[senormechanico]

True, but I figured the spray glue was perpendicular to the direction of heat transfer.
I also folded back or cut off any aluminum foil at seams to prevent heat path leakage.

At any rate, I'm totally "off grid" as far as the boat's systems are concerned.
Hot water is made by flipping on the inverter.
Who needs an engine except to get somewhere when there's NO wind?

Steve

[Celestialsailor]

I have learned with Insulation and how to's on the forum, you can end up splitting atoms pretty quick. You do the best you can with the materials on hand with the money you have and live with it. I have a total of $500 into the box I molded and the insulation. I bought a new old stock AB cold machine for $500 (condenser and evaporator). So $1000 for cold drinks and preserve food a few weeks. Works for me.
If one has the means of a bottomless wallet, by all means split atoms and make your unit 5% more efficient over your neighbors. Me...I'll invest the extra money in other equipment I need.

[morays]

Originally Posted by senormechanico

Photos of the box liner.
We designed it to use maximum hull space which still isn't much.
Notice the high tech spacers under the pop cans while I measure for shelf brackets!

Next comes insulation.

Senormechanico,

I have a project on my neverending project list which is to improve the reefer efficiency. It should have a knock on effect of stopping the mildew that forms on the seat back cushions that rest on the bulkhead that has the reefer on the other side of it. I suspect that I will line the existing 11cuft reefer so that the project will not involve removing the countertop. This will still allow me to have a large reefer with minimal disruption.
Can you please tell me what it is thats on the outside of your reefer box that holds the frp together, some sort of tape?
Can you also tell me what you used to seal the internal edges? 5200 or bathroom caulk? I have a sloping side on the inside of my reefer and wondered how flexible the FRP is. Could I bent it to that same shape if I wanted to maintain as much of the original size as possible?

Moray
s/v Sol Purpose

[robert sailor]

Got mine all built and I'm extremely pleased with the end result. Its a 6 cu ft. reefer(no freezer) and it sits at the thermostat setting that is just a 1/16" from off. It holds a box temp that is about 35 degrees and runs a minute every 10-12 minutes depending on outside temps. First time in all the years cruising where my solar panels look after everything, never need to start the engine. Aerogel is a very cool product

[Cotemar]

Originally Posted by robert sailor

Got mine all built and I'm extremely pleased with the end result. Its a 6 cu ft. reefer(no freezer) and it sits at the thermostat setting that is just a 1/16" from off. It holds a box temp that is about 35 degrees and runs a minute every 10-12 minutes depending on outside temps. First time in all the years cruising where my solar panels look after everything, never need to start the engine. Aerogel is a very cool product

Any pictures?

[robert sailor]

I'm currently cruising in the Med and I can take a couple of the finish product if thats what you want?? R

[Mischief2]

Hi, we're just in the final stages of our fridge/freezer rebuild using Cryogel Z. We purchased an entire roll of the Cryogel Z but have only used half the roll so plan to sell the remaining 20 metre x 14.5 metre. Does anyone have any suggestions on where best to advertise this type of thing? Thanks in advance for your advice.

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, Mischief.

[YachtManuals]

Originally Posted by Mischief2

Hi, we're just in the final stages of our fridge/freezer rebuild using Cryogel Z. We purchased an entire roll of the Cryogel Z but have only used half the roll so plan to sell the remaining 20 metre x 14.5 metre. Does anyone have any suggestions on where best to advertise this type of thing? Thanks in advance for your advice.

I had a smaller amount left over and sold it easily on Ebay (in USA).

[senormechanico]

Originally Posted by morays

Senormechanico,

I have a project on my neverending project list which is to improve the reefer efficiency. It should have a knock on effect of stopping the mildew that forms on the seat back cushions that rest on the bulkhead that has the reefer on the other side of it. I suspect that I will line the existing 11cuft reefer so that the project will not involve removing the countertop. This will still allow me to have a large reefer with minimal disruption.
Can you please tell me what it is thats on the outside of your reefer box that holds the frp together, some sort of tape?
Can you also tell me what you used to seal the internal edges? 5200 or bathroom caulk? I have a sloping side on the inside of my reefer and wondered how flexible the FRP is. Could I bent it to that same shape if I wanted to maintain as much of the original size as possible?

Moray
s/v Sol Purpose

I just now saw your post that you wrote when I was on a 5 week vacation on the boat.

I used fiberglass sticky tape on the edges, then going around the box overlapping the seams. After completely wrapping the box that way, I sealed the seams on the inside using 3M 4200.
Everything is working fine.