Small Freezer

[GrayWhale]

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Haier-1.3-Freezer-White/5733501

So I got this for $143 from Walmart to make ice. It fits three 2L bottles up top and about 5-6 Gatoraid type bottles. On max setting (7), it took over 6 hours to freeze the 2L soda bottles. On setting (3), overnight, as I didn't really watch it.

I haven't tried using it on battery power yet because I need to get a new battery first. It's pretty quiet. Still takes a long time to freeze a big bottle. This MaxCool cooler from Costco ($40) isn't that great. I don't think it can keep ice for 6 days like it claims. I thought that a solid 2L bottle of ice would last longer in it.

 

[Willy]

I might be wrong, but it most likely draws far more power than an equivalent size 12v compressor cooler/freezer. Wouldn't be surprised if it were something around 10 AH, maybe more; gotta factor in conversion losses w. the inverter 'n such. ..Willy.

 

[Von]

I'd love to know how much battery it uses once you get that hooked up. I planned on trying a larger freezer that has lower KW/Y on the EnergyGuide

 

[GrayWhale]

I'm pretty sure it's going to draw a lot more power than one of those $800 12v ones. Those 12 volts are amazing but just too expensive for me. Maybe freezing smaller bottles of water would be the better way to go.

 

[Willy]

You might wanna keep your eye on Cragslist. So far I've picked up an Engel MR040 for $500, a Waeco Cf-50 for $400, and a Waeco CR-50 for $220. Still have the Waeco, after nearly a decade, but using the Engel I just picked up.

The way I see it, they pay for themselves rather quickly vs buying ice or extra solar and, due to their longevity, it could end up costing mere cents a day. 'Course, if you don't have the bux, you don't, but it's worth springing for if you do. I tried the mini fridge/solar panels/inverter thing, at first, and gave it up as a PITA; too much spoiled food and dead batteries. ..Willy.

 

[Zil]

Assuming you have enough batteries, using smaller bottles would cut the time needed to freeze water solid.
You need to get more than one new battery.

 

[highdesertranger]

I agree with willy. I too tried a dorm fridge + inverter + batteries + solar. did not work, plain and simple. those draw way to much power especially when trying to boondock. the power ratings come from a lab, they are meant to be used in a dorm room or apartment, basically a controlled environment. not in the outback. just my 2 cents. another thing you should try since you already have the freezer. leave a frozen jug or 2 in the freezer, it should freeze the newly introduce jugs faster and use less energy doing it. highdesertranger

 

[66788]

I bought the ARB 12vdc/110vac 47 qt. refrigerator/freezer and it draws 2 amps or less when running. Since I'm using 2 Trojan 6v golf cart batteries, I have about 105 amps per night to use. Between the lights, CPAP machine, FanTastic vent and fridge, it should be plenty.

 

[Bdog1]

I'm watching C list for a used model. Which are the better brands? I see people saying the compressors are more efficient in some brands, but didn't make notes like I should have. There seem to be lots of EdgeStars around, some 40qt. Some 80. I have time on my side, really no rush.

 

[MrNoodly]

If you rotate bottles in and out, leaving some frozen ones in, the freezer needs to do less work (once the first bottles are frozen). The frozen bottles would help freeze the unfrozen one.

But what are you doing with the ice? Making a lot of daiquiris and margaritas?

 

[akrvbob]

Engle is the PREMIUM brand, but at premium prices.

I own a 4 year old Waeco/Dometic and it's a good fridge. I just bought a Whytner which so far I consider to be far, far superior to my Waeco/Dometic in every way. Only time will tell if it is realiable.

Edgestar is a cheaper Chinese brand and it appears to be identical to my Whynter so it's probably the same thing, mine is just rebranded.

Danfoss is a company that is famous for it's reliable compressors so many people prefer to buy fridges with them in it. My Dometic has a Danfoss compressor.
Bob

 

[Bdog1]

Thanks so much for the crash course! Yea, that's the brand compressor a friend had mentioned. Now I got to keep watch. So far Edgestar 40 for $250 and a larger 80 for $425 is what's around.

 

[GrayWhale]

I was freezing the water bottles to put into the MaxCool cooler, instead of buying ice. But this cooler doesn't seem to be very good. I'm going to do a test to see which will keep ice longer, the cooler or the freezer (off).

 

[MrNoodly]

I was freezing the water bottles to put into the MaxCool cooler, instead of buying ice...

