Make ice in 110v mini freezer?

[John61CT]

And fridge/freezers are way less efficient being allowed to shut down to ambient temps then started up from scratch.

Get an efficient unit that is designed for the capacity you need and then put in the power system required to run it 24x7 in worst-case conditions.

Timing your ice making for when solar output is high will then help incrementally, but you need a solid setup to start with.

 

[sparkett788]

I have owned one of these. For what you want I seriously do NOT believe it will work. In a small lunchbox type igloo cooler (say, two 6-packs of cans)...the ice would barely last for a good days picnic or hike.
   However, the ice maker is awesome!! I stay in (cheap) RV parks so I have electric. I bought one and it lasted about 3.5 years--died this last winter. It will make enough ice for a drink in half an hour. The ice is soft--like the crushed kind in a convenience store. Except it's shaped like little "bullets" with a hole in the middle. It doesn't keep ice frozen--just makes until the little tray that holds about two cups is full. This tray has a slotted bottom, and the ice (if left) will melt back down into the holding tank. I left mine on ALL the time and it made ice day and night. Did take a bit to get used to the sound at night. They are a bit large too--the size of a large breadbox. Sorry young'uns...best I can do. LOL! AND HEAVY. However I didn't need to take up cooler space for drinks, water, etc. Mine's only been gone for 4 months and already I notice I don't drink enough liquids.
    You could make enough ice for a small round of drinks in a hour or two. For 1-3 people it would be enough. Great if you are an "ice chewer"...very soft on teeth!

 

[Watch_Cowspiracy]

I prefer warm beverages as they hydrate better than cold ones. I want the ice to keep leafy vegetables fresh.

 

[John61CT]

Just save your pennies for a proper efficient 12V compressor fridge capable of running as a freezer.

Then experiment with freezer packs or polar tubes and a super-insulated cooler if that's not enough capacity for you by itself.

Will need more solar and bank to keep up though.

 

[Snikwahjm]

12 volt freezer. Freeze ice in 2 or 3 containers. Alternate or rotate the containers every day into the cooler and back into the freezer before it is totally thawed.

 

[Technomad]

My plan is to have a compressor freezer AND a counter top ice maker.

When I have a surplus of power, run the ice maker and put the ice in the freezer. Then I have ice for my drinks. Really love ice cold drinks and my RCTIC tumbler keeps ice cold for about 12 hours.

What’s the best way to store ice in a feeezer? Should I put it in ziplock bags?


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[John61CT]

Any clean bag thick enough to take some banging to break up the "wet ice" freezing together into a block.

I would suggest simply making your ice in the freezer, use those vertical trays.

If you do shop for a dedicated portable countertop icemaker,

ignore the "pounds per hour" spec, and focus on the "pounds stored one"

note you need to be standing by to collect it each time a little batch drops, in the heat will melt again very quickly. A small handful at a time. . .

$80-120 is the going rate on eBay

 

[Technomad]

Good points. I think I’ll stick with trays, or bags of ice which seem to go for $1-2 here for awhile. Sounds like the countertop units aren’t that great.


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[John61CT]

They're fine for their intended use, keeping up with a couple people at cocktail hour.

For producing ice in bulk for keeping coolers chilled 24x7, not so much, and would certainly require a lot of babysitting.

IMO pretty much a waste of limited space if you already have an efficient freezer.

 

[Weight]

I quit less than 1/2 way through. water freezes below 32F. So there you have ice. But ice can be a lot colder than that. The colder the ice the longer it cools your stuff. How cold does your freezer get your ice? My 12 volt Indel-B is always cooling my stuff.

 

[John61CT]

Mixed with salt (as in seawater) stores a lot more "coolth energy", google polar tubes.

Even the most efficient unit uses a ** lot** more power in freezer mode, like at least double, geometric curve as you go colder.