philodog
Nomad
Posts: 164
Registered: 10-9-2010
Member Is Offline
|
|
Solar powered chest freezer question
The solar powered chest freezer info I learned on this site is awesome. My question is can the compressor run OK on cheap non-pure sine wave
inverters? And how much power does the compressor need to start up?
It would be great to have a refer while driving. I no longer keep the propane one running while in motion after one caught fire due to a cheap
propane hose purchased in Mexico, developed a small leak which eventually found the pilot light.
|
|
|
elgatoloco
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4349
Registered: 11-19-2002
Location: Yes
Member Is Offline
|
|
No help on your question but I think I may like to hear the story about the fire.  
MAGA
marooons Are Governing America
|
|
|
Roberto
Banned
Posts: 2162
Registered: 9-5-2003
Member Is Offline
|
|
The electrical needs of refrigeration compressors varies with type, capacity, model, manufacturer, etc. Do you know what the draw is on the unit?
|
|
|
Desertbull
Senior Nomad
Posts: 558
Registered: 8-27-2003
Member Is Offline
|
|
I have a few of these FridgeFreeze units and they draw approx. 2.3-3.5 amps running full speed...the same unit(s) run off either 12v or 110..so you
can run off an inverter or direct to your vehicle power.
http://www.sportfridge.com/portable-recreational-marine-off-...
DB
DREAM IT! PLAN IT! LIVE IT!
|
|
|
CasaManzana
Nomad
Posts: 398
Registered: 7-4-2004
Location: Was Mulege:Posada Beach/now Zihuatanejo
Member Is Offline
Mood: Naykid
|
|
I've been running a 43 quart Engle now for two years and totally on solar. They run about $900 delivered. It has been flawless. I put it behind the
seat of my Toyota Tacoma as seen here-
It runs off the 84 watt panel mounted on the bed cover as shown here-
The panel feeds into a deep cycle battery with control panel as shown here-
We bring back shrimp from the mainland each year and it keeps 5 degrees without flaw. I bought mine here-
http://www.roadtrucker.com/engel/engel-12-volt-acdc-refriger...
Things are expensive, but at least we get a free trip around the sun once a year
|
|
|
Curt63
Super Nomad
Posts: 1171
Registered: 3-28-2009
Location: San Diego, Ca.
Member Is Offline
Mood: Fish tacos and Tecate
|
|
Nice set up!
No worries
|
|
|
torch
Nomad
Posts: 295
Registered: 1-27-2010
Location: O.C. Calif. and BCN
Member Is Offline
|
|
I love that set up. That is on my wish list
|
|
|
larryC
Super Nomad
Posts: 1499
Registered: 8-11-2008
Location: BoLA
Member Is Offline
|
|
| Quote: | Originally posted by philodog
The solar powered chest freezer info I learned on this site is awesome. My question is can the compressor run OK on cheap non-pure sine wave
inverters? And how much power does the compressor need to start up?
It would be great to have a refer while driving. I no longer keep the propane one running while in motion after one caught fire due to a cheap
propane hose purchased in Mexico, developed a small leak which eventually found the pilot light. |
Motors don't like modified sine wave, and will draw approximately 25% more power on msw, which means they run hotter, than they will on a pure sine
wave inverter. That being said, my guess is that the msw probably won't be a problem since the compressor runs such a short period of time while it is
being used as a refer. As far as the start up, that is pretty difficult to answer. It depends on a lot of things. How cheap is your inverter and how
much does the chest freezer you have draw on startup? I would say just try it and if it won't start then you need a bigger inverter, or maybe just
bigger wires to your existing inverter. Lots of variables.
HTH
Larry
|
|
|
bajajurel
Nomad
Posts: 276
Registered: 6-17-2009
Location: San Diego
Member Is Offline
Mood: Fishing for fun
|
|
CasaManzana I love that setup you have. It's great to have a cold beer on hand at all times in Baja.
bajajurel
|
|
|
805gregg
Super Nomad
Posts: 1344
Registered: 5-21-2006
Location: Ojai, Ca
Member Is Offline
|
|
I ran a 45 qt Engle for 2 weeks, with no solar just the car battery, we drove almost everyday so the battery was always charged. I had no problems and
enjoyed yogurt from SD two weeks into Baja. I have the insulation cover. It's funny the miltary never even looked in the refer.
|
|
|
![[*]](images/xmbforum/default_icon.gif){kind=icon}
