Water in refrigerator

[John in Edmonds]

On my 1989 C30, there always seems to be about an inch of water in the bottom of my refrigerator. I can pump it out with the foot pump, but then its back the next day. The refrigerator is off. Its drain hose tees into the galley sink drain hose then out via the thru-hull. Even though I'm not using the galley sink, the water appears to seep into the refrigerator via its drain. Any suggestions for a dry refrigerator would be appreciated. thanks

 

[jsalley]

Try a rubber stopper. Keep it in place except when ice melt or condensate needs to be drained/pumped. Sounds like you're getting back flow from the drain hose in the galley sink.

 

[Old Skool Neil]

Or your thru-hull valve isn't fully sealing. Might want to pull the hose with the valve closed and see.

 

[canavap]

I had the same problem (I don't shut my thruhull as religiously as I should). I put in a check valve to prevent a backflow of water in the line and it seems to work OK. Something like this:

http://www.defender.com/product.jsp?path=-1|51|299222|121271|567586&id=121381

Just make sure you put it in the correct way!!!

 

[Anonymous 121765]

John,

If your tee-in connection is down low as you didn't give a vertical location in your thread, the tee may be below the waterline. Water will seek it's equal level, maybe this is what your experiencing.

Also, where is your refrig? is it where the orig. ice cooler was located or did you put one where the stove is located? Either way gage your vertical tee-in with the waterline. Hope this helps.........

CR

 

[Bob S]

John,

I've had the same problem and it can be a terrible source of odor! I put a cap of bleach before I leave the boat. As suggested, a backflow preventor should work. I'll be checking mine to see if the Y is above or below the waterline but I don't think it's salt water, I always close my through hulls.

 

[John in Edmonds]

Thanks for all of the suggestions. I'm also not real good at closing the thru hull, therefore I think I will order a backflow check valve..

 

[Stu Jackson]

Why bother? If you have a fridge, disconnect the source of water from the galley sink. You'll get very little condensation from the evaporator in the box, and ya gotta clean the bottom of the box every once in a while anyway. After having this issue on our boat for the first few years, that's what I did.

 

[Stephen K]

I had the same problem and it was backflow from the sink drain. I used a rubber stopper and that took care of the problem. I do need to remove the stopper in order to drain water from melting ice.

 

[Twice Around]

what kind of pump is installed for your ice box drains? I have an older boat with no pump & I'd like to add one so it doesn't fill up the bilge every 3 days when we get ice. :naughty:

 

[wonkodsane]

They are all some variation on this theme: Whale Foot Pump (LINK) by function, if not by brand.

 

[wonkodsane]

And I should note that the SBO store that hosts these forums appears to be backordered for all foot pumps, but maybe Phil can illuminate us on how far out the backorders are. If I have my druthers, I buy from this site.

 

[Twice Around]

wonko..thanks for the info, funny you should say that as I've been building a shopping list and I agree..when I can I like ordering from SBO..their prices are usually competitive with everyone else.

 

[John in Edmonds]

Shawn: Not sure of the brand name of my foot pump; but it looks like the ones shown in Scott's response/link to Whale Foot Pump (LINK) . Mine is mounted near the sole under the drawers on the aft side of the galley.

 

[mortyd]

i solved this problem by freezing tap water in plastic bottles to cool the ice box and after be drinkable; no loose ice, no loose water, no muss, no fuss.

 

[John in Edmonds]

As recommeded by canavap, I put in a Shurflo in-line check valve (#340-001). Problem solved...! For what it is worth, I got it through Amazon for a couple of bucks less than Defender. thanks canavap....

 

[Twice Around]

thanks John...definitely on the winter project list.

 

[RJ1946]

I routed our ice box drain to the shower drain pump in the bilge and they both drain great

 

[JrhettB]

Thanks for all of the suggestions. I'm also not real good at closing the thru hull, therefore I think I will order a backflow check valve..

Not sure if you took care of this already, but I had the same problem and it was a faulty check valve installed right before the connection to the T junction. It was the $10 Whale check valve that you can easily find. Mine was also periodically causing pressure issues with the foot pump. $10 and everything is working great.