deep freezer while boondocking?
Im not much of a cook, I can run a gas grill which is what I want to do, is stock up a deep freezer and live out of that. My idea was if I run a generator first thing in the morning while getting rea...
Forum Discussion
So do you have a gas refrigerator too?
You can rotate your frozen meats in and out of the freezer, and keep what is in the freezer cold that way. You probably would want a really tiny freezer, say 4-6 cubic feet. Look for one with the best 'energy Star' rating, so it will use the very least amount of energy. I hear that Samsung has some models that can run on modified sine wave power, so it could run happy on a inverter. Most require pure sine wave inverters, and many will consume lots of power while on inverter power. A built in ice maker is about the most energy in-efficient way to make ice possible, as it involves a 300 watt heater inside the freezer compartment. . .
If you find a refrigerator that consumes less than about 150 watts, and find a suitable 300 watt inverter, you could install 300 - 500 watts of solar panels, and not need to worry about running the generator. When the freezer is 1/2 full, stuff the rest into the gas powered refrigerator, and then you can shut off the electric one.
Frozen stuff will stay 'somewhat frozen' for a few days in the refrigerator, but will be thawing out slowly. If you must keep it frozen, then the top freezer will do that!
I can make 100 gallons last me 2 weeks camping by myself. I do not conserve much water while camping, and take daily showers. The pump is only rated for about 2 GPM, so even taking a 5 minute shower at a reduced rate will use less than 8 gallons.
IF I plan on staying put for more than 2 weeks, I can bring back water when I go out sightseeing! I also like to run my dishwasher once every week or so. Fisher Paykell, it uses minimal water.
Also make sure that any freezer or refrigerator that you buy does not have the condenser tubing mounted to the steel exterior of the box. Many are designed this way today, with the exterior metal acting as the heat transfer metal, so covering that with anything will increase the amp draw on the compressor. The 'old fashion' refrigerator or freezer with a coil on the back or below will work almost as well, and that type can be insulated with additional foam to retain the cool inside a few hours longer. Yet the old style will not have several square feet of heat exchanger, and that coil on the back or bottom is easier to damage while moving the refrigerator around.
Good luck!
Fred.
You can rotate your frozen meats in and out of the freezer, and keep what is in the freezer cold that way. You probably would want a really tiny freezer, say 4-6 cubic feet. Look for one with the best 'energy Star' rating, so it will use the very least amount of energy. I hear that Samsung has some models that can run on modified sine wave power, so it could run happy on a inverter. Most require pure sine wave inverters, and many will consume lots of power while on inverter power. A built in ice maker is about the most energy in-efficient way to make ice possible, as it involves a 300 watt heater inside the freezer compartment. . .
If you find a refrigerator that consumes less than about 150 watts, and find a suitable 300 watt inverter, you could install 300 - 500 watts of solar panels, and not need to worry about running the generator. When the freezer is 1/2 full, stuff the rest into the gas powered refrigerator, and then you can shut off the electric one.
Frozen stuff will stay 'somewhat frozen' for a few days in the refrigerator, but will be thawing out slowly. If you must keep it frozen, then the top freezer will do that!
I can make 100 gallons last me 2 weeks camping by myself. I do not conserve much water while camping, and take daily showers. The pump is only rated for about 2 GPM, so even taking a 5 minute shower at a reduced rate will use less than 8 gallons.
IF I plan on staying put for more than 2 weeks, I can bring back water when I go out sightseeing! I also like to run my dishwasher once every week or so. Fisher Paykell, it uses minimal water.
Also make sure that any freezer or refrigerator that you buy does not have the condenser tubing mounted to the steel exterior of the box. Many are designed this way today, with the exterior metal acting as the heat transfer metal, so covering that with anything will increase the amp draw on the compressor. The 'old fashion' refrigerator or freezer with a coil on the back or below will work almost as well, and that type can be insulated with additional foam to retain the cool inside a few hours longer. Yet the old style will not have several square feet of heat exchanger, and that coil on the back or bottom is easier to damage while moving the refrigerator around.
Good luck!
Fred.
