Fridge Insulation

Submitted: Saturday, Oct 22, 2016 at 12:25
ThreadID: 133641 Views:3194 Replies:4 FollowUps:6
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I have a built in 12v compressor fridge. (140 litre Waeco) There is space at the sides to add insulation. I have left over batt style house insulation. My query is is it more effective at insulating as a loose fit or if I compress it will it insulate more efficiently ie if the gap is 2 inches and the uncompressed insulation is 2 inches would it work better if I made 2 sheets fit by compressing each to one inch
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Reply By: Gronk - Saturday, Oct 22, 2016 at 13:54

Saturday, Oct 22, 2016 at 13:54
Interesting post, as I have similar thoughts to further insulate a Waeco 110 ltr fridge.

OR, is the batt style insulation as good as the foil sided type of stuff ??
Or, if you compress 2 sheets, how do you keep it compressed, or are you planning on shoving it into a gap somehow ?

OR, instead of fitting the max width in, do you want to still leave an air gap for ventilation and cooling ??
AnswerID: 605285

Follow Up By: terryt - Saturday, Oct 22, 2016 at 14:37

Saturday, Oct 22, 2016 at 14:37
My thought was to shove it in the gap on each side leaving the gap at the back as is. This is the area the air passes through. I didn't think you needed to have a gap on the sides. Am I wrong?
I haven't looked at the top or bottom yet. I thought insulation was meant to prevent losing cold and/or gaining heat. I know you need to keep air intakes etc clear but thought the more insulation you had everywhere else the better. Does this make sense?
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Reply By: Allan B (Member, SunCoast) - Saturday, Oct 22, 2016 at 16:47

Saturday, Oct 22, 2016 at 16:47
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Terry,
The principle of batt style (glass wool?) insulation is that it creates many trapped pockets of air that insulate. The actual glass fibres have little insulation value.
If you compress the batt you eliminate the insulating air pockets. So no, do not compress the batt from its original thickness.
Cheers
Allan

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Follow Up By: terryt - Saturday, Oct 22, 2016 at 20:49

Saturday, Oct 22, 2016 at 20:49
Thanks Allan. I'll pop it in loosely.
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Reply By: Peter_n_Margaret - Monday, Oct 24, 2016 at 16:09

Monday, Oct 24, 2016 at 16:09
Closed cell rigid polyurethane foam is the about the best common insulation.
That is what is used in the original fridge.
Buyable in sheets and 50mm will be a huge improvement.

Cheers,
Peter
OKA196 motorhome
AnswerID: 605376

Reply By: snoopy1 - Thursday, Oct 27, 2016 at 14:58

Thursday, Oct 27, 2016 at 14:58
I have just put in 20mm Foilboard as insulation around my Waeco in a camper trailer. It was recommended by manufacturer to leave a gap the same thickness as the board as this just about doubles the R value. I used a neutral cure silicone to attach it to ceiling & wall of fridge cabinet. Seems like a great solution.
AnswerID: 605456

Follow Up By: Allan B (Member, SunCoast) - Thursday, Oct 27, 2016 at 17:08

Thursday, Oct 27, 2016 at 17:08
.
Foil board may be a good product but they claim on their website....
"Foil board... is fully endorsed by Standards Australia."
They may well 'comply' with the appropriate Australian standard(s) but.........

Standards Australia state that .....
"We do not enforce, regulate or certify compliance with these standards."
Are all the other statements on their website correct?
Cheers
Allan

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Follow Up By: terryt - Thursday, Oct 27, 2016 at 17:39

Thursday, Oct 27, 2016 at 17:39
Thanks Snoopy1. Just to clarify. You state the manufacturer recommends leaving a gap the same thickness as the board. Is it the gap that almost doubles the R rating?
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Follow Up By: snoopy1 - Thursday, Oct 27, 2016 at 19:07

Thursday, Oct 27, 2016 at 19:07
Hi terryt. My understanding is that the air gap between the outside wall where the heat is coming from (in my case) and the shiny side of the foliboard does increase the R rating as opposed to attaching the foilboard directly to the outside wall. I got the figures in an email which I no longer have. This is a link to their FAQ page http://www.foilboard.com.au/FAQs
I have no affiliation with Foilboard pother than having used their product.

Hi Allen B. All I can say is I am glad I am not as cynical as you seem to be otherwise I would never log on to Explore Oz.
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Follow Up By: Allan B (Member, SunCoast) - Thursday, Oct 27, 2016 at 19:28

Thursday, Oct 27, 2016 at 19:28
Yes, your'e right Snoopy, sorry about that, I am getting cynical in my old age. I guess it comes from being dismayed by so many trying to con me in one way or another.

I do agree with you that the foil needs to be able to reflect back into an air space for best performance.
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Allan

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