BajaNomad - Best fridge for solar power

I want to instal a kitchen fridge and run it on solar. Any recomondations on make/model?

where, hot climate?

laidback - 8-21-2016 at 04:38 PM

Sorry, Bahia Conception. Propane is fine in the winter, but doesn't cut it when it gets hot. And gas is expensive

BigWooo - 8-21-2016 at 04:41 PM

You can research power use on the Energy Star website. That's how we picked our refrigerators. Our main fridge is six years old, at the time it was one of the most energy efficient. It's a whirlpool (I'm pretty sure 19 cu ft), but I can't find the model number on it. The newer ones are probably better now anyway. It draws about 850 watts in 24 hours in the winter (inside temp about 70-75 degrees), and about 1200 in the summer (temp inside house around 80-85. I checked a lot of fridges sold in Mexico but the power use for some reason was much higher than what you could find in the U.S.

If you divide the yearly power use for a fridge on the energy star website by 365, it's pretty darn accurate for what it uses on a day that's 70-75 degrees or so.

willardguy - 8-21-2016 at 04:47 PM

I would build a chest freezer conversion...if you're the handy type, remove the metal skin and free the condenser coils, add 3 or 4 inches of insulation cover with FRP and re-attach the coils outside the box. its actually easier than it sounds.
or...buy a sundanzer chest fridge, expensive and there's been some problems with them lately, but they're plug and play.

laidback - 8-21-2016 at 05:06 PM

Thanks for the info Big Wooo. Good place to start for sure. I know there have been some inverter technology being used in some of the fridges??

rts551 - 8-21-2016 at 05:34 PM

We found that the newer LG and Samsung refrigerators are very efficient and work just fine off grid.

Our 1950's servel is now parked for storage and backup if we ever need it.

[Edited on 8-22-2016 by rts551]

Russ - 8-21-2016 at 06:18 PM

I've had really good luck with my Servels by Nordic for over 10years here. They are propane though. I'm lazy in the extreme and never serviced either. Just before I headed north last time one would not stay lit. I purchased a new thermocoupler (sp) but haven't installed it. These have worked well for me over the summers but do require a lot more time defrosting this time of year. They are pretty small so I have two. SunFrost has a good reputation here. But I've heard of their compressors going bad on a few. good luck!

BajaGlenn - 8-21-2016 at 06:56 PM

A small 12 volt fan behind the fridge make them work better in the summer i have found and they use very little amp's :light:

BigBearRider - 8-21-2016 at 07:06 PM

That's a great idea, Russ. I'm going to steal that.

larryC - 8-21-2016 at 07:20 PM

I use a Sears Elite, and I did what Big Woo suggested and got the most energy efficient refer I could find at the time. I find that during the winter months mine uses 900 to 1000 watts in a 24 hour period. During the hot months when it is 95+ degrees in the house the refer uses as much as 3000 watts in a 24 hour period. Huge increase. One thing to do is make sure you use a pure sine wave inverter. A mod sine wave can burn out a refer motor in the hot months. Motors do not run efficently on mod sine wave and will build up excess heat.
Good luck with yours
Larry

pacificobob - 8-22-2016 at 06:44 AM

Quote: Originally posted by BajaGlenn

A small 12 volt fan behind the fridge make them work better in the summer i have found and they use very little amp's :light:

12vdc , or 110vac computer fans work well to keep air moving across the heat exchanging components. the 12vdc fans use 1/10amp! they are available for about $1 at a shop that sell used computer parts. i would venture a guess that most propane frigs are operating at reduced efficiency due to a variety of factors...dirty burner,restricted flue, dirty cooling fins, ect

laidback - 8-22-2016 at 08:08 AM

thanks everyone for all the great info. My old fridge is just that . Old and to replace with a new propane fridge will be more expensive than going to a new electric fridge. I t5hink I can put a dedicated solar array for the fridge for less than propane will cost me over a couple of years. Once again, thanks for the info

Fernweh - 8-22-2016 at 08:44 AM

Quote: Originally posted by willardguy

I would build a chest freezer conversion...if you're the handy type, remove the metal skin and free the condenser coils, add 3 or 4 inches of insulation cover with FRP and re-attach the coils outside the box. its actually easier than it sounds.
or...buy a sundanzer chest fridge, expensive and there's been some problems with them lately, but they're plug and play.

