Fridge Condenser Cleaning

[Wayne]

On my hands and knees with a flashlight in the galley looking for things to do on our two cabin 40 I discover both fridge condensers covered with dust behind the grill. However, I discover the grills don't just pop off. 

Am I correct in assuming I need to remove or disassemble the cabinet to gain access? Using a mirror I can see how they are attached to the cabinet but seems like a lot of work must be performed to get at the condensers. 

Any tips would be greatly appreciated.

Wayne

[Peter Obetz]

You have identified one of the relatively few true design or build flaws in these boats.  I had to use a putty knife to basically cut the grills out which have been caulked in (seemingly with 5200).  Once I got them out and shaved off the excess amount of caulking they now simply press in and out with just friction.  I also bought two 4 inch square plastic louvers and cut them into the access panel which is above the compressors, this lets a huge amount of heat escape up out of that compartment.

Once you have access you will see all the dust in those fins.  I use compressed air to finish off the cleaning etc.  All of this led to a much reduced run time of the compressors.

If anyone else has other suggestions that would be great.

[sam]

Peter is spot on. I too had to "pry" the two wooden return grills off. Then I drilled a slightly countersunk screw hole on each side of the verticals and now have two screws holding each grill. Works great. I too added a couple of additional air vents on the top of the compartment.

I also found that a tooth "brush" , made by Oral B that is essentially a handle that you replace small brushes in the shape of small Christmas trees works really well to clean the fins. I am amazed at how much fuzz collects.

Sam

[Wayne]

Peter and Sam thank you for the replies. Surely disappointing they were glued in the way they are. Well after doing this I will tackle (one more time) the water in the bilge from what I think comes from the shower sump. Have pulled it once, tightened the hose clamps and resealed. Bilge stayed dry for three weeks while off the boat and wet after returning and using the head sink again.
Always something!

[Mike Brown]

I did the same thing Peter and Sam did and check the fins on a weekly basis. And like them I also installed vents directly above each compressor to allow heat to escape. I use a small cheap paint brush to clean out most of the fuzz. When it gets to be too much on the inner coils I use a pipe cleaner. Just try to do it when the compressors aren't running or whatever you use to reach in deeply will hit the fan. It all adds up for a more efficient cooling system.

Mike