Replacement refrigerator seals - no manfacturers part available.

[julianf]

Ive got an old engle fridge in the camper van. Its a 12v compressor fridge, rather than a peltier plate thing. Ie a proper fridge - ice cubes and the like.

Its not this model, but its very very similar -

Mine is a 565, and i think that is a 65.


Anyway it seems i cant get an off-the-shelf seal, and the online place that i called, who sell off the roll want £50+delivery+vat - which seems a lot to me.

I think i paid £80 for the fridge years ago, so im loath to spend the same again on a door seal.


Ive just looked on curreys, and, indeed, you can get a whole 240v fridge, in a similar size, for what im being quoted for a seal.


Anyone got any ideas for me?

 

[pedrobedro]

How much is the seal for the comparable 240v fridge door ? You can get universal door seal from espares, I've never tried it though I did have some universal oven door seal and that worked.

 

[Barking Mat]

12volt fridges are way expensive. We now stick inverters in and buy 240volt fridges.
Your fridge looks very similar to bog standard boat and camping car fridges. I'm searching for the make we use at work. Measure the door, I'm at work tommorow. We've a pile of dead fridges at work.

 

[gordon stephenson]

How is it different to a "normal" fridge seal? Can you not salvage one from the local council tip?

 

[julianf]

http://www.engelfridges.co.uk/

Any help?

I called them - they emailed Engel, couldnt get the correct seal, but offered to sell me one that they had in the workshop that might fit (who's part number had worn off) for £48 + delivery + vat.


Inverters are fine if the vehical is in use, but if its parked up, and youre running off solar, the losses are too great.


A scrap fridge isnt a bad idea - the corners are cut at 45 degrees and somhow welded - any ideas? I think the chances of finding one a perfect fit are slim.


Ill take some measurements tomorrow. Chap at the link above reckoned it would be close to 20" x 17", but ill check the actual unit in the morning - thank you.

 

[Barking Mat]

Welded with pu mastic obviously. For that pro look, you want white mastic.

 

[Barking Mat]

Frankly, buy a cheap, bigger seal, sharp Stanley knife, bathroom silicone, you'll get it oiff again, pu its for life. Lifespan of a fridgevlike that 5 years? Its the pump units which die, you can regas them. The freezer boxes which transfer the cold also replace. We use Kent marine, not cheap but we have pro discounts. Still cost 700 euros of the top of my head.

 

[Barking Mat]

Gordon Stephenson. A fridge seal is a fridge door seal. Must exist in rolls. But 50meters? Sorted for life.

 

[julianf]

Possibly its because theyre not used for much of the time, but there's a lot of these old engels about.

I think ive had this one about 10 years, and it wasnt current when i purchased it 2nd hand.

It works fine, but the seal is not sealing, so it runs more of the time than it needs to.

I might take off the whole door tomorrow and bring it in - get some good photos etc.

 

[Barking Mat]

Even brand new fridges the doors never shut correctly. They have ****e plastic clips at the top.

 

[Barking Mat]

Isotherm, indel, mainly waeco. These are the fridges we use at work, they're all pretty standard sizes dometic are generally caravans as well. You sure you can't find generic fridge door seals?

 

[Barking Mat]

Espares.co.UK generic universal fridge freezer door seal. 20 quid.

 

[Rig Pig]

Looks very similar size to a 3 way caravan fridge, might be worth measuring one of them??

 

[julianf]

Ill get the details tomorrow.

The firm that i spoke to were on about all these different profiles, and if it was magnetic.

Ive never considered it before, for some reason, but i guess most fridge seals must be magnetic, otherwise they wouldnt really seal without a sprung door.

 

[Barking Mat]

Not all magnetic, hence closing badly. As rig pig says, looks like abog standard 3 way fridge, boats camping cars....

 

[Alan Reynolds]

Is there something in the double glazing seal repetoire that could be used?

https://www.handlesandhinges.co.uk/upvc-gaskets-and-double-glazing-seals/

 

[Robotstar5]

Try a company called Inlander, they specialise in 12V fridges.

 

[MCKDAVID]

have a look for walk in fridge / freezers, commercial units spares.. You can get rolls of generic type door seals, will have a look for you, but the basic stuff will be more than enough. cheap enough and available by the metre.

 

[HughF]

I have a norcold in my van, engel parts fit (I think engel made them for norcold)... Perhaps the attached will be of use?

 

[julianf]

Thank you.

Ive had a look today, and removed the seal. Its a magnetic "dart" seal - it pushes into a groove in the door.

Size is 20" x 17", which i think is pretty standard.

The seal is actually more or less intact, but i think that its hardened over age. Im going to attempt to soak it in a hot bath and see if it will get back some of its shape.


I just cant believe these things are so expensive. Ive looked at similar fridge seals (electrolux and the like) and evreyone wants about £50.