I have such a chest freezer, converted to a fridge with a $13.00 temp controller.....works great!
It does collect quite a bit of condensation inside, and heats up the room it is located in pretty good. Perfect in the winter, but in the summer it is too much heat.
However, the beer stays nicely cooled.....

soylent_green - 8-22-2016 at 08:48 AM

14 cubic foot - freezer on the top - models they carry in Walmart in baja draw probably about 1200 watts in a 24 hour period I would guess - appx 50 watts an hour. Thats what mine does. I think it cost USD $350 mas o manos. They all have an energy rating sheet.

When you plan your solar build, do the math on all your usage, and size your battery bank so you have reserve for cloudy days and to not grind them down too low every day. Building the Solar will cost you though - if you base the payback only from switching from gas to electric in the refrigerator it wont pencil out I would guess. But for me personally it is worth the expense.

[Edited on 8-22-2016 by soylent_green]

Fernweh - 8-22-2016 at 08:49 AM

Quote: Originally posted by rts551

We found that the newer LG and Samsung refrigerators are very efficient and work just fine off grid.

Our 1950's servel is now parked for storage and backup if we ever need it.

[Edited on 8-22-2016 by rts551]

just perfect!

I am getting a US model LG fridge, together with a RV water pump and a 5 Gal
water jug, it will cool my drinking water and keep the ice maker busy in the door.

larryC - 8-22-2016 at 10:08 AM

Quote: Originally posted by Fernweh

Quote: Originally posted by willardguy

I also have the chest freezer conversion and like it a lot. I use it in the garage to keep my beer and other drinks cold. It uses less power in a 24 hour period than a 120v 14w curlicue florescent light bulb and holds a temperature of less than 40f. Yes it does collect condensation on the bottom so probably not the ideal for food storage, but works well as a back up when the household refer fills up. Here is a link to how to put one together
http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=47172
They are deffinitly worth the effort.

laidback - 8-22-2016 at 04:31 PM

Thanks everybody

rts551 - 8-22-2016 at 05:13 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Fernweh

Quote: Originally posted by rts551

just perfect!

I am getting a US model LG fridge, together with a RV water pump and a 5 Gal
water jug, it will cool my drinking water and keep the ice maker busy in the door.

After years of the servel we bought the Samsung inverter model. Uses very little electricity and available in Mexico.

Bob and Susan - 8-23-2016 at 05:25 AM

I've found that putting ac in the kitchen works best...

most people just think of the bedroom for sleeping

we just have regular fridges and ac in the kitchen when it get too hot

keeping the temp down makes it easier to eat too : )

laidback - 8-23-2016 at 07:38 AM

Thanks rts, I was thinking of the samsung also. Glad to hear it is working well for you. I like inverter concept, no hard start and corresponding hi start wattage. Keep those beers cold

BigWooo - 8-23-2016 at 08:46 AM

I've found that putting ac in the kitchen works best...

most people just think of the bedroom for sleeping

we just have regular fridges and ac in the kitchen when it get too hot

keeping the temp down makes it easier to eat too : )

No AC in the kitchen for me then. I have a hard enough time staying in shape, last thing I need to do is make it easier to eat!

Bob and Susan - 8-23-2016 at 08:48 AM

Thanks rts, I was thinking of the samsung also. Glad to hear it is working well for you. I like inverter concept, no hard start and corresponding hi start wattage. Keep those beers cold

its not the "hard start" of the fridge that hurts its the continual voltage used

I wonder if inverter units are actually worse for battery operations since they run the compressor all the time

as for beer...its good but its not goof for you when it really hot...you dehydrate...water is better
too bad

rts551 - 8-23-2016 at 09:45 AM

Thanks rts, I was thinking of the samsung also. Glad to hear it is working well for you. I like inverter concept, no hard start and corresponding hi start wattage. Keep those beers cold

Based on energy consumption they are one of the most efficient made.

https://news.samsung.com/global/how-the-digital-inverter-com...

