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+--- Thread: off grid, what kind of fridge do you have? (/showthread.php?tid=14433)
off grid, what kind of fridge do you have? - mmbvd7 - 09-06-2014
I'm curious to what kind of fridge do people own/operate when living off grid. I have heard so many things that I am confused and appreciate finding out more information.
I've heard some people use the small dorm fridges. I have heard some people say they have normal sized fridges. I've heard that if you find one that runs on 1KW per day, then that is a good one. I've also heard if you like one that uses more "juice" then go for it and just have an extra panel or two in place.
Mahalo for information and experience in this regard...would rather move what is paid off and will work rather than have to shell out more money.
Best wishes
RE: off grid, what kind of fridge do you have? - Cagary - 09-06-2014
Just about every frig is Energy Star rated these days. The latest energy efficient rating uses "Tiers" with Tier lll being the best.
HD has a normal size frig (19 cu. ft.) Tier lll frig for around $800.
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Whirlpool-18-9-cu-ft-Top-Freezer-Refrigerator-in-Mono-Satina-Steel-WRT359SFYF/203584437?N=5yc1vZc3piZ1z0y90h
A lot depends on how sure you are that your stay on the Big Island will be a long one. Your old one is paid off like you said, but its probably going to be burning through a lot of electricity compared to a Tier lll type. On the other hand $800 is a lot of money and you'll probably want to buy the extending warranty with the humid climate here. So with tax you might be looking at almost $1000.
-Veritas odium parit”(Terence 195–159 BC))-"Truth begets hatred".
RE: off grid, what kind of fridge do you have? - kander - 09-06-2014
A double door, Class III LG with Ice maker. Pulls about .8Kwh per day on my solar setup. Of course mileage may vary depending on how often the door is opened and how long someone stands in front of it wondering if there's something they want to eat.
RE: off grid, what kind of fridge do you have? - cinnaminnacat - 09-06-2014
Rv refrigerators work very well. Will run on either propane or DC current, virtually silent operation and rapid cooling. They are compact in size, but they will handle heavy useage nicely. Rather expensive upfront purchase, but might be worth it.
RE: off grid, what kind of fridge do you have? - leilaniguy - 09-06-2014
I've got a friend in Blacksands, and his neighbor across the road who both have 12v freezers, his runs off his array and the neighbor lady has hers direct-wired to a solar panel.
RE: off grid, what kind of fridge do you have? - MarkP - 09-06-2014
I have a small conventional refrigerator that runs on 120 volts ac. I have not measured it but the yellow tag suggested about .65 kwh per day. I have read of full size reefers that use only a little more. I would stay away from "small" refrigerators. The little cubes for dorm rooms actually use more than the full size units sometimes because they are built so cheaply and college kids don't care about efficiency. I should really have shopped harder for a larger fridge but this one was really inexpensive at home depot, as in about $175.
One good place to research this kind of thing is the Northern Arizona Wind and Sun Forum. Some of those guys actually did experiments.
RE: off grid, what kind of fridge do you have? - bluesboy - 09-08-2014
Sunfrost RF12
RE: off grid, what kind of fridge do you have? - mmbvd7 - 09-10-2014
Thank you everyone...
Took trip to Lowe's & Home Depot where we live
Surprisingly, the large fridge we have is relatively efficient compared to various others available!
So, for the little bit of difference between purchasing a Tier III type and what we have, is paid off, and I really like, will go ahead and transport...may just add two extra panels for the solar array (more than enough to cover the difference).
Mahalo!
Best wishes
RE: off grid, what kind of fridge do you have? - tada - 09-12-2014
HD had online sale for Whynter 65 qt chest freezer for $476. Which looks expensive but the cheapest ac/dc I could find. Not only that but they charged me $518 because they added excise tax. First time I paid state tax for online purchase. Previously I was quoted $880 for 1.7 cu ft Sundanzer chest freezer at Interisland Solar which is pretty competitive price if you check online. I was going connect to a solar panel so it would automatically turn off in the dusk and turng back at dawn. But the solar panel fell thru. So plugging in to Heco. So working good since I got it the last 3 months.
Also ac/dc units use unit of volume other than cubic ft since they so small. So I was trying to calculate vol equivalents-
8 cu ft= 225 liter
30 qt = 1 cu ft
40 qt = 45 coke or beer cans
RE: off grid, what kind of fridge do you have? - bananahead - 09-16-2014
mine is a Servel, it was $1,900
it runs on propane, or can be plugged into electricity if needed
about $1 a day right now, but has been cheaper when I had less people opening it and the propane was slightly cheaper
PS. it looks like a $400 normal white fridge, ...the propane fridges are pricey!
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save our indigenous and endemic Hawaiian Plants... learn about them, grow them, and plant them on your property, ....instead of all that invasive non-native garbage I see in most yards... aloha