Giving up on my chest freezer to main fridge conversion.
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softdown
Solar Expert Posts: 3,825 ✭✭✭✭
Chest freezers only work when you fill them up and then slowly empty them. This is not what we do with refrigerators.
For a while I was able to keep the chest freezer to fridge conversion working ok. That went bye-bye due to prepping and the need to stuff it with more food. Food under the top layer no longer gets touched. A lot of cheese may be getting bad.
I am now considering a 6 cu. ft. LG inverter refrigerator with small freezer. 210 kWh/annual energy seems acceptable enough. Costs between $400 and $500.
All my links get mod deleted so - no link provided. Available at HD and Costco etc.
First Bank:16 180 watt Grape Solar with FM80 controller and 3648 Inverter....Fullriver 8D AGM solar batteries. Second Bank/MacGyver Special: 10 165(?) watt BP Solar with Renogy MPPT 40A controller/ and Xantrex C-35 PWM controller/ and Morningstar PWM controller...Cotek 24V PSW inverter....forklift and diesel locomotive batteries
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I have not edited out links in a post for years--Other than a couple spammy ones (not from you that I recall).
My rule is if the links are useful to the discussion, then they are OK. Don't really like links to "sales" as they tend to be short term (days/weeks) and really don't address technical discussions (that we tend to do here). And there are the guys in (typically) India posting links to Florida roofers and solar installers.
When I was using a chest freezer as an environmental chamber, I used a couple muffin fans to pull cold air from the bottom and circulate to the top--That may help mix of short/longer term storage and equalizing temperatures throughout the cold space.
Use smaller fans, and you are looking at 5 Watt +/- motors, and you could even reduce energy "injected into the cold space" by connecting to the thermostat and/or using timers (on for an hour to two, off for a bit, etc.).
Lastly, modern refrigerator/freezers seem to have pretty short life before failing. LG is a big player here...
1. Lots of compressor failures, settled a class action lawsuit for 2014-2017 products.
2. Newer compressors/cooling systems have seem to be failing often with current production
3. LG pulled a "wonderful" legal move. They printed a consumer label that said customers agree to mandatory arbitration on the outside of the shipping box (among other places like the manual). No pre-sale notifications(?).
https://duckduckgo.com/?q=lg+sued+for+refrigerator+compressor+failures&ia=web
-Bill "moderator" B.Near San Francisco California: 3.5kWatt Grid Tied Solar power system+small backup genset -
If you are storing for the long term, it is important that your freezer can hold an internal temperature well below 0F. The USDA says that beef, chicken, and many other foods have an "indefinite" shelf life when vacuum sealed and always held below 0F. Yes, I realize that the low temps use more energy, so it's a trade-off for longevity and food safety/quality.There is a world of difference between "keeping it frozen" and holding at well below zero!Both of my little 6-7 cu ft chest freezers cycle between -10F and -20F. I use a simple, low cost ($79.00) vacuum sealer to avoid freezer burn. I recently cooked a 3+ year old beef brisket that had no hint of being "old." I told everyone before serving it, so they were ready to be critical, but nobody could tell.
I always have more questions than answers. That's the nature of life. -
We have been pondering and need a new outdoor fridge for some time now. Buying an upright is almost impossible without having a freezer and we don't need more freezer space. Finding a refrigerator only unit is about impossible and seems 'special purpose' so if I can find one it is inordinately expensive compared to a unit with a freezer. So I have been pondering a smaller upright deep freeze with an INK BIRD thermostatic switch. The Ink Bird also has a programmable time delay that can protect the compressor from cycling too fast since it is disconnecting the power cord. And I can use the same switch to control the little PTC heating element which works perfect to add enough heat to keep the unit from freezing up in the winter. I also like the idea of the deep freezer 'converted' for fridge duty as there is no circulation fan under/behind the unit and the coils are within the case and not exposed to get clogged from mice or debris.
Our Maytag energy star chest freezers inside are well insulated and run very low wattage which is an absolute priority. The PTC heating element is only around 25 watts so that fits the bill as well.
Is this kind of along the way of how others have worked a deep freeze for additional fridge space? If someone has experience doing the above is a little pancake fan recommended for the inside to circulate air movement?Off Grid. Two systems: 1) 2925w panels, OB VFXR3648, FM80, FNDC, Victron BMV-712, Mate3s, 240 xformer, four SimpliPHI 3.8; 2) 780w, Morningstar 30a, Grundfos switch, controller and AC/DC pump, 8 T105. Honda EU7000is w/AGS. Champion 3100. HF 4550, Miller Bobcat. -
I see these all the time at depot and costco. Change your search wording. Freezerless refrigerators
If someone asks me about this for offgrid I tell them they need more solar, battery or a closed loop charge to get it done 40% faster.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Frigidaire-33-in-20-cu-ft-Freezerless-Refrigerator-in-White-with-Temperature-Alarm-and-Auto-Close-Door-FRAE2024AW/325646357
Good Luck!
