Refrigeration for the DIY'er

[Willy]

DIY fridge

 

[Lucky mike]

for a 100 bucks more you could buy an Engel Ref/Freezer complete that is portable.

 

[Willy]

Yup, you could, but some people would like a built-in unit and one that has a much larger capacity/better insulation than what's available at a reasonable price. This unit can cool/freeze up to 100 qt, possibly more, whereas a 80 qt Engel (Engel MT80) would cost abt $1635 80 qt Engel . That's a significant price difference.. for less capacity. ..Willy.

 

[Lucky mike]

that unit could "Cool" 100qt at optimum performance.....good luck , I spent 30 yrs of my life in Refrigeration domestic and industrial .....Im not a know it all...but everything I've learned in those years..............not cost effective....not possible long term without burnout or severe carbon build up....also it was tested under ambient temps at 70* degrees.....the chill plate evaporator would have to be at the top of the box with a powered airflow and air channels to even come close to hold at 40.....food spoilage starts at 42.....

Check my facts and get a chart for this unit....it is gassed with 134A.....you will see
modify it with 414b and it would work better but still custom or not it would not be cost effective....you would lose money before you turned it on

 

[Willy]

Well, I suppose a lot depends on how well the unit is insulated. With my CF-50 (50 qt) I had no problems keeping the interior temps at sub-freezing (had it around -6 C) at 30-40 deg C. It wasn't constantly on and I'd added extra insulation to the exterior. I've had that unit for near a decade now, and in constant use.
As an aside.. where would the carbon buildup occur? ..Willy.

 

[Lucky mike]

Carbon buildup occurs in the Compressor and filter dryer......As the refrigerant is superheated and overworked across the piston & reed valves......if its a rotary compressor it will sustain complete failure

your CF-50 was built by Dometic using a different cooling system than you just suggested...it was also factory built and tested.......custom refrigeration is its own animal and takes several measurements and variables that the average layman does not have the tools or the knowledge to preform. most would also use improper materials and short cuts hoping for the best

that was my biggest reason for saying something....We all know the sales specs never meet the actual use test or even come close........if they did my RV would get 26 miles to the gallon rather than 12

 

[Willy]

So, do you figure that the Danfoss compressor would be a superior unit, when it comes to 'heavy duty' cooling, vs. the Engel swing compressor? ..Willy. BTW.. I can get wayyyyy more than 26 mpg out of an RV.. downhill. Even better if there's a tailwind.

 

[Lucky mike]

if you can figure out a way to make a Copeland compressor work in a mobile setting that would be the choice....

Danfoss is a china disposable compressor....so are the Engles, If your using the system for basic off grid usage you do not want a compressor involved.....Hence the reason almost all off grids are absorption systems using ammonia or sulphate di-oxide type agents

 

[Willy]

My CF-50 has the 'old style' made in Germany Danfoss compressor, which is one reason why I ain't selling it; heard they're better than the Chinese ones. ..Willy.

 

[Lucky mike]

that would be the one I would keep..............like I said , the new ones are disposable....they just carry the brand name.

 

[SternWake]

Kinda bummed to hear this about the Newer Danfosses.
I knew My fridge had a Secop, made in China, formerly Danfoss compressor. I was hoping they did not cut too many corners but those days are likely long gone, in the name of Maximum profit at all costs.

So far its performance has been impressive especially compared to my Failed Norcold and the SawaFuji compressor which was annoyingly loud and would vibrate the whole van, before I practically levitated the dang thing in foam rubber. My previous Norcold failed at about the 5 year mark running 11 months a year.

I've added insulation and improved ventilation inside and across condenser and the battery amp draw is not even a factor, with 200 watts of solar on the roof. I average under 16 A/h per 24 hours for it, and this time of year my solar averages high 50 A/h return daily. The Norcold used about 15% battery more to hold warmer interior temps

I don't think here are better options for premade 12v fridges and a dorm fridge running on an inverter can't compete in the amp draw arena.

My Vitrifrigo C51is will be 2 years old in October.

 

[akrvbob]

I have a Whytner 65 quart ($500) that I'm extremely happy with. But it is oly 6 months old so too early to tell. I have a Waeco/Dometic that is 4 years old and still runs perfectly. But in every way the Whynter is a superior product. Compared to it the Waeco/Domtic looks like cheap Chinese junk.
Bob

 

[VanLifeCrisis]

So, do you figure that the Danfoss compressor would be a superior unit, when it comes to 'heavy duty' cooling, vs. the Engel swing compressor? ..Willy. BTW.. I can get wayyyyy more than 26 mpg out of an RV.. downhill. Even better if there's a tailwind.

I could in my van easy




..if i dropped my van out of a plane maybe ;D