I think I am in love with a mini fridge.

[jimindenver]

Ok maybe that is a bit extreme but I have been researching mini fridges for a while and think I have found the one for us. It has to be a balance of size, cost and energy usage. On the top bunk I am limited to 24 inches in height and that doesn't get you much storage. Add in that the smaller cube mini fridges all seem to be 1.3a draw, higher than many larger than there are pull.

When it comes to draw I have found that most run in the .8a to 1.3a range. I did see a 10 ft that drew 1.86a, only interesting due to the cubes taking nearly as much.

So I believe that this is my choice. The Edgestar two door 3.1 energy star rated mini fridge that pulls .64a at 120Vac or 80w. 

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00OBWEGQC?psc=1

For three times the capacity, it pulls half of what a cube does. It has a freezer that can hold more than a ice tray and we need that because fresh food doesn't last as long as we stay out.

So now that I know the model, I can start looking for it on the cheap. I'll keep looking at others but .67a is pretty hard to beat from what I am seeing. Should the big fridge go out I like the Grape solar 5 ft with a DC compressor. Novakools are nice but cost twice as much.

 

[SternWake]

I am interested to hear how much Noise it makes, how often the compressor runs, and if the claimed amp draw is accurate.

I know you have a Solar surplus, but those without should save a bit longer for a 12v compressor unit

 

[highdesertranger]

my experience with the 120v mini refers is they draw way more then what claim. however I assumed this was due to the environment I was trying to use it in. these are made to be used inside a house or apartment where the environment is basically controlled. so for Jim they might work because he has AC. highdesertranger

 

[Sabatical]

We bought the Grape Solar 5cf fridge for our tiny house. I was switching the door hinging this morning and had a question. They answered on the first ring, spoke english, and were friendly and helpful. I'm hoping it performs as well as thier customer support!

 

[jimindenver]

It's not the toaster I worry about, the little A/C has had the bright lights until now and has become spoiled with the attention. lol

Now nothing is set in stone until you hear the screech of my wallet opening, it took a year to pick out and find the little A/C. When I do I will report back on DB's and draw. (I'll keep watching for a 12v fridge until then)

What will be nice is the ability to let it run all season and not have to wait for the propane fridge to be level and cool down. On shorter trip we may just use the mini and save the propane. Our propane usage quadrupled when the solar allowed us to set the stat at a comfy level, that's why we use the solar to cook, make coffee, heat water and now run the fridge.

 

[jimindenver]

Still doing the search thing for the mini fridge. We were given a RCA unit that wasn't too bad power wise. It was listed as .8a and that's what it showed on the killawatt. I ran it a while on the batteries and solar, it did fine. Then we gave it to my MIL. It draws more and has a smaller freezer than the two door.

What is interesting is I was researching the Edgestart chest units and I believe I know why the draw of the mini two door is so low. I think it uses the same compressor as the chest units do. The mini is rated at .64a on 120v and the chest units range from .65a to 1a. In fact I wouldn't be surprised to open up the mini and find a power supply pushing 12 or 24v to the fridge.

None of the other minis run that low, they start at .8a and most are 1.5a. I think Edgestar uses that compressor only because they build the chest units.

This is just a observation about the mini and Edgestar chest units. I would have just assumed the chest units had less draw but realize now that there is no savings for spending much more money on them. Spend more money on a Engel and you do save power.

 

[bcbullet]

Like Sternwake said, if that puppy runs 24/7 vs very intermittently like the 12v fridges, it will be a hog. The other thing is that for any built in use there will need to be heaps of clearance as the condenser coil is integral in the shell. This also eliminates the ability to add additional insulation around the jacket of the unit.

 

[jimindenver]

Like any compressor fridge, it cycles. I already have a absorption fridge that pulls 8 amps at 12v constantly, it's good for car rides and keeping lunches cool while on 120v.

I'll have to look into where the condenser is. We don't let the trailer get too hot while in use. I have seen how added insulation can help some, just not sure it would be worth it here.

I'm still watching for a decent 12v unit but spring is coming.

 

[BradKW]

Take a look at this...meets your dimensional reqs I think, plus it has a separate condensor/compressor that really opens up the options for added insulation and ventilation... http://www.vfamerica.com/eng/c42l-technical-data.html

 

[jimindenver]

A built in, not bad. It would be nice to get the compressor noise and heat out of the cabin. Eventually I plan on replacing the propane fridge with a 12v but not until it fails. I like the redundancy of the propane fridge, just not anything else about it like iffy temps and long recovery times. Put a 6 pack in that mini fridge we were given and it was wicked cold in no time.

 

[BradKW]

I came across this page on the Vitrifrigo site that lists "cooling units" sold separately. http://www.vfamerica.com/eng/coolingunits.html

I thought it interesting, but not sure I understand what application they are being sold for. Is it for people who want to build their own insulated "box"? or for replacements? Wonder if something like that would be adaptable to say, for example, convert a dying propane 'fridge into a 12v one? The literature states that the units come pre-charged which makes me wonder how you'd even install it without a discharge...

 

[jimindenver]

It likely has quick connects that snap into place once installed. As a young man I would have loved the build. As a old man I am not quite as enthusiastic.

When the propane fridge comes out, a bigger two door will go in. I'll lose my TV shelf and the need of the second fridge. I won't miss firing the fridge up in the storage lot and fretting about what would happen if my trailer took out the whole row. Waiting for it to cool down, worrying that it is over loaded, unlevel or the sensor is out of place. Come to think of it, if I were not so cheap I'd do it now. lol

 

[SoulRaven]

DIY fridge workings are fairly common in the marine world do to the need to turn unusually shaped areas into fridges or freezers.

 

[SternWake]

DIY fridge workings are fairly common in the marine world do to the need to turn unusually shaped areas into fridges or freezers.

Good Info source here:

http://www.kollmann-marine.com/

It would be an awesome project making one's own super insulated fridge with the remote compressor/ condenser.