WarPony
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Post by WarPony on Jul 14, 2013 10:17:39 GMT -8
Well, I have been tossing around the idea of a 3-way fridge but the cost is a tough pill to swallow so I decided to do an experiment with the original icebox and see how good it will keep ice. I bought 2 bags of ice and put them in the ice tray at 10 AM. At 1 I went and checked on them and found that the ice tray has cracks in it so, instead of the water draining out of the drain tube, it puddled at the bottom. End of the experiment...... The tray is glued to the inside so I can't remove it without destroying it. What have you guys done with your iceboxes?
Jeff
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redwings
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Post by redwings on Jul 14, 2013 14:24:16 GMT -8
I would think it depends on the extent of the cracking. If it isn't affecting the structure of the shelf (i.e., the shelf can handle the weight of the ice) you may be able to (shudder at the use of this word) silicone the cracks so the water will stay in the top tray and drain down the drain tube. We had an icebox that was cracked around where the tube departed from the top shelf and I gooed it up so the melted ice ran down into the tube. It lasted for as long as we owned the trailer and would be an easy re-fix if it failed.
What have you got to lose?
Diane
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Post by bigbill on Jul 14, 2013 15:51:30 GMT -8
If the cracks are affecting the structure of the shelf you can place a secondary shelf/ tray on top of the existing one and cut a hole right above the drain in the new tray then seal between the new and old tray with a ring of plumbers putty. You can use pop rivets to secure new tray to old or bolts and nuts.
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Post by bigbill on Jul 14, 2013 16:07:52 GMT -8
If you can't find a suitable size tray you can buy a light weight sheet of aluminum at the hardware then bend up edges and seal corners with cold weld of your choice. Another way is plexiglass and heat and form it over a wooden buck.
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hoosierpoet
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Post by hoosierpoet on Jul 14, 2013 17:18:23 GMT -8
I like the plexi idea! Do you think that would work also to create a tray to go under a portable air conditioner? I'm wanting to put the AC in the closet and need a tray to put under it and catch potential drips, it would need an edge or lip and I'd need a drain hole too. How much heat is needed to form it, and how is it done?
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Post by bigbill on Jul 14, 2013 18:11:19 GMT -8
Make a wooden form then ideally you place the whole thing in an even to soften the plastic till it will bend to the shape of your form ,but since most of us don't have an even that big or a wife that would allow you to do it in her kitchen. We can fall back to a heat gun it won't be as neat but it will work with a little practice. You can allow the corners to bunch up or fold or what ever you like. you can also notch the excess corner material out then glue the corners. There should be complete instructions on the internet goggle plastic bending or plexiglass forming. You might be able to buy a big baking sheet that would serve your purposes cheaper than building a tray for your A/C unit. They usually have 1/2 inch sides which should be plenty if you level the trailer when you camp. Or if you wanted higher sides you could add alum. sides as tall as you wanted. pop rivet them on, don't forget to seal seams.
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hoosierpoet
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Post by hoosierpoet on Jul 14, 2013 19:28:11 GMT -8
The baking sheet idea sounds really good - I go to a lot of auctions and see commercial baking stuff pretty often. Never would have thought of that, thanks!
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Hamlet
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Post by Hamlet on Jul 14, 2013 19:59:47 GMT -8
One thing to make sure of is that the drain hole isn't clogged with alkali from the ice. We accidentally left a block of ice in Hamlet's icebox a couple weeks ago with the door closed. I came back a few days later and the floor was flooded. It took me a few minutes to realize what the problem was, but only another few to fix it.
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Post by bigbill on Jul 15, 2013 4:33:09 GMT -8
Yes that is excellent advise. We used to keep a short section of speedometer cable in the drawer to slide through the ice drain. I cut it about a foot longer than the drain tube and it made a wonderful snake for cleaning the tube. Ours over the years also got clogged with all sorts of things, such as paper or a plastic off of the ice bag or anything little fingers could drop in the tray. We just got in the habit of checking it every time we added ice and when we got home, it took about 5 seconds to do.
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Hamlet
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Post by Hamlet on Jul 15, 2013 5:46:27 GMT -8
bigbill - great idea with the speedometer cable. Another "tool" for the toolbox!
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gonekayaking
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Post by gonekayaking on Jul 15, 2013 6:47:35 GMT -8
War Pony Another thing to consider is a rebuild of your icebox. I put additional insulation around the outside of mine and put as many layers of aluminum bubble wrap insulation as I could fit in the door. I also use block ice or better yet frozen juice jugs (filled with water) in my ice box. The ice lasts a couple of days...and if you use the jugs you don't really have to worry about drips.
I also pack it with stuff that is already pre cooled and use it mostly for produce which likes to be cool not cold. I pack meats frozen in my ice chest with a block of ice. I also use the aluminum bubble wrap in that and used aluminum tape to make it into 2 compartments one for ice, one for the frozen stuff. Bubble wrap on the top in side. and then another bubble wrap cover to go over it when sealed. On top of all of that a wet towel
On a recent 5 day trip with temps near 100, I started with one block of ice in it, and did not have to replace it.
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Post by bigbill on Jul 15, 2013 7:38:18 GMT -8
Another way to add insulation to the ice box is to build a thin box that will just squeeze into the cabinet opening where ice box goes then line the box with plastic wrap and insert the ice box now take expanding foam (like great stuff) and fill all the voids around the ice box then remove the box and you now have a super insulated ice box that can be re inserted in the cabinet And if if it is to large some place you can just shave off foam till it fits.
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Post by bigbill on Jul 15, 2013 7:48:45 GMT -8
bigbill - great idea with the speedometer cable. Another "tool" for the toolbox! Thanks I also keep a full length speedo cable in my tool box that I have used for many things from unplugging fuel lines to just about anything you can think of. They make a great fish tape to pull a wire with.
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Hamlet
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Post by Hamlet on Jul 15, 2013 17:07:39 GMT -8
We found a plastic container that was the perfect size to make a block of ice for Hamlet. Same deal, ice without the mess at least for the rirst few days out. It doesn't get super hot here, so even this week, when the thermometer will hit 90 a couple days, I should only have to buy ice but once or maybe twice.
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Post by bigbill on Jul 15, 2013 18:52:12 GMT -8
We used to freeze gallon jugs of iced tea and or water then we could drink it as it melted.
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