New options for freezer to fridge conversions

[Sweet Tatorman]

Old hippies here will remember the Whole Earth Catalog which was first published in the late 60's. Sheesh, it's been over 55 years ago. At the time it was the be all, end all, DIY resource. On the subject of DIY electricity it covered wind and small scale hydro but no PV for good reason. Even 5 years later, PV still cost over $100/W adjusted to today's $. It was not until the 80's that PV prices had declined into the range of $10-20/W. I believe it was in this decade that the off grid folks really started to take notice of PV. Along with the more efficient but stupidly expensive DC refrigerators, the idea of the chest freezer conversions came into being. While the freezer conversions do have some convenience compromises, the idea has always appealed to me due to the potential for large energy savings. There have been numerous threads in these forums on conversions. While it may be old news for some here, I just recently discovered that there are now "off the shelf" solutions. A number of manufacturers now offer freezers that are capable of operation in the refrigerator temperature range. If interested, what to search for is "convertible freezer". Chest type conversions have always had the inconvenience factor when converted to fridges. I think I would be inclined to accept the efficiency hit of using an upright model in exchange for the convenience. There are a number of small convertible freezer models offered in the sub 10 ft^3 range that appear to be ideal for a cabin/tiny house setup where PV capacity is limited.
BTW, the yellow "Energy Guide" data for these units are based upon usage as a freezer. Data is not provided for usage as a fridge. In the fridge mode the savings will be very dependent upon ambient temperature but generally energy usage will fall in the range of 1/4 to 1/3 of that given for use as a freezer.

 

[WorldwideDave]

wow the whole earth catalog - it was a big deal in the pacific northwest, particularly on Bainbridge Island where I lived. Lots of hippies there at the time. And port townsend. I think the anarchists cookbook was made somewhere around there.

 

[rodrick]

I have both upright and chest fridges and finding stuff on the bottom shelf in the upright is getting more difficult I’m liking the chest more and more

 

[JWLV]

I have three refrigeration units all running off solar/batteries: a chest freezer, an upright freezer, and an upright convertible freezer.

I like the two upright freezers because they are frost free. It just means they have automatic defrost cycles. I like that I don't have to dig out the frost every few months that I have to with the chest freezer. The chest freezer was super cheap. I think I paid $150 or $200. The uprights were around $600. The convertible upright I am using as a fridge currently. It's nice to be able to switch back to freezer if I ever need to. Right now it's just keeping all my drinks nice and cold.

 

[Sweet Tatorman]

I have both upright and chest fridges and finding stuff on the bottom shelf in the upright is getting more difficult I’m liking the chest more and more

Good point. As an older person I can appreciate the issue of groveling around on the floor to get to those bottom shelf items. It appears that the smallish ones, say 12-14 ft^3 and less are 60" or less in height. If using one in that height range I would be inclined to have it up on a platform a couple of feet tall. The space underneath could be used for storage. I am thinking in terms of smallish ones as I have been helping a friend outfit a cabin/tiny house and will be advising her of options to consider. I have just recently added more panels there and finally refrigeration is an option.

 

[Skid]

I remember seeing a VW bus in the WEC that had a wood box on the rear full of chicken poop and claimed to run off the methane.

Fridges, particularly outside the US, have become very efficient. I have a 10 Cu Ft LG inverter fridge with freezer that uses 600w a day according to Kill-A-Watt.

 

[Backyard]

When I needed to use my chest freezer as a fridge, I put a PID temperature controller on it. Slipped the sensor under the lid gasket. Was able to control the temps to whatever I wanted.

Thought about swapping out the thermostat or tweaking the set screws to get it into the refrigerator range. Also thought about using one of these:

Amazon.com

 

[WorldwideDave]

I remember seeing a VW bus in the WEC that had a wood box on the rear full of chicken poop and claimed to run off the methane.

Fridges, particularly outside the US, have become very efficient. I have a 10 Cu Ft LG inverter fridge with freezer that uses 600w a day according to Kill-A-Watt.

Just saw a video about LG inverter fridges using 600W - not sure what size (22 cu in?). Got a link to your model? I want to try one out. Wife thinks that 22 Cu In is a small fridge but I don't know. She called it a 'dorm fridge' style.

 

[grebaba]

I built a power steering pump powered lift [dump] bed on my pick up off Mother Earths plan's.
Greg

 

[Skid]

Sorry, it's 205l, about 7 cu ft. About 5' high. It was a little off on the energy use, it's advertised at 133KwH/year, or 364w/day, I measured about 400w/day. About half that of a dorm/minibar fridge. I paid about $250 in India.

https://www.flipkart.com/lg-205-l-direct-cool-single-door-5-star-refrigerator-base-drawer-smart-inverter-compressor-humidity-controller-moist-n-fresh/p/itmff52073760052