Does anyone know how to dismantle the cabinetry without destroying the wood? This ice box cannot get a seal on it. It condensates and now I've got mold on the insulation.
Ice Box Replacement on 373 Beneteau
- Thread starter Lfarquhar
- Start date
jssailem
SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
- Oct 22, 2014
- 22,297
WOW.
"This ice box cannot get a seal on it. It condensates and now I've got mold on the insulation."
Looking at the images, I can see that the seal for the top door appears to be damaged on the left side. This would allow cold air to escape, which, coupled with the moist air in Florida, could create the opportunity for mold or mildew seen on the right side of the box.
The front door opening and interior look great. No evidence of mold/mildew.
Have you seen mold inside the cabinet? That is where the insolation is. It could be condensation. I do not see any cracks in the plastic interior.
I would remove the top door seal. Clean the surfaces with an anti-mildew/mold cleanser (check Practical Sailor magazine for their recommendation). Then I would install a replacement seal for the top door and see if that fixes the problem,
"This ice box cannot get a seal on it. It condensates and now I've got mold on the insulation."
Looking at the images, I can see that the seal for the top door appears to be damaged on the left side. This would allow cold air to escape, which, coupled with the moist air in Florida, could create the opportunity for mold or mildew seen on the right side of the box.
The front door opening and interior look great. No evidence of mold/mildew.
Have you seen mold inside the cabinet? That is where the insolation is. It could be condensation. I do not see any cracks in the plastic interior.
I would remove the top door seal. Clean the surfaces with an anti-mildew/mold cleanser (check Practical Sailor magazine for their recommendation). Then I would install a replacement seal for the top door and see if that fixes the problem,
Hi John,
I've replaced the seals many times using various thicknesses and products. I've re-insulated to the door as well as the refrigerant lines. The mold and mildew are inside the cabinetry behind/below the fridge and ice box, mainly at the location of the copper lines, drains and insulation. At this point I'm looking at dismantling the ice box cabinet to replace the it and hoping someone has insight on how to do this without destroying the wood.
I've replaced the seals many times using various thicknesses and products. I've re-insulated to the door as well as the refrigerant lines. The mold and mildew are inside the cabinetry behind/below the fridge and ice box, mainly at the location of the copper lines, drains and insulation. At this point I'm looking at dismantling the ice box cabinet to replace the it and hoping someone has insight on how to do this without destroying the wood.
If you are convinced that the problem is inside the top loader ice box cabinet, I would cut large round holes on the aft surface of the cabinet (next to oven/cook top) as well as the surface under the galley sink to inspect & clean before taking the entire cabinet apart. You may discover that the problem is not inside the cabinet. You can then fit plastic port hole type inspection plates that will provide access in the future and will not affect the visual appearance of the cabinet. The cabinet is likely glued & screwed together & not likely to be disassembled without major damage To the wood.
I agree with @jssailem that the biggest problem is the seal.
Do you use the top loader continuously? If not, turning the ice box off & leaving the door in upright position, when not aboard, to promote air circulation as well as wiping seal with mold retarding cleaner might be a simple solution. If you tear apart the cabinet, I believe that you will regret the outcome & not really fix the mold problem.
I installed vents (purchased from Beneteau) on my refrigerator cabinet along with a fan behind the vent to exhaust heat from the compressor located inside the cabinet. Perhaps ventilation would reduce mold growth, if you do find mold inside the cabinet.
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