Catalina 350 International Association

I know this is an old subject but was curious to see if anyone had any new ideas about keeping the seal on the door on the hinge side? Has anyone tried attaching the seal to the fridge itself in the same pattern as on the door and then let the door close against it?
Thanx, Jim

Jim I'm dealing with the same problem on my unit. Taking the door off to access the gasket on the hinge side is a pain. I've had problems with the gasket staying put after applying adhesive. The bend at the corners makes adhesion difficult. I'd like to try your suggestion but am afraid I would destroy the remainder of the gasket trying to remove it. Keep us posted.

Hi Ken - Before I removed all of the seal from the door and installed new seal on the face of the fridge, I thought of adding a 1/16" aluminum spacer under each hinge base (top & bottom) and haven't had any twisting of the seal at the hinges yet. I haven't run the unit yet so don't know if it will leak any cold air but couldn't leak any more that a twisted seal. I'll follow-up with a report after this weekend and boat use.
Cheers,
Jim

Good idea Jim. Keep us posted on how it works.

I finally used the freezer/fridge last weekend (I don't keep it on when I'm not on the boat) and it DID NOT leak any cold air from around the gasket after installing the spacer under each door hinge between the hinge and the fridge itself (see my previous post). And it has not twisted the gasket at all so my idea seems to work well, for me anyway.
Cheers, Jim

Well, the frig door seal worked well for a while with the spacers in the hinges, but eventually twisted the seal on that side. So, this winter I took the door off (have gotten good at that now) and removed the old seal from the door itself. I took new seal (in one piece from a roll) and placed it on the face of the fridge itself and let the door press against it for a week. I finally had the guts to open the door yesterday, and then again today; the seal worked perfectly with no twisting. Now the real test will be this spring when the reefer is running, and the boat's interior is warmer.

Jim,

Exactly what gasket/seal product did you use?

And, absolutely let us know if it reduces compressor run time.

Brett, when I replaced the gasket on mine I ordered it from Catalina Parts Dept. I tried a number of other sources (auto parts stores, etc.) but couldn't find anything close to what the factory installed.

I used Trim-Lok 135 D-Seal. See pic.
Cheers, Jim

I have now had a chance to use my box mounted seal (as opposed to the factory door mounted seal) while cruising and it works like a dream. The door closes tighter with no cold air escaping around the seal and the seal itself hasn't twisted.
Cheers, Jim

I have same issue with Frost on my 2003 Cat 350 refig, Catalina Direct recommends replacement foam seal part # Z2355

From Catalina Direct site:
Gasket Hatch & Pop Top Foam White Early P/N Z2355 $49.75 for a 25' roll, Solid foam, adhesive backed 3/4" x 5/8" high.
"This new gasket: 5/8" high X 3/4" wide X 25' long.
Unlike weather strip material typically found in a hardware store, this foam is a closed cell EVA foam which won't absorb water. It is much higher density than the hardware store variety as well, providing a more positive seal."