MkI Ice Box drain

4 posts / 0 new
Last post
Pelican
Offline
Joined: 9/21/15
Posts: 34
MkI Ice Box drain

Hi Friends,
The ice box on our 1989 Mk1 is draining very slowly. I am not sure, but my understanding was that it drains to the bilge as the ice melts. We have the water manifold located under the stove. No foot pump. I would like to tap the collective wisdom here and see what you all think I need to do to unclog the drain and get better performance of the refrigerator/ice box drain system. Thanks in advance. 

Ciao,
PO

Paul O,
S/V Pelican
1989 Catalina 36  Mk I  #894
Oceanside, California
 

benethridge's picture
benethridge
Offline
Joined: 5/13/09
Posts: 446

I would take off the hose and clean it out.

On mine I keep it stopped with a rubber stopper to stop cold air from leaking into the bilge.  Once a month, I take off the stopper and let the water drain into the bilge and then let my electric mini-bilge pump suck the bilge dry...but I have an Alder Barbour refrigerator, not ice.

 

Ben Ethridge
Miami, FL
1984 MK1 Hull# 263

Catboat Willy's picture
Catboat Willy
Offline
Joined: 12/22/14
Posts: 385

My first suggestion is to understand exactly what configuration you have in the drain your ice box. By that I mean that a previous owner may have removed the foot pump and put in a directional flow device (sometimes called a check valve) that allows water to flow only in one direction.It sounds as if you ice box drains directly into the bilge. This of course was not the original configuration.With yours draining directly into the bilge, why not not just force water from a hose through the drain in the bottom of the frig and see if you can force and trapped debris out in to the bilge.Pull out that box under the stove and take a look.
Also, some comments on the fridge; Use a 1/2 inch rubber plug in the bottom  of the frig to keep cold air in and an idea borrowed from the RV world, we've found that a small battery operated fan located inside the fridge helps to keep things quite cold. Check that out
at an RV supplier or on line.

Bill Dolan 1990 Catalina C-36 MKI - Hull #1041  'Williwaw'
Std. Rig, Walk Through, Wing Keel
M35, Oberdorfer Conversion,
Home Waters; Charlotte  Harbor & The Gulf Islands of Florida
'You are never out of work if you own a boat'

 

Pelican
Offline
Joined: 9/21/15
Posts: 34

Hi Friends,

Turns out the ice box is plumbed to a whale foot pump then off to the sink drain. The pump is currently frozen from lack of use and the pedal broken off. I have removed the tubing leading to the pump body and we are now draining to the bilge for sure. At some point in the future I will attempt to restore the original configuration. For now the ice box drains quite well, I will employ the plug trick to keep things cool and drain to the bilge periodically. Thank for all the help gents.

Cheers,
PO

Paul O,
S/V Pelican
1989 Catalina 36  Mk I  #894
Oceanside, California
 

Log in or register to post comments