I can not find the energy rating but based on consumption at the inverter, very little.

del mar - 8-23-2016 at 09:57 AM

Quote: Originally posted by rts551

Thanks rts, I was thinking of the samsung also. Glad to hear it is working well for you. I like inverter concept, no hard start and corresponding hi start wattage. Keep those beers cold

variable speed compressors....imagine if you hotrodded one of these fridges for hot weather applications! :yes:

Alm - 8-23-2016 at 10:01 AM

I want to instal a kitchen fridge and run it on solar. Any recomondations on make/model?

With very few exceptions, 120V fridges in offgrid homes run on battery through inverter - not on solar. Even those designed for 12V wouldn't run on solar in the night, for obvious reasons

...

Most models with Energy Star rating should be fine. About 300W of solar and 300 AH of battery bank will be needed for the fridge alone, so your powerhouse has to be big enough to run your other loads as well. If your kitchen is close to bedroom, make sure it doesn't make much noise especially when starting and stopping - compressor fridges have been known to do this.

[Edited on 8-23-2016 by Alm]

imlost - 8-23-2016 at 12:54 PM

For your viewing pleasure:
Annual consumption of the Samsung inverter refrigerators:
14 cu/ft = 298 KWh/yr
19 cu/ft - 300 - 349 KWh/yr
25 cu/ft - 695 KWh/yr (this is a french door refrigerator)

Bob and Susan - 8-23-2016 at 01:16 PM

For your viewing pleasure:
Annual consumption of the Samsung inverter refrigerators:
14 cu/ft = 298 KWh/yr
19 cu/ft - 300 - 349 KWh/yr
25 cu/ft - 695 KWh/yr (this is a french door refrigerator)

so what does that mean ?

del mar - 8-23-2016 at 02:55 PM

unfortunately not much, stats can't take in account for ambient temperature or more importantly, the amount of time and duration its opened, still looks like badazz fridges though! :yes:

and from what i've seen over at NAWS at least some of the models have condenser coils on the back making added insulation easy!

mtnpop - 8-23-2016 at 04:11 PM

Have a friend that converted an upright freezer to solar fridge.. Seems to work great.. I don't have all the particulars yet but hope to before we head south in Oct..
Freezer has better insulation I rekon. he runs everything totally off his solar system...
Will share when I get the info....

laidback - 8-23-2016 at 04:32 PM

Great information. I know enerstar ratings are only for comparing apples to apples, and they do say their power needs. 14cu ft uses about .9 0f a kiliwatt for the day. Pretty much the same draw as a stand up fan. The reason I mentioned soft start is that you don't need as big an inverter.

del mar - 8-23-2016 at 04:55 PM

Great information. I know enerstar ratings are only for comparing apples to apples, and they do say their power needs. 14cu ft uses about .9 0f a kiliwatt for the day. Pretty much the same draw as a stand up fan. The reason I mentioned soft start is that you don't need as big an inverter.

absolutely. I really like the idea of using multiple inverters sized correctly for the appliance, but even better, old school DC appliances. a television or sat receiver is nothing more than a DC appliance with a useless rectifier circuit that just cost extra amps to run, but unfortunately DC appliances cost more when they should really be cheaper! DC led lights, fans, tv's, throw in a DC fridge and the only thing you need a inverter for are your power tools.
blah blah blah thats my rant im stickin to it! :lol:

imlost - 8-23-2016 at 05:11 PM

For your viewing pleasure:
Annual consumption of the Samsung inverter refrigerators:
14 cu/ft = 298 KWh/yr
19 cu/ft - 300 - 349 KWh/yr
25 cu/ft - 695 KWh/yr (this is a french door refrigerator)

so what does that mean ?

It's only an approximate measurement of the electrical consumption per year. You'd need to get the same kilowatt hours per year estimate from the specifications of other non-inverter refrigerator(s) you may be considering purchasing, so you can get an idea of how much power they use, in order to compare the two.

