Compact Refrigerator -- 1.7 CF question ???

[JoeH]

I am thinking about putting a small 1.7 CF refer in one of the basement compartments to keep a few brews cold and to avoid having to walk inside to get a refreshment. I would want a compressor model. I don't see a need for any "freezer" shelf. I see several out on the web, just not sure about which one would be best

Anyone have a recommendation ? Thanks

[JoeH]

Thanks for the input-- I ordered this . No freezer compartment, good reviews, free shipping and no taxes.. all worked for me. It'll fit right next to my tool box in my front bay, where there is already power.

[cpaulsen]

I have a Black and Decker.....bought from WW for 78 bucks. 110 volts only and works just fine for me.

[Almot]

westend wrote:
It has a very small freezer tray and that could probably be removed, if unwanted.

Freezer tray is normally an evaporator in the shape of "sleeve" with cooling tubes imbedded in there, so you can't remove it. Un-folding it into a flat evaporator or removing that small freezer lid could work though.

OP - make sure it is indeed a compressor. Some of those small fridges are thermoelectric, not compressor. Walmart used to have some $60 1.7 cu.ft.

[westend]

I have a 1.7 cu. ft. dorm fridge. It draws 80w when in use. The locked rotor draw is about 6 amps. It has a duty cycle of 4-5/1 in summer temps. It uses about 50AH/day at 12V. I bought it a Target, on sale, for $60, IIRC. It has a very small freezer tray and that could probably be removed, if unwanted. It is compressor driven and uses R-134 as coolant.

It may be a Haier brand. I'm too warm, right now to walk out in the snow and check to see. I'll get out there, tomorrow, to check the brand.

[Almot]

If battery isn't an issue, just get the biggest and the cheapest 120V model from big box store that fits in your opening. They are all cheap though. There isn't anything else to it. Some 1.7-2.0 undercounter fridges will have a small freezer tray, about 0.2-0.3 cu.ft.
I suggest a physical store like Walmart or Best Buy rather than Amazon due to simplicity of checking. You bring it home, check, and if something is wrong or it is too loud, you take it back.

Those 12VDC models that people mentioned Engel/Tundra/Novakool/Dometic/Isotherm etc, are nice and - usually - more efficient than 120V dorm fridge, but they are expensive and only make sense for an offgrid camper living off his batteries and/or solar.

[wa8yxm]

You might consider something like a small "Chest" model.. Engel makes some nice ones, Kind of high price but... Well the unit defrosting beside me as I type (I am defrosting today) draws a great whomping THREE amps when running on 12 volt.. On 120 volt one of my ammeters can't even detect it (it does not do tenths) that is about 40 watts folks (Since 12 is not really 12). I run it on battery full time.

The one I have will go down to FREEZER range, I mean ZERO (f).. though I can "Turn it down" to refrigerator range.. Other models do one or the other.

Norcold I believe has one like it, Danfoss compressor.. VERY nice.. The only maintenance I've done in nearly 9 years is defrosting and last winter I took it out and blew the dust out of the condensor and compressor areas. No screwdrivers used, just compressed air and a painter's mask.

[JoeH]

landyacht318 wrote:
Is battery consumption an issue?

Many of the tiny residential fridges don't really put much thought into efficiency and can eat through batteries.

I don't plan to run it except when we are hooked up, so electric consumption isn't an issue.

[marcsbigfoot20b]

You might be better off with a portable fridge/freezer like I have. It runs off 12v, 24v, 110v and it only uses 38 watts. 45 quart capacity which is 1.5 cf and you can dial it from 50 degrees to -10 and it holds that temp no matter the ambient.

New they are spendy and the price has gone up due to their popularity-but I got mine used for $375.
I even drag mine onto the beach and run off solar.


http://www.amazon.com/Medium-Sized-Voltage-Fridge-Freezer/dp/B001SIRDD0

[landyacht318]

Is battery consumption an issue?

Many of the tiny residential fridges don't really put much thought into efficiency and can eat through batteries.

[JoeH]

I saw one at the Best Buy website that would fit in the space I have... just never heard of the brand -- Midea - 1.7 Cu. Ft. Compact Refrigerator