Thanks for the input on increased cooling. A lower range thermostat seems like a good idea. Do I get one from Adler-Barbour or some other source? Increasing the insulation also seems worthwhile. I recently read an article in a sailing mag about pumping in liquid foam insulation through drilled holes around the ice box when accessing the back side is not possible (like most Hunters). Does anyone know how much insulation is installed by the factory and has anyone tried pumping in extra insulation through drilled holes? The holes were sealed with teak plugs when the job was done.
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Insulation
I have successfully added expanding rigid foam insulation by spraying it through a platic hose into drilled holes. The stuff REALLY expands, so make sure you have open room behind the ice box where any excess can exit. (You can cut off any visible excess with a sharp Blade). I filled the holes with white Marine-Tex afterwards.
I have successfully added expanding rigid foam insulation by spraying it through a platic hose into drilled holes. The stuff REALLY expands, so make sure you have open room behind the ice box where any excess can exit. (You can cut off any visible excess with a sharp Blade). I filled the holes with white Marine-Tex afterwards.
Thickness Varies
Our H-35 is an '88 model and the ice box was accessible by removing the back of the setee. Once removed the now yellowed insulation of the box was visible. To measure the thickness of the existing insulation I took an ice pick and poked it in to point of refusal and the results was a shock. In many places there was only an inch, more or less, of thickness. However, up near the counter top there was so little, I swear, one could see the fiberglass of the box through it. The minimum thickness was a little as 1/4 inch! The best improvement for a box like this is to add more insulation, any way you can. As the previous post mentioned, the foam really does expand!! You squirt a little bit and it just keeps going. The stuff is extreemly sticky so don't get it on your skin. I haven't put any between the cabinet and the box because of concerns about expansion and the possibility of "blowing the cabinet apart"; however, after reading what George wrote maybe I'll give it a try, but slowly, of course.
Our H-35 is an '88 model and the ice box was accessible by removing the back of the setee. Once removed the now yellowed insulation of the box was visible. To measure the thickness of the existing insulation I took an ice pick and poked it in to point of refusal and the results was a shock. In many places there was only an inch, more or less, of thickness. However, up near the counter top there was so little, I swear, one could see the fiberglass of the box through it. The minimum thickness was a little as 1/4 inch! The best improvement for a box like this is to add more insulation, any way you can. As the previous post mentioned, the foam really does expand!! You squirt a little bit and it just keeps going. The stuff is extreemly sticky so don't get it on your skin. I haven't put any between the cabinet and the box because of concerns about expansion and the possibility of "blowing the cabinet apart"; however, after reading what George wrote maybe I'll give it a try, but slowly, of course.
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