This may be helpful (statement from Samsung): "The benefits are obvious. A refrigerator with a Samsung digital inverter compressor consumes up to 46.9% less energy than a single-speed induction motor compressor, and thus contributes far less in the way of greenhouse gases. Because the digital inverter compressor gradually speeds up and slows down, it does not have to work as hard to manage the temperature. This means that refrigerators with digital inverter compressors suffer less wear and tear on components and are therefore far more durable than fridges with conventional compressors. This has allowed Samsung to offer a 10-year warranty on its digital inverter compressors." -This is from the Samsung statement that rtss555 provided a link-to a few posts back.

Bob and Susan - 8-23-2016 at 05:30 PM

all these "stats" are probably taken at 60f not 100f

when it gets hot and humid all "stats" can be thrown out the door

comparing apples to apples still needs samples at the worst conditions

opening the door is one that should be included

my batteries seem to fall if I use continues draw
example is I can use my pool pump 4 times a day at 1/2 hour times and not drain the batteries
but if I would use it 2 hours straight I would drain the batteries

this inverter compressor stuff is still not proven to be a savings using off grid equipment...beware until its proven

SFandH - 8-23-2016 at 05:37 PM

Also consider drinking 16 oz beers instead of 12 oz beers. Fewer door openings to maintain an appropriate blood alcohol content.

rts551 - 8-23-2016 at 06:11 PM

all these "stats" are probably taken at 60f not 100f

when it gets hot and humid all "stats" can be thrown out the door

comparing apples to apples still needs samples at the worst conditions

opening the door is one that should be included

my batteries seem to fall if I use continues draw
example is I can use my pool pump 4 times a day at 1/2 hour times and not drain the batteries
but if I would use it 2 hours straight I would drain the batteries

this inverter compressor stuff is still not proven to be a savings using off grid equipment...beware until its proven

I can only provide my experience over the last year.

BajaGlenn - 8-23-2016 at 08:29 PM

Quote: Originally posted by SFandH

Also consider drinking 16 oz beers instead of 12 oz beers. Fewer door openings to maintain an appropriate blood alcohol content.

AMEN to that brother :lol:

del mar - 8-23-2016 at 08:57 PM

one of the few "problems" with the variable speed compressors is that they're slow to cool...not unlike my sunfrost with old slow turning BD50 danfoss compressors,not at all a problem if you're there for awhile, but what we do is load all the beer into the chest freezer that cools quickly then transfer it into the heavily insulated sunfrost, remember that chest freezer conversions are dirt cheap and free to run during sunlight hours.
its all about cold beer right? :coolup:

Alm - 8-23-2016 at 09:11 PM

For your viewing pleasure:
Annual consumption of the Samsung inverter refrigerators:
14 cu/ft = 298 KWh/yr
19 cu/ft - 300 - 349 KWh/yr
25 cu/ft - 695 KWh/yr (this is a french door refrigerator)

so what does that mean ?

It means that inverter fridges don't save a whole lot of energy.

0.9 KWH a day for 14 cf fridge is the same as a regular on-off fridge with Energy Star rating would consume. There exist less efficient ES-rated models, but mid-priced units from known brands would draw the same 0.9-1.0.

Most importantly, Energy Star rating assumes certain testing protocol. The numbers for ES-rated models are accurate but... but... "estimated energy use" is for a normal household, not when it hits 100F while you're not home and A/C is off.

Now, how Mr Samsung got his numbers for inverter models, and whether he followed the same ES protocol, is a bigger mystery yet.

Soft-start for compressor fridge is not terribly important. The spike is short, doesn't affect total daily KWH. Yes, inverter for a on-off compressor fridge should be bigger than 80-100W of regular running power. 1,000W inverter should suffice.

BD Danfoss compressor is a different creature. It is 12V, no DC-AC inverter is needed. Prices of these kind of fridges are astronomic.

[Edited on 8-24-2016 by Alm]

del mar - 8-23-2016 at 09:30 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Alm