Author Topic: Top loading fridge seal.  (Read 3663 times)

Boatname

  • Guest
Top loading fridge seal.
« on: August 26 2019, 07:30 »
Can anyone suggest the correct material/ thickness to renew the seal.

There’s a back story to this that I won’t bother you with  :kewl

nightowle

  • Able Seaman
  • ****
  • Posts: 133
  • Karma: +1/-0
  • S/V In Deep - 1999 Bavaria 35E
  • Boat Model: 35 Exclusive
  • Boat Year: 1999
Re: Top loading fridge seal.
« Reply #1 on: August 26 2019, 08:14 »
I don't have the answer you're looking for, but your back story could be interesting!  :)
S/V In Deep - 1999 Bavaria 35E
Seattle, WA USA

Yngmar

  • Administrator
  • *****
  • Posts: 1516
  • Karma: +18/-2
  • Boat Model: 40 Ocean
  • Boat Year: 2001
Re: Top loading fridge seal.
« Reply #2 on: August 26 2019, 12:07 »
This seal? Dimensions are in the photo. Will replace again this year with a D-profile compressible rubber seal, as the one from then is getting a bit old again.
Sailing Songbird  ⛵️ Bavaria 40 Ocean (2001)

Boatname

  • Guest
Re: Top loading fridge seal.
« Reply #3 on: August 26 2019, 18:43 »
As usual, thanks. Unfortunately the EBay link doesn’t work.

What replacement will you go with this year?

Yngmar

  • Administrator
  • *****
  • Posts: 1516
  • Karma: +18/-2
  • Boat Model: 40 Ocean
  • Boat Year: 2001
Re: Top loading fridge seal.
« Reply #4 on: August 26 2019, 19:46 »
This sort of thing:



Haven't done it yet, so no idea how well it works, but hopefully well!

Now tell us your story :)
Sailing Songbird  ⛵️ Bavaria 40 Ocean (2001)

Boatname

  • Guest
Re: Top loading fridge seal.
« Reply #5 on: August 26 2019, 20:01 »
Please let me know how you get on.

I REALLY can't tell you the backstory as it involves someone VERY close to me (now!) who thought she'd ... no, they'd, be helpful having found some 10 year old patio door seals in a remote corner of our loft, ripping out the old seal, not really cleaning the base as well as someone might ... so it not sticking, so finding some glue I had bought for the saildrive gaiter and using that, but then the less than smooth surface choosing to detach itself and stick to the rubber not the fridge, then  ........... oh, I feel I may have said too much  :)

"Only trying to help dear"  :-*

Salty

  • Old Salt
  • *****
  • Posts: 1216
  • Karma: +3/-1
  • Boat Model: Bavaria 36
  • Boat Year: 2002
Re: Top loading fridge seal.
« Reply #6 on: August 26 2019, 20:41 »
Oh oh,  nothing personal, but might it help if I insert here the last line from the scuttlebut jokes column today where it reads

 A WISE MAN ONCE SAID.............NOTHING. 🙊

blue-max

  • Old Salt
  • *****
  • Posts: 212
  • Karma: +1/-2
  • Boat Model: ocean 47
  • Boat Year: 2000
Re: Top loading fridge seal.
« Reply #7 on: November 02 2019, 20:51 »
I tried a D type hollow profile seal stuck to the base and side of the aluminium frame but it turned out to be too thick. I then used a flat sticky tape from 3M on both faces which works better. A significant loss of thermal performance occurs where the lid joins the frame. I have thought about having a second lid inside the box 

Bavaria 34

  • Second Mate
  • **
  • Posts: 25
  • Karma: +0/-0
  • Boat Model: Bavaria 34
  • Boat Year: 2001
Re: Top loading fridge seal.
« Reply #8 on: January 18 2020, 17:46 »
Just wondering if anyone has fitted a new seal lately.

I bought some 7mm wide x 10mm high from Penguin Refrigeration and although it looked great, using an A4 sheet of paper it was obviously not gripping/sealing on the opening edge. The edge was also a little high visually too which was a bit of a give away  :(

8 weeks with a heavy toolbox and spanners sitting on it hasn't improved things.