"we go where power lines don't" Sierra Nevada mountain area
htps://offgridsolar1.com/
E-mail offgridsolar@sti.net -
Thanks Dave. Just what the Dr ordered to keep the beer, veggies and leftovers cold.Off Grid. Two systems: 1) 2925w panels, OB VFXR3648, FM80, FNDC, Victron BMV-712, Mate3s, 240 xformer, four SimpliPHI 3.8; 2) 780w, Morningstar 30a, Grundfos switch, controller and AC/DC pump, 8 T105. Honda EU7000is w/AGS. Champion 3100. HF 4550, Miller Bobcat.
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Sam's has a Haeir 9.8 cu ft fridge or freezer at 80 off. About 275 kWh. Going to try it.
They had a much smaller unit for about 1/2 price but about same energy usage. A cheap energy hog.
Real small fridges are usually cheaply made and energy hogs considering size.First Bank:16 180 watt Grape Solar with FM80 controller and 3648 Inverter....Fullriver 8D AGM solar batteries. Second Bank/MacGyver Special: 10 165(?) watt BP Solar with Renogy MPPT 40A controller/ and Xantrex C-35 PWM controller/ and Morningstar PWM controller...Cotek 24V PSW inverter....forklift and diesel locomotive batteries -
Hit the “+” sign in the lower right to start a new discussion. Works with my iPhone. Best of luck🙂Off-Grid in Terlingua, TX
5,000 watt array - 14 CS 370 watt modules. HZLA horizontal tracker. Schneider: XW6048NA+, Mini PDP, MPPT 80-600, SCP. 390ah LiFeP04 battery bank - 3 Discover AES 42-48-6650 48 volt 130ah LiFePO4 batteries -
Also works with my Android phone...
-BillNear San Francisco California: 3.5kWatt Grid Tied Solar power system+small backup genset -
Correction. It consumes 327 kWh. Still pretty decent for an economical 9.8 cu. ft. unit.First Bank:16 180 watt Grape Solar with FM80 controller and 3648 Inverter....Fullriver 8D AGM solar batteries. Second Bank/MacGyver Special: 10 165(?) watt BP Solar with Renogy MPPT 40A controller/ and Xantrex C-35 PWM controller/ and Morningstar PWM controller...Cotek 24V PSW inverter....forklift and diesel locomotive batteries
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Dave Angelini said:I see these all the time at depot and costco. Change your search wording. Freezerless refrigerators
If someone asks me about this for offgrid I tell them they need more solar, battery or a closed loop charge to get it done 40% faster.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Frigidaire-33-in-20-cu-ft-Freezerless-Refrigerator-in-White-with-Temperature-Alarm-and-Auto-Close-Door-FRAE2024AW/325646357
Good Luck!Off Grid. Two systems: 1) 2925w panels, OB VFXR3648, FM80, FNDC, Victron BMV-712, Mate3s, 240 xformer, four SimpliPHI 3.8; 2) 780w, Morningstar 30a, Grundfos switch, controller and AC/DC pump, 8 T105. Honda EU7000is w/AGS. Champion 3100. HF 4550, Miller Bobcat. -
I got the largest Samsung at 75% off last year. As memory serves I had to remove a 36” door and wriggle it in and still scuffed it. Probably not a great deal after all but who could resist 75% off on a new unit?First Bank:16 180 watt Grape Solar with FM80 controller and 3648 Inverter....Fullriver 8D AGM solar batteries. Second Bank/MacGyver Special: 10 165(?) watt BP Solar with Renogy MPPT 40A controller/ and Xantrex C-35 PWM controller/ and Morningstar PWM controller...Cotek 24V PSW inverter....forklift and diesel locomotive batteries
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Dave Angelini said:
If someone asks me about this for offgrid I tell them they need more solar, battery or a closed loop charge to get it done 40% faster.Off Grid. Two systems: 1) 2925w panels, OB VFXR3648, FM80, FNDC, Victron BMV-712, Mate3s, 240 xformer, four SimpliPHI 3.8; 2) 780w, Morningstar 30a, Grundfos switch, controller and AC/DC pump, 8 T105. Honda EU7000is w/AGS. Champion 3100. HF 4550, Miller Bobcat. -
You are adding more refrigeration load to a winter sun challenged system, right?
