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 04-12-2015, 10:42   #1
Registered User
 
nknowland's Avatar

Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Currently in Brunswick, GA
Boat: Bayfield 40
Posts: 169
Condensation on top of fridge cover

For the first time, I'm getting lots of condensation on the cover of my Alder Barbour fridge/freezer. Actually, from the end covering the freezer.

I have done all the basic stuff: replaced gaskets and insulation in the lid, the lid fits tight enough to pass the paper test, and I have an insulating cover inside, over the food.

I am in FL so understand that warm temps and humidity play a roll, but I am in FL and Bahamas every winter and condensation has never been this bad. Covering the top with a towel just leaves a very wet towel.

Any ideas???
nknowland is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-12-2015, 10:44   #2
Registered User

Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: San Diego
Boat: Pearson 39-2 "Sea Story"
Posts: 1,109
Re: Condensation on top of fridge cover

Have you checked the hinge for leaks? You can't do the paper test, so I other than your hand and moving the towel around, I don't really have any better suggestions.
__________________
SV Sea Story adventures
Greenhand is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-12-2015, 10:47   #3
Registered User

Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: San Diego
Boat: Pearson 39-2 "Sea Story"
Posts: 1,109
Re: Condensation on top of fridge cover

Actually, I did think of something - is it possible that the insulation in the lid is disintegrating?
__________________
SV Sea Story adventures
Greenhand is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-12-2015, 10:59   #4
Registered User
 
nknowland's Avatar

Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Currently in Brunswick, GA
Boat: Bayfield 40
Posts: 169
Re: Condensation on top of fridge cover

Lid insulation is new. And hinges are an obvious issue so I have a separate strip of insulation inside fridge under the hinges.
nknowland is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-12-2015, 11:03   #5
Registered User

Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: San Diego
Boat: Pearson 39-2 "Sea Story"
Posts: 1,109
Re: Condensation on top of fridge cover

Quote:
Originally Posted by nknowland View Post
Lid insulation is new. And hinges are an obvious issue so I have a separate strip of insulation inside fridge under the hinges.
Well, sad to say, it is often the most recent change that causes a new problem.

Hopefully someone else will come along to offer you more productive advice.
__________________
SV Sea Story adventures
Greenhand is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-12-2015, 11:15   #6
Moderator Emeritus
 
a64pilot's Avatar

Cruisers Forum Supporter

Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Jacksonville/ out cruising
Boat: Island Packet 38
Posts: 31,351
Re: Condensation on top of fridge cover

I have the same problem, but mine is I'm sure inadequate insulation in the top of the fridge.
Only fix for mine I'm sure is adding insulation.
a64pilot is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-12-2015, 11:31   #7
Registered User
 
tomfl's Avatar

Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Florida
Boat: Seawind 1000xl
Posts: 2,592
Images: 15
Re: Condensation on top of fridge cover

Not an answer to your question but something like this will help pinpoint just where hot and cold spots are. There are a few other devices like this you can buy that attach to a cell phone and function in a similar manner. Probably can rent/borrow one as well.
tomfl is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-12-2015, 13:56   #8
Registered User

Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 94
Re: Condensation on top of fridge cover

We had a similar problem with our frig unit - after troubleshooting all possible leaks, there was still condensation at times on the top surface. Ours appears to be primarily the result of the Corian countertops (which has to be one of the stupidest materials ever used on boats; the manufacturer had to put 300 lbs of lead-shot ballast on the opposing hull to counterbalance the added weight in the galley).

Our solution (which has worked well for the last 10 years) is to use a bathroom throw rug on the surface above the refrigerator/freezer area. After purchasing and testing several different kinds, the best we've found is the type of rug with a solid rubber non-skid bottom and short pile. The rubber bottom keeps the moist air from coming in contact with the cooler Corian and, thus, prevents it from condensing; the top pile helps with meal preparations underway by offering a safe place to put plates/pans that stops them from skittering around. Added bonus is that the rug is easy to just toss in the laundry when it gets soiled.

