Ice box in my '82 H30

[malyea]

I usually take coolers aboard my '82 H30 for day sails and overnight trips but would like to use the cavernous icebox built/cut into the galley counter...

Mine seems huge and has a pull lid and 2 sliding dark plexiglass shelves positioned about 1/3 of the way down into the open icebox...seems like the original configuration.

Questions -

How is this icebox constructed?
Is it well insulated?
There is a bunch of interior volume, how functional is it, how is it best cooled and/or utilized - dry ice, frozen water jugs, ice blocks...?
Does anybody use it as intended - if so, how - if not, how do you use it?

Thanks

 

[Ed Schenck]

Unless modified I think the Cherubinis were all pretty similar. That would be not very well insulated and with a drain hose into the bilge. I found that for weekends a block of ice would do nicely. Many of us have plugged the drain hole to keep in the cold. If you use frozen jugs of water you won't have to bail out the water.

After a year or two I improved the lid by adding a gasket and 1/2" of insulation. I also glued 1/2" of the same sheets to the inside top of the fridge. Finally I added refrigeration which can be seen under H37C in Hunter Owners Modifications. Others have further improved the insulation by using the spray foam wherever they could around the outside of the box.

 

[ggrizzard]

On my '79 H30 I did as suggested above, but I "Spray Foamed" sections of styrofoam board around the outside of the box. I kept reading members remarking that putting towels (blankets, even) on top of the lid to keep the cold in, so I also mounted 2.5" of foam board cut to fit the opening (from Home Depot) on the inside of the lid and covered that with two layers of vinyl shelf liner. It works much better that the stock configuration as a 30 lb block will last a week, if you keep your drinks in a small, soft side cooler, avoiding the continuous opening and closing of the ice box.

I use a rubber stopper to plug the drain inside the box, as cold water keeps the box colder, but I may put a PVC valve in the drain line so that I can drain off excess melt water. I have always started a trip with 2 gallon jugs of frozen water for ice/drinking water, but once they melt there doesn't seem to be anyway of filling and freezing while cruising. Another tip that came in handy: freeze or chill all food before it goes in the icebox. And, extremely, put a sacrificial bag of ice cubes in the box 2 hours before placing food. This rids the box of residual heat before needing it cold.

 

[ybrad]

Timely thread for me, I was going to ask the same questions for my '80 37C.
I'm curious as to the intended method of use: looks like the aft compartment of the ice box is intended for block loading via cockpit access. Going forward there is a large shelf area and a recessed 'box' at the lowest level. It looks like there may be molded-in supports for a lid or something for the recessed box.
On forum advise I did plug the drain hole in the bottom of the box. Trial run with a 10lb block provided mid-level temp of 62F and about 1/2 the block gone after 20+ hours (daytime temps in mid-90's).
How are you supposed to keep perishable food safe on that cavernous shelf area? Whats the recommended ice load, 30-40 lbs 0f block?

Any input appreciated--

Brad

 

[Ed Schenck]

First thing I did was insulate the inside of the top of the box in the cockpit. Then I covered that entire cockpit locker portion with 1/4" plywood. I think the original intent was to be able to grab a Budweiser without going below.

Another early project was to insulate the inside top of the big box including the lid. I also added a rubber seal to the edges of the lid. Finally I added an Adler/Barbour refer which can be seen here: http://hunter.sailboatowners.com/in...&cat_id=38&aid=7309&page=article&mn=37-cutter .

 

[malyea]

Great tips and info as usual - thanks!

On my H30 there's no cockpit lid to deal with - there is a double plexiglass/wood trim sliding shelf 2/3 way up inside the icebox - I assume the intent is to place food on the shelf that you don't want in direct contact with ice/water - thoughts?

Anybody use dry ice to augment frozen jugs, blocks or cubes?

Thanks to all

 

[Ian McGain]

There is always the Coleman method at $89.00 from Wall Mart.
Large Coleman cooler that plugs into 110 volt and 12 volt. I pack my cooler at home, plug into the car for the drive down to the boat. Lift on the boat and plug into shore power. For the sail I have a battery jumper I plug it into for the off shore power time.
Cheap and works very well.

Ian

 

[Steve Dion]

Beware, be aware of dry ice.

http://www.health.state.ny.us/environmental/indoors/food_safety/dry_ice.htm

Good stuff, but you need to be sure that there is good ventilation. Anything that comes close to the dry ice will freeze 109- deg.