Chest Freezer Conversion

54d18
54d18 Solar Expert Posts: 81 ✭✭✭
in Energy Use & Conservation #1
I have replaced the thermostat in a 4-5 cu. ft. freezer that
was given to me, its about a 1999 model. I installed a
refrigerator thermostat and ran the capillary tube through
the bottom to about half way up on the side, I adjusted
the differential to tighten it up because the cooling continues
after the compressor shuts off and this keeps the temp swing
down to about 2 deg. C. With the temp at about 1.5 - 3.5 deg. C,
I measured the wh for a 24 hr period to be about 150 wh.
The compressor runs for about 5-6 min. when it comes on.

The setup was trial, but works well, only problem that I haven't
hurdled yet is the fact that I have no actual freezer.

Has anyone else attempted to incorporate a "freezer" into one
of these conversions?
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Comments

  • Cariboocoot
    Cariboocoot Banned Posts: 17,615 ✭✭✭
    #2
    Re: Chest Freezer Conversion

    You'll want to read through this thread:
    http://forum.solar-electric.com/showthread.php?t=9

    Are you sure you mean 150 Watt hours? For a whole day? That would be cycling once, maybe twice a day.

    It's a good thought; incorporating a freezer section. But it would have to be below everything else, insulated for separation. Might be easier to run a smaller freezer unit besides.
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  • 54d18
    54d18 Solar Expert Posts: 81 ✭✭✭
    #3
    Re: Chest Freezer Conversion

    150 wh, when the fridge draws 115w while running,

    150/115=1.3 hrs (80 min) total running time.

    The fridge runs for 6 min at a time,

    80/6=13.3 times that it ran over the 24hr period.

    My measurements were with a power monitor
    similar to the killawatt that is mentioned here often,
    it showed 0.15 kwh for the 24hr period.

    The fridge ran more often until it and its contents were
    cooled down, but after that, it didn't run very often.

    The original test of 150wh, was with nothing in the fridge,
    and after it had run for an afternoon.
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  • Cariboocoot
    Cariboocoot Banned Posts: 17,615 ✭✭✭
    #4
    Re: Chest Freezer Conversion

    Those are great numbers! :D

    Compare that to a 16 cu.ft. "Energy Star" 'frige/freezer I "happen to know of":

    On average, runs 20 minutes out of every hour (8 hours a day) @ roughly 130 Watts: 1040 Watt hours per day, plus start-up surge and the horror of the auto defrost cycle (500 Watts, plus extra power to "recool" the refrigerant when done).

    Just in case anybody was wondering about whether or not there's any real savings in the chest-type refrigerator conversion. :p
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  • 54d18
    54d18 Solar Expert Posts: 81 ✭✭✭
    #5
    Re: Chest Freezer Conversion

    My test was a small unit, approx 5 cu. ft.

    It is rather small, but will serve well as a
    beverage cooler for spring and summer use,
    easily holds a couple cases of beer and pop.

    Hopefully, it will lessen the need for ice in coolers,
    its not the cost as much as the inconvinience
    of hauling it and caring for it.
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