I know, it is not an elegant engineering solution to address the root cause, but it does work.
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_6079.JPG
Views:	341
Size:	103.7 KB
ID:	114320  
Painted Skies is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-12-2015, 14:12   #9
Registered User
 
Sun and Moon's Avatar

Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Florida Atlantic coast
Boat: Bristol 29
Posts: 353
Re: Condensation on top of fridge cover

Can you feel cold air or a cold spot? The wet-towel sounds strange - is it possible something is leaking?
Sun and Moon is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-12-2015, 15:18   #10
Registered User

Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 29
Re: Condensation on top of fridge cover

Usually it's sealing issue. I had a similar problem . I've installed a small fan for circulation (took a bit if tuning ) and now no more condensation and the fridge is working at least 30% better .


Sent from my iPhone using Cruisers Sailing Forum
Quintessa41 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-12-2015, 15:19   #11
Registered User

Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 29
Re: Condensation on top of fridge cover

Usually it's sealing issue. I had a similar problem . I've installed a small fan for circulation (took a bit if tuning ) and now no more condensation and the fridge is working at least 30% better .



Sent from my iPhone using Cruisers Sailing Forum
Quintessa41 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-12-2015, 07:55   #12
Registered User

Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Seattle
Posts: 48
Send a message via ICQ to LByers
Re: Condensation on top of fridge cover

I went through this on my Passport 40 and ultimately used a thick yoga mat to cover the area. Good luck.
__________________
Captain Lare
USCG Master 100 Ton
ASA Instructor
RPBA Instructor
www.professionalyachtdelivery.com
LByers is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-12-2015, 08:11   #13
Registered User
 
sparrowhawk1's Avatar

Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Miami Beach Fl
Boat: Colombia Cc 11.8
Posts: 1,758
Re: Condensation on top of fridge cover

In Miami it's been raining for practically a week straight. My Engle while not super insulated only and always has condensation when the humidity is super high. If you do choose to put an insulator on the lid make sure it can absorb moisture and change frequently or mold will grow between it and the lid.
sparrowhawk1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-12-2015, 10:01   #14
Marine Service Provider

Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Ft. Lauderdale
Posts: 1,885
Re: Condensation on top of fridge cover

When the temperature Delta T exceeds 7 degrees anywhere between box’s exterior temperature and boats interior temperature condensation will form. Lack of insulation on refrigerator counter top is easy to improve by placing a moisture proof insulating material on counter top above refrigerator area. The best way to reduce heat loss in freezer section is by filling quart size Zip-lock bags half full of foam packing peanuts and using them to fill air space above freezer food and lid. A leaking lid seal is more likely to cause frost inside top of box first.
Richard Kollmann is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-12-2015, 10:28   #15
Registered User
 
jheldatksuedu's Avatar

Join Date: May 2007
Location: On my boat, Manhattan, Kansas or LaBelle, Florida
Boat: 45 custom steel ketch-Steelin Time
Posts: 396
Images: 6
Re: Condensation on top of fridge cover

The ziplock bag foam peanut idea, should work, basically the condensation is only due to the temperature of the outside surface being below the temperature that the humidity in the air will condense, nothing else. The only thing that can cause that might be an air leak that lets cold air cool the surface or not enough insulation for the temperature difference between outside and inside temp. Have you turned down the temp inside the freezer, or is something else causing it to be colder? You might check the temp inside the freezer to see if it is colder. We have had a lot of rain this year in Florida, so the humidity might be higher than normal. If you add insulation on top such as the throw rug, it would be best to have a vapor barrier on the top surface of the rug, the towel you talk about adds insulation, but the humidity can still travel through the towel to get to the cold surface and soon you have the wet rug, which also no longer has any good insulation. You could add a plastic sheet above the dry towel and that should not let the moisture get to the cold surface under the towel.
__________________
A bad day sailing is 100 times better than a good day at work. www.jheld.mysite.com
jheldatksuedu 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
condensation, condensation, aghhhhh!!!!! sthurley Monohull Sailboats 11 02-01-2015 09:48
Condensation on Refrigertor Cover nknowland Cooking and Provisioning: Food & Drink 8 15-02-2013 13:27
Battery Terminal Cover or Cover Entire Battery Top ? sdowney717 Electrical: Batteries, Generators & Solar 5 14-07-2011 04:14

Advertise Here


All times are GMT -7. The time now is 04:42.


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.