Ice Box Drain

[psteele235]

The PO, bless him, seems to have shot insulation down into the ice box drain without installing a plastic pipe into the bilge first. Therefore the ice box drain doesn't.

How would I get a plastic tube through the insulation into the bilge?

Many thanks.

[nautical62]

Another option employed on many fridges to pump the water directly out of the fridge, thus avoiding that need and keeping nasty food stuff like spilled cream and such out of the bilge.

Anything that dissolves insulation might also serve to remove it from the current pipe, as may a drain snake.

[Ziggy]

you might be able to cut through the insulation with it

[TexSail]

Professional plumber's snakes have different heads for different types of clogs and sizes of pipes. One type has a couple of sharp blades which are made for cutting through hardened grease, hair, etc. If you can find one that matches your pipe size, that would be good because it keeps the blades against the clog (insulation in your case) rather than turning sideways in the pipe.

[Roy M]

Or, keep things simple and use a sponge on a regular basis. The loss of cold down the drain might be an issue, as well as the previously mentioned food matter in an inaccessible place.

[svtadpole]

If it is an icebox (supplied with ice rather than a refrigerator) then put your ice in a bucket & then into the icebox ... the meltwater will be contained & can be easily tipped overboard ...

[Squeaks]

I used to fill a wide-mouth jug with ice cubes (free from the yacht club). It cooled the box and gave me cool drinking water for a day or two.
If you do run a drain tube from your icebox DON'T let it drain into the bilge (stinko!); run it to a seperate catchment or simply cap off the end of thehose with a threaded plug, then drain the water into a small jug periodically.

[psteele235]

All great ideas - many thanks guys. I think we will go with the wide-mouth jug and sponge ideas. A stinky bilge is the last thing SWMBO would want !

[boden36]

Our icebox drains into a deep narrow container. There is a float switch at the top, and one at the bottom. They are wired via a latching circuit so that the pump does not come on until the container is full, and pumps until it is empty.
Also, remember that the icebox drain should have a 'U' in it, so that there is a waterblock to stop the cool air from draining from the icebox.
Regards, Richard.