Fridge and freezers below freezing

JRHill
JRHill Registered Users Posts: 454 ✭✭✭✭
in In the Weeds--Member's Choice #1
I have a heat source in each refrigerator with a separate thermostat to keep things from freezing. But both refrigerators and both chest deep freezers get wonky when the temps get below freezing. All are energy star and in good condition. I know they are intended to run in a conditioned place. So is there a solution to keep the units at a reliable temp?
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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  • Wheelman55
    Wheelman55 Registered Users Posts: 252 ✭✭✭
    #2
    Maybe try a garage ready freezer?  We use one in Terlingua where the issue is heat. 

    https://www.maytag.com/blog/kitchen/what-is-a-garage-ready-freezer.html

    Here’s an article on garage ready fridges that mentions kits that can be added to an existing fridge. 

    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
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  • JRHill
    JRHill Registered Users Posts: 454 ✭✭✭✭
    #3
    Context: we are off grid full time. Remote, 15 years. We get to town once most weeks in good weather. In not so good weather it has been two months.

    We have the standard upper freezer/fridge in the kitchen (Samsung) and two chest freezers on the main floor (Maytag). All that stuff is fine. We don't need more freezer space but are always hunting for fridge space. We have a small beverage fridge for the porch but that thing used a lot of power. We've had a few hand me down fridges, likewise power hogs. So a year ago I did a deep dive and found a large garage ready Samsung (fridge only). It took some looking but they are out there. The unit is impressively efficient but the temps are wonky season to season. I already had an Inkbird thermostat/relay to use in the depth of winter with a 20w ceramic heater on an aluminum plate. But the temps in the fridge are wild in transitory weather. The heat setup keeps from freezing but the fridge gets confused.

    Needless to say, in the winter with virtually no sun, I don't want fridge to be unreliable. The inkbird setup is as simple as can be and works great. It's the fridge that gets confused. As time goes on we don't WANT to go to town to do it on schedule (sigh) or not at all (gladly). "Are you entertained?" is a classic line. We are not entertained on city trips.
    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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