The fix, to me, is either more battery, more solar, faster charging, or a combination. FRIDAY ! Soon !"we go where power lines don't" Sierra Nevada mountain area
htps://offgridsolar1.com/
E-mail offgridsolar@sti.net -
Dave Angelini said:You are adding more refrigeration load to a winter sun challenged system, right?
The fix, to me, is either more battery, more solar, faster charging, or a combination. FRIDAY ! Soon !
This is where the 48vdc blocks really shine out, to me. With lead the only way I could've expanded without parallel strings would've been to go to 2vdc blocks. And then I'd still have the original problem of neither loading or charging them to 'keep the juices' stirred up which was a major longevity problem for me over the years with lead. With the four blocks I could and have skipped a day running the generator.
So, yes, you are spot on! LP04 blocks at the system's nominal voltage are absolutely a game changer for our purposes.Off Grid. Two systems: 1) 2925w panels, OB VFXR3648, FM80, FNDC, Victron BMV-712, Mate3s, 240 xformer, four SimpliPHI 3.8; 2) 780w, Morningstar 30a, Grundfos switch, controller and AC/DC pump, 8 T105. Honda EU7000is w/AGS. Champion 3100. HF 4550, Miller Bobcat. -
Just be careful with planning! Adding batteries can be an issue with firmware, matching cables exactly/ bussbar upgrades, or just the same thing with lead acid, different age batteries not playing well together. There is a time where you trade out an old battery system for new. I have seen this several times already. The loads always seem to go up, do they not?"we go where power lines don't" Sierra Nevada mountain area
htps://offgridsolar1.com/
E-mail offgridsolar@sti.net -
Due to troubling times in the kingdom I continue to prepare for more challenging times. Canned food may last for decades but most of it is neither tasty or particularly healthy. Frozen food is often both healthy and delicious. Easy to run freezers though hot summers may present a challenge.Last summer was our hottest on record. The largest freezer was usually running. You know how long it takes to empty a huge freezer?I already have the panels, roof space, and panel racks. So why not?Space that is cold in the winter tends to be hot in the summer.First Bank:16 180 watt Grape Solar with FM80 controller and 3648 Inverter....Fullriver 8D AGM solar batteries. Second Bank/MacGyver Special: 10 165(?) watt BP Solar with Renogy MPPT 40A controller/ and Xantrex C-35 PWM controller/ and Morningstar PWM controller...Cotek 24V PSW inverter....forklift and diesel locomotive batteries
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softdown said:Due to troubling times in the kingdom I continue to prepare for more challenging times. Canned food may last for decades but most of it is neither tasty or particularly healthy. Frozen food is often both healthy and delicious. Easy to run freezers though hot summers may present a challenge.Last summer was our hottest on record. The largest freezer was usually running. You know how long it takes to empty a huge freezer?I already have the panels, roof space, and panel racks. So why not?Space that is cold in the winter tends to be hot in the summer.My wife and I like to eat a lot of fresh fruits and vegetables plus frozen meats and vegetables bought in bulk. Freeze-dried foods for long term are great, but cost too much.For emergency planning, I'm big on bulk dry goods sealed in mylar bags with O2 absorbers, then nested in 5 gallon buckets. We store a wide variety of beans, rice, grains and powdered products. Canned goods that we are buying today, have "best by" dates 5 years from now. Ideal? No way, but it's a really cheap way to have a 1-2 year "insurance policy" food supply.Having enough Pv to support a freezer(s) is a must, but an EMP or Carrington-type event could quickly render the system non-functional. Again, dry goods are cheap insurance.The biggest problem for most people will be water.I always have more questions than answers. That's the nature of life.
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Critical nature of water is why I have a back up water pump wrapped in aluminum foil. The only item I went to those measures with.Canned food last for decades but the ingredients will eventually separate and lose some visual appeal.Now we have to boycott Tyson Foods for kneeling to Schwabs bug eating dictate. Bye, bye chicken. Hello hamburger.First Bank:16 180 watt Grape Solar with FM80 controller and 3648 Inverter....Fullriver 8D AGM solar batteries. Second Bank/MacGyver Special: 10 165(?) watt BP Solar with Renogy MPPT 40A controller/ and Xantrex C-35 PWM controller/ and Morningstar PWM controller...Cotek 24V PSW inverter....forklift and diesel locomotive batteries
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About 5 years ago I took an energy star rated upright freezer and using an Inkbird thermostat converted it into something to hold root crops like potatoes and onions for 6 months. I wanted an upright freezer to make it easier to find things but using an upright means you lose some storage capacity and efficiency. Since we only open the unit a few times a week the loss inefficiency was minimal.
