Looking for a small top-load icebox

[superdave]

Does anybody have any ideas on where I could find a small installable icebox? I would like a top-load, and prefer a good used deal, but would appreciate any info.

Thanks,
Dave

[Valiente]

Why not use a Koolatron? You can keep the food cool at home, plug it into AC until you leave and then just wrap the box in a sleeping bag or plug it into a 12VDC socket (draw is about 4 amps to the Peltier fan).

I use my icebox for dry and bottle stowage now, as it needs a complete rebuild to be effective even with ice.

[Faster]

If you have the power reserves one of the Koolatron types may do the job for you - though it takes up space and it sounds like you want it under-counter.

I've seen ordinary coolers with the lids removed mounted below the galley counter to create an ice box - it worked after a fashion but didn't make the best use of space, and was not really well insulated.

Iceboxes are not diffucult to make - if you know where you want it you can form it up with styrofoam, then epoxy/glass the inside, fair it and paint it and work out the lid (which should also be insulated).

Be sure to arrange for a drain to the bilge or a pumpout into a sink. The nice thing about this method is you can make maximum use of the "odd" shape of the boat where you want the ice box to be, and you can use as much insulation as your area will provide once you determine the ice box volume that you want.

If you use regular, inexpensive styrofoam, don't use polyester resin - it will dissolve the foam - use epoxy and cloth.

[sailingdog]

When you make the drain, make sure that it has a trap in it, otherwise all the nice cold air ends up flowing down it, and the ice doesn't last very long, as it keeps having to cool the warm air that fills the box back up.

[pigslo]

And where is the air coming from with the trap that it will be any different in temperature. Water goes out and air comes in from outside the box, trap or no trap. Simple thermodynamics.
pigslo

[hellosailor]

Dave, what do you consider "small" ? For what type of boat/use?

[superdave]

It's a 23' Coronado MkII - pretty small! The cabinet seems to be perhaps 3' high, 2' deep and 2' wide... Smaller would of course be considerable.

-Dave

[hellosailor]

Dave, on a 23' boat the icebox is typically a Coleman.

For good reason. Easier to load & unload back at home. Easier to clean (take it to the hose). Many designs have a spot right under the companionway, where an icebox is intended to be stored and used as a companionway step, killing two birds with one stone. If you've got a spot like that, ask other Coronado owners if there's a particular make/size that fits well, otherwise...get a ruler & stop by WalMart.

[Faster]

Originally Posted by pigslo

And where is the air coming from with the trap that it will be any different in temperature. Water goes out and air comes in from outside the box, trap or no trap. Simple thermodynamics.
pigslo

It's the colder denser air from the icebox that will flow out the drain without a trap. The trap holds water, which stops the cold air flow. As water accumulates the head pressure pushes over the top and the water runs out, leaving the trap seal behind.

[T34C]

Originally Posted by superdave

Does anybody have any ideas on where I could find a small installable icebox? I would like a top-load, and prefer a good used deal, but would appreciate any info.

Thanks,
Dave

I have a great one. Unfortunatly it came built into the cockpit of my boat.