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Ice Box drain

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Dustysailz
1st Mate

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USA
85 Posts

Initially Posted - 07/09/2008 : 20:21:44

I know there have been prior threads regarding this subject, but my discovery deserves one more posting. As many of you have experienced I also had a problem with my ice box draining properly as it shares a line with the thru hull for the sink (yes there is a check valve in place which prevents back fill to the ice box). I have always had a problem with the ice box not draining properly. This year I was going to install a cutoff on the line to the sink, to isolate it, but before I could do so, I put the stopper in place so that if I had filled the sink with water it would not have drained. Amazingly, this one little action has resolved my problem. The sink and ice box drain are both functional! No more floating drinks or soggy lunches in the ice box and just when I thought I would also use it for dry storage. Hope this works for you as it was an extremely easy fix for me!

Samuel Jennings, "Ode To Joy", '84 Std. Rig, fin keel, #4503

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Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3758 Posts

Response Posted - 07/10/2008 : 19:59:00

I never thought about it, but the strainer/stopper is always in in stopper position. Maybe that is why I have never had the problems others report. Perhaps having what is essentially a vent line joining the drain below flap valve inhibits flow. Any plumbers out there?

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Stardog
Captain

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USA
319 Posts

Response Posted - 07/11/2008 : 15:43:50

This is very interesting, it bears investigation. My icebox has always drained very slowly and I've decided to replace the valve this year. The fact that the valve is 24 years old and lookin' pretty ratty helped to influence my decision also. I'm wondering if the original is still made or better yet, is there a more effective replacement?

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Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5416 Posts

Response Posted - 07/13/2008 : 23:56:08

Clifford -
I was looking at my sink and icebox drains the other day. They are exceedingly slow through the hull, but it's not the hoses nor is it the drains that are the problems.

I pulled the hoses off the through-hull fitting and wouldn't you know it, they both ran like champs.

So I suspect the through-hull may be clogged with crap, barnacles or seagrass. I don't want to try to snake out the through-hull while the boat is in the water, as I may get very successful and sink the boat.

If you do find a replacement for the icebox drain, pls let me know. I'd be interested in replacing it, as it is completely encrusted with corrosion.

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Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 07/14/2008 : 16:23:59

I concluded that the problem was air caught in a high point in a drain hose. Two factors can contribute to that: <ul><li>An empty hose that can introduce air into the other hose.</li><li>A high point (upward loop) in the hose.</li></ul>I corrected one upward loop with a block of wood, making the hose slope dowward for its entire length. The drain plug probably helps by holding some water in the sink hose (by vacuum), preventing it from introducing air into the ice box hose.

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Tom Gauntt
Navigator

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204 Posts

Response Posted - 07/17/2008 : 19:21:22

Bruce,
I saw a neat trick the other day that you might try to unclog your thru-hull. Close the valve and remove the drain hose. Take a length of spare hose long enough to get you above the waterline and attach it to the valve. Next, take a piece of stiff wire (a coat hanger works well) and insert it in the open end of the hose. Open the valve and then just snake the wire down through the thru-hull to clean out all the critters. When it's cleaned out, just reverse the steps!

Tom

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Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 07/17/2008 : 21:09:56

Another shortcut... Put some water in the sink, press your air horn against the sink drain, and push the button.

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Cate
Navigator

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199 Posts

Response Posted - 07/22/2008 : 11:04:33

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Dave Bristle
 Another shortcut... Put some water in the sink, press your air horn against the sink drain, and push the button.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Does this really work or are you kidding around?
I was going to use a small plunger to get things moving after I replaced my thru hull and re-connected the sink drain hose.

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Cate
Navigator

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199 Posts

Response Posted - 07/23/2008 : 09:21:11

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Cate
 <blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Dave Bristle
 Another shortcut... Put some water in the sink, press your air horn against the sink drain, and push the button.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Does this really work or are you kidding around?
I was going to use a small plunger to get things moving after I replaced my thru hull and re-connected the sink drain hose.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

I tried the air horn method and it works! Sink is draining beautifully now. (I disconnected ice box drain when we replaced the thru hull. We're using frozen gallon jugs of water for our cooling in there. Shouldn't be a lot of water.)

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Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3758 Posts

Response Posted - 07/23/2008 : 15:21:53

I keep a small plunger on the boat. I think the back and forth motion clears the lines and through hull better, but if the horn is all you need, that is one less piece of junk to store.

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Stardog
Captain

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USA
319 Posts

Response Posted - 07/23/2008 : 15:46:36

I've never had problems with my sink drain, only the icebox drain which runs like molasses in winter. I'm still looking for a new valve, I'll post information when I find one.

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Stardog
Captain

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USA
319 Posts

Response Posted - 07/24/2008 : 13:54:43

I've been spending a lot of time reading up on check valves and trying to find something appropriate. I think this is going to be one of these, the 212 & 214 models open at .07 PSI. It also occurred to me that the existing check valve is mounted almost next to the seacock, which is well below the water line. It might be worth mounting the new on up above the water line, where it will be open virtually all the time, except when the sink is draining or the boat is heeling over, I'm thinking this would help to keep it from being fouled.

http://www.smartproducts.com/check_valves_series_200_npt.php

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Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 07/24/2008 : 14:28:14

Sorry, but I don't get this "ice box" thing... It's too small, too deep, too hard to reach into, too poorly insulated, can't be carried or moved, doesn't drain completely even when the drain works,... But plugged up, it makes a decent storage bin for cleaning supplies or dry food. Are you guys just blinded by the challenge?

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Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3758 Posts

Response Posted - 07/24/2008 : 14:55:25

I use the icebox. I don't want a cooler in the way most of the time. Dry food is light weight and sits comfortably at the back of the quarterberth in a large tupperware container. Cleaning supplies are in the locker below the old stove location, snacks are in the bottom drawer, and myriad other infrequently accessed things are in tupperware in the bilge. To each his own.

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stampeder
Master Marine Consultant

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1608 Posts

Response Posted - 07/24/2008 : 16:19:48

I use the Icebox for long trips - I put dry-ice in there and it works like a charm. Stuff frozen with dry-ice is frozen harder than anything you can freeze in your kitchen freezer.

I would not use the ice-box with anything other than dry-ice.

For most of the year, I use the Icebox for storage of things that I rarely use.

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Sloop Smitten
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1181 Posts

Response Posted - 07/24/2008 : 17:36:52

I use the icebox for dry storage for the reasons indicated. I have never used the onboard water tank but this year, on our Catalina Island trip, I did and discovered about 4" of water in the icebox. Luckily the items I stored in the box were a spare stove and knife set so nothing was damaged. A closer inspection revealed the thru-hull, which is connected to the icebox and sink, is about four inches above the bottom of the ice box so as the sink drains it accumulates 4" of water. From the outside of the boat the thru-hull appears right at the waterline. Is that the proper place for the thru-hull? I intend to block off the icebox so it is no big deal but was just curious.

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Stardog
Captain

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USA
319 Posts

Response Posted - 07/24/2008 : 18:21:10

I found the insulation inadequate when I got my boat. I pulled out everything underneath there so I could get at it and surrounded the whole thing with spray foam, then I added an inch of styrofoam insulation and a seal to the bottom of the lid. I've used it this way for years, it keeps things cold for days when you drop a block of ice in it. It's where it belongs, out of the way and I don't have to climb over it or worry it's going to come loose and spill all over the cabin sole.

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