homemade 12V/115V compressor fridge?

[OP827]

I know that I can spend about a 1000$ and buy brand new 12V economic top load compressor fridge since I cannot find them used in my area, but instead I am thinking of taking a new or old 90W 115V compressor minibar 1.3cu.ft. fridge and only use the apparatus without cutting or changing any tubings, while building a bigger and better insulated top load container that could be placed like a drawer inside the trailer. I searched this forum, but could not see anyone done that, yet. It would draw about 10 amps on 12V when its compressor is on, but it's periodical, not constant like a 3-way fridge. If insulation is good, the average consumption should be much less than that.
I think it can work well and can also be used via 1000W converter from a battery with solar. Please share your experience here if you did this kind of project. Thanks for your input

[Vedette]

Our split door Koolatron cost us $100 and has worked fine for us the past three years.
As it is designed to run either as a front door or a top door, it is ideal for Teardrop Galleys.
We have frozen stuff in it .........and it draws 4.4 amps.
Good Roads
Brian & Sandi

[GuitarPhotog]

In general compressor fridges and AC units don't run well off inverters because of the large peak current demands when the compressor starts up. If the fridge draws 8A running, a 1KW inverter certainly won't cut it. You'll need twice that.

Search here on running a fridge off an inverter. There's a reason it's not done much.

<Chas>

[MtnDon]

Have you considered a 12/24 VDC Truckfridge like we have?

[OP827]

Have you considered a 12/24 VDC Truckfridge like we have?

No, I did not, thanks for the link. The fridge price seems to be quite good, i.e. it is comparable to 2000W inverter plus 115V mini fridge.

How do you like it?

[OP827]

In general compressor fridges and AC units don't run well off inverters because of the large peak current demands when the compressor starts up. If the fridge draws 8A running, a 1KW inverter certainly won't cut it. You'll need twice that.

Search here on running a fridge off an inverter. There's a reason it's not done much.

<Chas>

You are right 2000W seems to be the smallest invertor required. Some people were happy with them and I was considering the smaller fridge than in this link, with possibly a smaller fridge (1.4cu.ft) compressor if I can find it. http://www.tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?t=63505&p=1132382#p1132342

[dales133]

Here waco or engel make the best fridges by far,there are other brands like companion and primus as well.
The primus are 3 way so the work on 240/12/and gas.
Ill probably get an engel as i think they are better nade but they arnt cheap.
Not sure if thier avaliable there

[MtnDon]

We like ours. The 4.1 cu ft size lets us carry lots of fresh foods and cold drinks.

[OP827]

Have you considered a 12/24 VDC Truckfridge like we have?

No, I did not, thanks for the link. The fridge price seems to be quite good, i.e. it is comparable to 2000W inverter plus 115V mini fridge.

How do you like it?

I live in Canada where truckfridge has their distributor and their price bites - http://www.northernfridge.ca/pages/built-in-truck-refrigerator-freezer-quick-reference-guide

[MtnDon]

Jeez!! But your health care costs are less.

[Stainless]

I have spent hours and hours and hours researching an elegant, cost-effective solution to this question. I don't want to spend the money on a real 12 V Carnot fridge, and I don't want to monkey with the inverters and ridiculous electrical requirements an AC fridge in a DC trailer.

So far, it's been a disappointing battle. The best solution that I've found is to replace the 120 V compressor in a dorm fridge with a real 12 V compressor, but even those are tricky to find as an individual piece (and quite expensive, even if I was willing to blindly hand my credit card number over to an unproven overseas vendor). It would still be a minimum $400 solution, and that doesn't include the cost and nuisance of recharging the fridge with freon after the new compressor is soldered in. My garage is a house of horrors as testimonial of my love for tinkering, but that's too much for me to bet on the hope that there are no other hidden reasons why it won't work.

If you want to brainstorm, I would be happy to participate.

[Vedette]

Is there a reason to go so far, if it is not for commercial use?
Think about how many nights/yr you plan to use it????
We have averaged 52 nights / yr in Miss Piggy over the past 3 years with our (purchased used) Koolatron fridge.
I am certain there are similar fridges out there that may even be better..............but, boy does this work for us.
No spoils to date, easy to use in or out of the TD.
We could move it into the TV for easy access while traveling. Always nice to have your beverages close at hand.
Don't over think this!
Brian

[OP827]

I have spent hours and hours and hours researching an elegant, cost-effective solution to this question. I don't want to spend the money on a real 12 V Carnot fridge, and I don't want to monkey with the inverters and ridiculous electrical requirements an AC fridge in a DC trailer.

So far, it's been a disappointing battle. The best solution that I've found is to replace the 120 V compressor in a dorm fridge with a real 12 V compressor, but even those are tricky to find as an individual piece (and quite expensive, even if I was willing to blindly hand my credit card number over to an unproven overseas vendor). It would still be a minimum $400 solution, and that doesn't include the cost and nuisance of recharging the fridge with freon after the new compressor is soldered in. My garage is a house of horrors as testimonial of my love for tinkering, but that's too much for me to bet on the hope that there are no other hidden reasons why it won't work.

If you want to brainstorm, I would be happy to participate.

Your idea with new 12V fridge compressors based on brushless motors technology makes sense. I think one reason the brand units are so expensive it is a still relatively new technology. I saw this unit ( http://www.aliexpress.com/item/R134A-Miniature-Compressor-Refrigerator-Compressor-24V-DC-RL20D24C/32309099958.html?spm=2114.10010108.100010.10.OH0oiF ) which seems to be less than 400$CAD shipped if only to replace for 12V the compressor and its control board. Low 38dB noise. What do you think, did you check how much the compressor replacement will be in a shop?

[Socal Tom]

What size fridge are you looking at? $1000 seems high to me.
Tom

[OP827]

Approximately 3-4 cu. ft. would be nice for my trailer.