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Refrigerators????
By halfcrazy, Section Remote Living Posted on Mon May 31st, 2004 at 06:26:43 AM MST
I live entirely off grid and

I live entirely off grid and currently use a consul gas fridge. My question is i want to switch to a 120 volt fridge so as to eliminate some propane usage. what does everyone recommend i have looked at the conserve 120 volt fridge but my question is is it worht the extra or should one just get the best efficient kanmore from sears? seems like i read somewhere kenmore had one that was pretty impressive with its ratings?? thanks for the info
Halfcrazy

Refrigerators???? | 4 comments (4 topical, 0 editorial)

Re: Refrigerators???? (none / 0) (#1)
by erne on Mon May 31st, 2004 at 01:07:24 PM MST
(User Info)

I have a conserve refrigerator, It used 1.2 KW per 24 hr. period. the thing that kills you is inverter run time. my inverter uses 38 watts a hour. I had to put in a mechanical thermostat in order to make things function normaly. the frig thermostat needs elect 24/7's using up 38 watts a hour for 14 hours that the frig was off. the mechanical thermostat cured that problem. the one I use has a 4 to 5 degree spread where the frig was 3 degrees this saved me 1 tenth of a KW of the 1.2 on grid. I disconnected the heater coil in the door and got another tenth and now use between .98 and 1 KW. the conserve has 2 compressors and the frig runs 3 times more than the freezer so no alteration is needed on the electrical. If you call the factory they will tell you this will void their warenty. you can get a mechanical plug that the frig just plugs into and it plugs into the receptical with no alterations. at brew city supply for about $50. just turn the frig thermostat to max.
there should be a artical on it in the arcives.---erne

Re: Refrigerators???? (none / 0) (#2)
by RobD on Tue Jun 1st, 2004 at 07:16:06 AM MST
(User Info) http://www.dsgnspec.com

I agree fridges are a problem. We're doing things like root cellars. I live in a cold climate so we thought about an ice house because I have a pond here that freezes over in the winter. I also thought about putting a box on the north side of the house like they used to do before electric. I just saw a $30.00 cooler that claims to be able to keep a piece of ice for 5 days in 90 degree weather maybe I'll pick one up to see what I can make from it.
RobD

Re: Refrigerators???? (3.00 / 0) (#4)
by Curtludwig on Tue Jul 27th, 2004 at 03:30:30 PM MST
(User Info)

We have 3 of the coolers at our camp. They work good, block ice is best. Great for keeping the beer cold. Some what small though, and its a pain to have to look through 3 coolers to find what you want. We have a system (meat cooler etc.) but somebody always forgets...

[ Parent ]

Re: Refrigerators???? (none / 0) (#3)
by HyperSpectral on Wed Jun 2nd, 2004 at 08:50:37 PM MST
(User Info)

I've heard of mad-scientist type tinkerers taking
an old fridge-box, tearing out the mechanicals, laying
it down like a chest-freezer, to conserve the cold, and
rigging the heat-producing compressors and pumps above
and away from the box. Some guys, who have the space to
do it, add on a couple feet of insulation around the box
and on top of the door...

[ Parent ]

Refrigerators???? | 4 comments (4 topical, 0 editorial)

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