Wet Fridge

affinite

affinite

Well-Known Member
Joined
2 Feb 2005
Messages
1,239
Location
Eastern Med
Visit site
Hi I have a built-in top-loading refrigerated coolbox with one of those small freezer box evaporators and an air-cooled compressor.
The fridge is always soaking wet and I think its because the evaporator is constantly freezing and thawing.
Its an old setup and Im considering replacing it but before I do, does anyone have any suggestions for the cause ?
Ive tried to improve insulation but space is limited so not as effective as Id like.
Apparently regassing isnt an option as its an old type of refrigerant
I also intend to try to improve the seal of the lid but Id appreciate any other suggestions
 
Assuming it is not leaking then do not rule out changing the gas.

R134a has the same characteristic as R12, and although it doesn't work so well with mineral oil, some systems will still work perfectly well with R134a.
 
If there is a drain hole and it is blocked you will get the wetness that you are experiencing. I have experienced this and cleared the drain hole and moisture has went away, back to a dry fridge again.
 
Like what Boots said. I had a perpetual small lake: the Admiral got cross, so I fitted a small drain in one corner. Used sealant to fix a short length of pipe in place and led the pipe to a paint pail which fits neatly into the space by the compressor. Pail get emptied about once a month, never enough in it to spill over when sailing.
 
B-O-B
Do you mean a small hole like on a domestic fridge ?
Mine has a large drain hole (15mm) with a plug in it which I keep firmly plugged so as to not loose the cold air
 
affinite said:
B-O-B
Do you mean a small hole like on a domestic fridge ?
Mine has a large drain hole (15mm) with a plug in it which I keep firmly plugged so as to not loose the cold air
Click to expand...
If you drill the plug to take a bit of pipe and lead it to a receptacle below the fridge you’ll loose little or no cold air and drain the swamp...
 
affinite said:
B-O-B
Do you mean a small hole like on a domestic fridge ?
Mine has a large drain hole (15mm) with a plug in it which I keep firmly plugged so as to not loose the cold air
Click to expand...

Yes, it is a common source of water in fridges when blocked. Other reasons could also cause it. It is a simple to check to make.
 
pvb said:
Isn't that papering over the cracks? The fridge is getting moisture from the outside air, it needs the seal on the lid fixing first.
Click to expand...
But fridges should be drained so best to have a small dip in the pipe so cold air can’t go past the water trap but any water drains.
 
pvb said:
Isn't that papering over the cracks? The fridge is getting moisture from the outside air, it needs the seal on the lid fixing first.
Click to expand...
And every time you open it more moisture laden air from outside gets into the fridge, condenses out and forms a lake..... Look at the back of any modern domestic fridge: there’s a drip channel leading to a drain pipe which empties into a collar round the compressor. The heat from the compressor evaporates the condensate. It’s a simple cheap method of dealing with the problem, as is the fitting of a drain to a boat fridge.
 
affinite said:
Hi I have a built-in top-loading refrigerated coolbox with one of those small freezer box evaporators and an air-cooled compressor.
The fridge is always soaking wet and I think its because the evaporator is constantly freezing and thawing.
Its an old setup and Im considering replacing it but before I do, does anyone have any suggestions for the cause ?
Ive tried to improve insulation but space is limited so not as effective as Id like.
Apparently regassing isnt an option as its an old type of refrigerant
I also intend to try to improve the seal of the lid but Id appreciate any other suggestions
Click to expand...
The wetness shows that its working, after a fashion. Air contains moisture. The warmer it is, the more moisture it holds. Cool it down and it cant hold the moisture any longer so it dumps it as condensation.

Obviously it works better if the box is well sealed but then that applies whether its new or old. It also works better if the hot part, the bit that radiates the heat the fridge has removed, is clean and has plenty of ventilation.

Stuff a thermometer into the cool box and see what temperature it is. Ideally about 5C.
 
Thanks all
Ive incorporated all suggestions into a ToDo list:

1) Its occured to me that many domestic fridges have a "drip tray" under the evaporator so I'm going to fit one under my boat evaporator/ice box. Ill incorporate a drain so I dont have to empty the tray.
2) I'll fit a new (small) drain hole in the bottom of the fridge with a water/cold air trap
3) I'll try to improve the lid seal
4) Check the thermostat is operating properly
 
affinite said:
Thanks all
Ive incorporated all suggestions into a ToDo list:

1) Its occured to me that many domestic fridges have a "drip tray" under the evaporator so I'm going to fit one under my boat evaporator/ice box. Ill incorporate a drain so I dont have to empty the tray.
2) I'll fit a new (small) drain hole in the bottom of the fridge with a water/cold air trap
3) I'll try to improve the lid seal
4) Check the thermostat is operating properly
Click to expand...
Our fridge/cool box is homemade from a plastic crate with an Isotherm unit. The lid is well insulated but there is no actual seal.

We fitted a drip tray and put a piece of thin sponge in it that can be removed when wet. There is also one of those plastic sink liners on the bottom of the box just in case the water escapes from the tray.

From experience, the fuller the box is, the less condensation occurs.
 
Insulation, insulation and Insulation. By the way did I mention insulation?

That aside as said above check the lipseal. Additionally how is the fridge draining? Cold air will run out of the drain if it's not closed. Don't underestimate how much cold can be lost this way.

Also, what make/model is the compressor and how old is the unit? I would be very surprised if you can't regas it. You can do this yourself it not too difficult or find a mobile Air Conditioning guy (look up ''Auto/Car AC regas'') and get him in to do it. The compressors are basically the same. You need to check the integrity of the pipes and plates anyway. Putting in a new compressor and still having a leaky system also will not solve the problem.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top