Seals Direct were good enough to send me a sample of SEN196

https://www.sealsdirect.co.uk/shopping.asp?intDepartmentId=1#16

but at 9 wide x 6 high it seemed too low hence the order from Penguin.

Clipper can't help.

I just can't believe it is this difficult. Would Bavaria/their supplier really have designed a fridge that needed a non-standard seal?

Seems so.

Any help appreciated.






Jeff Jones

  • First Mate
  • ***
  • Posts: 67
  • Karma: +0/-0
  • Boat Model: Bavaria 34
  • Boat Year: 2000
Re: Top loading fridge seal.
« Reply #9 on: January 19 2020, 18:42 »
I haven't job this job yet, but on list to be done soon.. 

I am going to try this seal left over from a polycarb roofing job, looks like it should squash to do the job.

Found a link to it at https://www.screwfix.com/p/stormguard-dry-glaze-black-25m/43490

I'll feed back results...

Bavaria 34

  • Second Mate
  • **
  • Posts: 25
  • Karma: +0/-0
  • Boat Model: Bavaria 34
  • Boat Year: 2001
Re: Top loading fridge seal.
« Reply #10 on: January 19 2020, 19:27 »
Thanks Jeff but too wide, too low.

PEA-JAY

  • Able Seaman
  • ****
  • Posts: 193
  • Karma: +0/-0
  • Boat Model: B-Cruiser 39
  • Boat Year: 2005
Re: Top loading fridge seal.
« Reply #11 on: January 20 2020, 05:20 »
How about a bead of white or clear silicone on the lid rather than on the top of the box. Might just work

Bavaria 34

  • Second Mate
  • **
  • Posts: 25
  • Karma: +0/-0
  • Boat Model: Bavaria 34
  • Boat Year: 2001
Re: Top loading fridge seal.
« Reply #12 on: January 20 2020, 17:56 »
It's a thought thanks but doesn't overcome the fact that the current new seal is forcing the lid up just enough at the front and gives an uneven surface.

One thought is that we go lower height and put a bead of sealant on top of it but it's a bit of a bodge.

Currently investigating foam strips which I'm sure will slowly disintegrate but if I have to replace them every season so be it.

Still can't believe it's so difficult  >:(

PEA-JAY

  • Able Seaman
  • ****
  • Posts: 193
  • Karma: +0/-0
  • Boat Model: B-Cruiser 39
  • Boat Year: 2005
Re: Top loading fridge seal.
« Reply #13 on: January 20 2020, 19:59 »
I wasn’t thinking of seal + silicone but just silicone. I’m thinking that placing a cling film over the opening of the fridge and place a couple of spacers to keep the lid slightly proud of the work surface, or place a solid object under the lid so that when the lid is closed it won’t push out all the silicone. Apply a generous bead and allow to dry. Trim excess with a sharp blade.
Having said all that, my 2005 B39c fridge lid never had a gasket and I’m pretty sure there is no insulation on the inside of the lid. Med summer ambient in the cabin is easily 40C, the fridge suffers a little but filling up the space with beer cans, mineral water bottles etc seems to help retain a low temperature

Bavaria 34

  • Second Mate
  • **
  • Posts: 25
  • Karma: +0/-0
  • Boat Model: Bavaria 34
  • Boat Year: 2001
Re: Top loading fridge seal.
« Reply #14 on: January 21 2020, 02:34 »
Thanks for the suggestion.

If I thought that I could trim the sealant in an absolutely horizontal plane I might do it but all I can see is a wavy line alternating at too high and too low.

STILL amazed that with all the Bavarias sold that no-one has found a source but if as you say you don't have a seal that might explain my dilemma.

dawntreader

  • Old Salt
  • *****
  • Posts: 559
  • Karma: +0/-0
  • Boat Model: Bavaria37
  • Boat Year: 2006
Re: Top loading fridge seal.
« Reply #15 on: January 21 2020, 06:04 »
....perhaps one of you clever engineers out there could come up with a mechanical fixing to keep the lid held down under pressure to maintain a tight seal?  ::) >:D