Compressor Model Refrigerator / Freezers
I thought I'd start a new thread on this subject matter for those that will follow in the future. As I mentioned in another thread I'm planning on installing a compressor model refrigerator and fre...
Forum Discussion
BoonHauler,
We are into year 4 of camping with a 7.5cuft NovaKool fridge/freezer rated at 4.4amps running. Starting of course there is a bump in amps until quickly the compressor gets up to speed.
There are a lot of conditions that affect the length that the compressor runs in an hour.
Most of our camping experience with this fridge have been mild to very warm but not oppressively hot.
Originally we had 190 W of solar and after a very warm spell on the desert in May, we came back and installed another 140W for a total of 330W. This has served us well.
190 nights of camping with 5 nights with electricity and no generator time.
We figure anywhere from 30-65amp/hrs per day for this unit.
Regarding ventilation. Having a convection chimney to get rid of hot air around condenser is great when the air is warm outside but during cold days, it seems foolish to heat up the air in your trailer, only to use more energy to run your fridge. Why not use that heat and vent it into your living area.
We have dual outside vents for warm weather and cover them up with flexible insulation when it is cool thus allowing the warm air from the condenser to rise and enter through inside vents, back into the living area.
Since you are building your trailer, take a que from the boaters and add at least 1" of solid insulation around the unit. It will pay for itself in no time.
Just turned on the fridge today for the first time in 5 months and although the air was still cool from last night, there was frost in the freezer in 30min. Try that with an absorption unit.
Dave
We are into year 4 of camping with a 7.5cuft NovaKool fridge/freezer rated at 4.4amps running. Starting of course there is a bump in amps until quickly the compressor gets up to speed.
There are a lot of conditions that affect the length that the compressor runs in an hour.
Most of our camping experience with this fridge have been mild to very warm but not oppressively hot.
Originally we had 190 W of solar and after a very warm spell on the desert in May, we came back and installed another 140W for a total of 330W. This has served us well.
190 nights of camping with 5 nights with electricity and no generator time.
We figure anywhere from 30-65amp/hrs per day for this unit.
Regarding ventilation. Having a convection chimney to get rid of hot air around condenser is great when the air is warm outside but during cold days, it seems foolish to heat up the air in your trailer, only to use more energy to run your fridge. Why not use that heat and vent it into your living area.
We have dual outside vents for warm weather and cover them up with flexible insulation when it is cool thus allowing the warm air from the condenser to rise and enter through inside vents, back into the living area.
Since you are building your trailer, take a que from the boaters and add at least 1" of solid insulation around the unit. It will pay for itself in no time.
Just turned on the fridge today for the first time in 5 months and although the air was still cool from last night, there was frost in the freezer in 30min. Try that with an absorption unit.
Dave