What's the reason for not just going with a fridge? It would be running less than a freezer and you'd have only one boxy thing taking up space instead of two.

 

[Willy]

I picked up a Waeco CF-50 chest cooler (used) over a decade ago for $400 and still have it. Actually, i gave it to a friend of mine to use and now have an Engel MR040 that I picked up for $500 on Craigslist. The only thing that had gone wrong with the Waeco is the piggyback controller board went(after 9 yrs), so I easily wired in a standalone digital thermostat. Works great, and the control is now MUCH more precise. ..Willy.

 

[GrayWhale]

What's the reason for not just going with a fridge? It would be running less than a freezer and you'd have only one boxy thing taking up space instead of two.

I was comparing the watt ratings and thought I saw that the mini fridge uses the same wattage as a mini freezer, so I went with the freezer.

But the main intent was to freeze as many water bottles as possible at once and quickly, to put into the cooler (instead of buying ice). Then turn off the freezer as it takes too much juice to keep it going all the time on batteries. So it was more of an ice maker unless I have shore power. Now it seems like I'm going to need 2 batteries on their own to do this with the freezer, damn.

This guy seems to be running his refrigerator all the time on batteries, and it's a bigger one (3-4 cf). He has a generator, but it's mostly for his portable A/C unit.

 

[66788]

Engle is the PREMIUM brand, but at premium prices.

Danfoss is a company that is famous for it's reliable compressors so many people prefer to buy fridges with them in it. My Dometic has a Danfoss compressor.
Bob

Bob,

Engle has a good reputation, but I disagree that it's "The PREMIUM" brand. Before I bought my ARB 50 qt. unit, I researched all the brands and found the ARB to have less problems, a longer guarantee, stronger recessed handles, digital precision temperature setting, 50qt, not 40qt, and the famous German Danfoss compressor. It also runs on 12vdc, 24vdc, and 110vac.

The ARB is superior to the Engle and is a good value at $850-$900.

---

If anyone needs a WAECO/Dometic 12vdc fridge and is near the San Francisco Bay area, there is a new one (says used once) for $285 on Craigslist:

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/for/4478077069.html

 

[akrvbob]

66788, the ARBs I've seen look identical to the Waeco-Dometic. I assumed it was the same thing just re-branded. I think ARB does that with a lot of their products. I have an ARB awning that I know for a fact is re-branded from something else.

They created and manufactured a lot of new premium 4x4 gear but when they expanded into so many other things I don't think they make them, just re-brand them.

But I just assumed that about the fridge. I've seen one and it looks exactly like a Waeco-Dometic to me, just a different color scheme.

I consider the Engle to be superior to the Waeco-Dometic but I don't really have anything to base that on. I have a Waeco-Dometic and I'm not particularly impressed with it. I wasn't particulalry impressed with the ARB I saw either. They both use the Danfoss compressor so they are just as reliable as the other.
Bob

 

[66788]

66788, the ARBs I've seen look identical to the Waeco-Dometic. I assumed it was the same thing just re-branded. I think ARB does that with a lot of their products. I have an ARB awning that I know for a fact is re-branded from something else.

They created and manufactured a lot of new premium 4x4 gear but when they expanded into so many other things I don't think they make them, just re-brand them.

But I just assumed that about the fridge. I've seen one and it looks exactly like a Waeco-Dometic to me, just a different color scheme.

I consider the Engle to be superior to the Waeco-Dometic but I don't really have anything to base that on. I have a Waeco-Dometic and I'm not particularly impressed with it. I wasn't particulalry impressed with the ARB I saw either. They both use the Danfoss compressor so they are just as reliable as the other.
Bob

It could be that ARB is like Vivitar, they don't make much but they market a whole lot.

The ARB is, I believe, a unique product in that it has a snap removable rear hinged door and excellent digital temperature controls. I have a brand new one that I have been running in the garage while I finish my build. I'll keep the group posted on its reliability. So far it is impressive, as it just sips electricity, even in my hot garage. (90-100 degrees) I use a Kill-A-Watt to check its performance.

I had a Dometic 3 way in my 5th wheel and I loved its performance on propane, but it's too picky to run a propane fridge in a van.

 

[akrvbob]

Well, wait till that snap removable rear hinged door stars popping off when you don't want it to and let me know how you love it!

Mine has the long narrow lid and after the first 8 months use it must have worn, now, if I hold it up wrong one side unsnaps. I consider it a very cheap way to do things.
Bob