After researching the correct humidity for various items including celery and cabbage which the unit was not bought for while the higher humidity of about 75-80% worked great for greens the potatoes and onions did much better at a lower humidity like 45-50% humidity. The charts generally recommended a higher humidity for the root crops but they do better in a lower humidity.
Since it's an upright freezer I put water in the lowest drawer to add humidity back when I was trying for 80% humidity.
When preparing to drill a hole through the side for the Inkbird thermostat I discovered that the unit had cooling lines running through the sides by using a $25 temperature sensing "gun". Glad i did because otherwise I may have drilled through a refrigerant line.
just my 2 centsConext XW6848 with PDP, SCP, 80/600 controller, 60/150 controller and Conext battery monitor
21 SW280 panels on Schletter ground mount
48v Rolls 6CS 27P
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Our new porch fridge:
I couldn't happier. The unit uses trivial power.
Anyone want eggs? Those goose eggs are lucious.Off Grid. Two systems: 1) 2925w panels, OB VFXR3648, FM80, FNDC, Victron BMV-712, Mate3s, 240 xformer, four SimpliPHI 3.8; 2) 780w, Morningstar 30a, Grundfos switch, controller and AC/DC pump, 8 T105. Honda EU7000is w/AGS. Champion 3100. HF 4550, Miller Bobcat. -
I love eggs the superfood. Have yet to see another regular poster within 200 miles.First Bank:16 180 watt Grape Solar with FM80 controller and 3648 Inverter....Fullriver 8D AGM solar batteries. Second Bank/MacGyver Special: 10 165(?) watt BP Solar with Renogy MPPT 40A controller/ and Xantrex C-35 PWM controller/ and Morningstar PWM controller...Cotek 24V PSW inverter....forklift and diesel locomotive batteries
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A chest holds maybe 4 times more food though. Mostly air space with an upright.First Bank:16 180 watt Grape Solar with FM80 controller and 3648 Inverter....Fullriver 8D AGM solar batteries. Second Bank/MacGyver Special: 10 165(?) watt BP Solar with Renogy MPPT 40A controller/ and Xantrex C-35 PWM controller/ and Morningstar PWM controller...Cotek 24V PSW inverter....forklift and diesel locomotive batteries
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The only thing with the new outdoor fridge is it gets a bit confused with a 32f morning. I have it ready to go with the thermostatic switch (Inkbird) for the winter heater and its LED temp display is handy. Even though it is advertised as 'garage ready', like garages don't get cold, when the outside temp gets below the mid 30's the unit's internal temp gets a little wonky. In short order that won't be a problem until well into next fall.
Anyway, this is a good thread. A lot of good input!Off Grid. Two systems: 1) 2925w panels, OB VFXR3648, FM80, FNDC, Victron BMV-712, Mate3s, 240 xformer, four SimpliPHI 3.8; 2) 780w, Morningstar 30a, Grundfos switch, controller and AC/DC pump, 8 T105. Honda EU7000is w/AGS. Champion 3100. HF 4550, Miller Bobcat. -
What happens is that the fridge figures it's cold enough inside so goes into standby mode. In the meantime, the freezer section gets warm enough that stuff in there thaws out.
Ask me how I know this...Island cottage solar system with 2500 watts of panels, 1kw facing southeast 1.3kw facing southwest 170watt ancient Arco's facing south. All panels in parallel for a 24 volt system. Trace DR1524 MSW inverter, Outback Flexmax 80 MPPT charge controller 8 Trojan L16's. Insignia 11.5 cubic foot electric fridge. My 30th year. -
706jim said:What happens is that the fridge figures it's cold enough inside so goes into standby mode. In the meantime, the freezer section gets warm enough that stuff in there thaws out.
I think it could also be from the unit's controller programming in that there will be cycles for circulation and excess moisture removal. But I'm just guessing. I've had the Inkbird's error tone go off several times in the morning and the internal temp at 29.5 but it's not in that range long enough for anything to freeze. Sure keeps the beer and pop nice and refreshingOff Grid. Two systems: 1) 2925w panels, OB VFXR3648, FM80, FNDC, Victron BMV-712, Mate3s, 240 xformer, four SimpliPHI 3.8; 2) 780w, Morningstar 30a, Grundfos switch, controller and AC/DC pump, 8 T105. Honda EU7000is w/AGS. Champion 3100. HF 4550, Miller Bobcat.
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