I have a decent sized ice box, aproximately 24"W x 30"L x 30"D. My question is would it be possible to buy a cheapo small bar refrigerator and install the guts in the icebox for use when connected to shore power? Has anyone tried this?
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It has been done!
Nelly: It has been done and many owners are quite happy with the results. Just remember there is no practical way to use this away from 120VAC shore power!
Nelly: It has been done and many owners are quite happy with the results. Just remember there is no practical way to use this away from 120VAC shore power!
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Barry
Do It!
Check the link below to a picture article I posted here a few years ago. Total refigeration costs were about fifty bucks but I added an expensive marine inverter and extra batteries for offshore use. I've done others with inverters from Harbor Frieght that cost under $100. Paid for itself several times just in ice savings plus ...... I can make jello shots in any anchorage! (if the link doesn't work, search the archives using h34 and refigeration. Have fun!
Check the link below to a picture article I posted here a few years ago. Total refigeration costs were about fifty bucks but I added an expensive marine inverter and extra batteries for offshore use. I've done others with inverters from Harbor Frieght that cost under $100. Paid for itself several times just in ice savings plus ...... I can make jello shots in any anchorage! (if the link doesn't work, search the archives using h34 and refigeration. Have fun!
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Ron
Me Too Also!
I also use the guts from a small 120V refrigerator with no complaints. In fact, the first time I used it I awoke in the morning to find everything frozen solid. No syrup on the hotcakes that morning. Mine had R-12 in it so I replaced it with R-414B after installation. Much colder and a WHOLE lot cheaper, too! Most likey you'll want to get one that uses R-134 so you can buy more refrigerant after you resoldier the lines. I'm an AC Tech so that's why I went for the more exotic refrigerant. Ron
I also use the guts from a small 120V refrigerator with no complaints. In fact, the first time I used it I awoke in the morning to find everything frozen solid. No syrup on the hotcakes that morning. Mine had R-12 in it so I replaced it with R-414B after installation. Much colder and a WHOLE lot cheaper, too! Most likey you'll want to get one that uses R-134 so you can buy more refrigerant after you resoldier the lines. I'm an AC Tech so that's why I went for the more exotic refrigerant. Ron
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Ed Schenck
Dorm frig.
We have a 110V dorm frig where the oven once lived. It draws about 9 amps(DC) when running, runs about 20 minutes an hour. Not sure if surrounding it with insulation would make a difference. Whadda ya' think Ron? A fellow came on a new Hunter at the show and saw the new front opening Nova Kool refrig. He went on and on about the inefficiency of a front opener, all the cold dumping out, etc. But these new Nova Kools are rated at 20 watt-hours. This is less than 2 amp-hours if I understand this. Seems efficient so long as you are not constantly opening it. A 3.5 cu. ft. Nova Cool is $700.
We have a 110V dorm frig where the oven once lived. It draws about 9 amps(DC) when running, runs about 20 minutes an hour. Not sure if surrounding it with insulation would make a difference. Whadda ya' think Ron? A fellow came on a new Hunter at the show and saw the new front opening Nova Kool refrig. He went on and on about the inefficiency of a front opener, all the cold dumping out, etc. But these new Nova Kools are rated at 20 watt-hours. This is less than 2 amp-hours if I understand this. Seems efficient so long as you are not constantly opening it. A 3.5 cu. ft. Nova Cool is $700.
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Barry
Soldier the line?
I removed the guts from the fridge without breaking the lines and cut a hole in the ice box big enough for the evaporator to pas through. Still using the original R12. Ain't broke, why fix it? I believe this installation is more efficient that the original fridge due to top opening and better insulation (it runs less)
I removed the guts from the fridge without breaking the lines and cut a hole in the ice box big enough for the evaporator to pas through. Still using the original R12. Ain't broke, why fix it? I believe this installation is more efficient that the original fridge due to top opening and better insulation (it runs less)
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Bob Camarena
I guess I'll have to do it this year
I've read and re-read Barry's article for a couple of years now while my unused dorm refrigerator sits in the garage. I'm going to definitely do it this year. Barry, I was wondering what kind of power consumption you experienced with the "cheapo" inverters. I have an 800w/7a (1600w surge) Coleman inverter that I got on sale at Kragen. Bob
I've read and re-read Barry's article for a couple of years now while my unused dorm refrigerator sits in the garage. I'm going to definitely do it this year. Barry, I was wondering what kind of power consumption you experienced with the "cheapo" inverters. I have an 800w/7a (1600w surge) Coleman inverter that I got on sale at Kragen. Bob
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