Comments on: Quick refrigerator tip #1 http://www.genverters.com/lifestyle/quick-refrigerator-tip-1/ Making Energy, Storing it, and using it wisely Fri, 20 Jan 2012 07:27:55 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v= By: marshall http://www.genverters.com/lifestyle/quick-refrigerator-tip-1/comment-page-1/#comment-5043 marshall Tue, 10 May 2011 21:22:31 +0000 http://www.genverters.com/?p=7#comment-5043 What is the UL amp rating on the unit? I've seen many 'small' fridges on the showroom floor that use the same compressor as the larger units. It sounds like you got past the starting surge of power for startup. Its possible that the inverter is too small. I'd suggest one that is rated as follows: UL rated amps * 120 Volts * 1.25 In other words, you want a 25-30% margin for the inverter to operate with to cover losses with modified sine wave designs. What is the UL amp rating on the unit? I’ve seen many ‘small’ fridges on the showroom floor that use the same compressor as the larger units. It sounds like you got past the starting surge of power for startup. Its possible that the inverter is too small. I’d suggest one that is rated as follows: UL rated amps * 120 Volts * 1.25 In other words, you want a 25-30% margin for the inverter to operate with to cover losses with modified sine wave designs.

]]> By: C.J. http://www.genverters.com/lifestyle/quick-refrigerator-tip-1/comment-page-1/#comment-4686 C.J. Sat, 16 Apr 2011 03:04:25 +0000 http://www.genverters.com/?p=7#comment-4686 I have a Kenmore compact fridge. I plugged it into an 800 watt inverter to a deep cycle battery. It ran for about 10 minutes. Then the inverter light went from green to red. I would really appreciate any advice. Thanks!!! :-) I have a Kenmore compact fridge. I plugged it into an 800 watt inverter to a deep cycle battery. It ran for about 10 minutes. Then the inverter light went from green to red. I would really appreciate any advice. Thanks!!! :-)

]]> By: marshall http://www.genverters.com/lifestyle/quick-refrigerator-tip-1/comment-page-1/#comment-11 marshall Mon, 08 Feb 2010 17:55:19 +0000 http://www.genverters.com/?p=7#comment-11 Thanks for the comment Arild, and you are one step ahead of me on the adding insulation. This summer when the room temperature goes up, I'm planning on re-visiting our Fridge's power consumption and measuring real power differences with added insulation. <a href="http://www.genverters.com/power_systems/off-grid-refrigerator-big-unit-small-power/" rel="nofollow">Current measurements for 65-70F room temp are here.</a> Thanks for the comment Arild, and you are one step ahead of me on the adding insulation.

This summer when the room temperature goes up, I’m planning on re-visiting our Fridge’s power consumption and measuring real power differences with added insulation. Current measurements for 65-70F room temp are here.

]]> By: Arild http://www.genverters.com/lifestyle/quick-refrigerator-tip-1/comment-page-1/#comment-10 Arild Mon, 08 Feb 2010 17:09:05 +0000 http://www.genverters.com/?p=7#comment-10 If buying a new fridge is not in your budget at the moment, adding insulation around the shell will help as will adding a computer fan to blow air across the radiator. Such cooling fans can be powered by the smaller size solar panel often sold in automotive stores as a battery top up charger for when the vehicles is left parked in the sun for extended periods of time. Fans can be salvaged from computer in the dump or scrap heap. If buying a new fridge is not in your budget at the moment, adding insulation around the shell will help as will adding a computer fan to blow air across the radiator. Such cooling fans can be powered by the smaller size solar panel often sold in automotive stores as a battery top up charger for when the vehicles is left parked in the sun for extended periods of time. Fans can be salvaged from computer in the dump or scrap heap.

]]> By: Arild http://www.genverters.com/lifestyle/quick-refrigerator-tip-1/comment-page-1/#comment-9 Arild Mon, 08 Feb 2010 17:04:49 +0000 http://www.genverters.com/?p=7#comment-9 I know some boaters put cold drinks and frequently accessed items in a top loading cooler instead of the fridge that has a front opening door. The boaters who anchor out (off grid) even go so far as to limit door opening to once per meal times. This done to limit the time the compressor runs and uses energy. A bag of ice placed in the cooler helps keep things cool and if it is ice cubes can be added to drinks if desired. I know some boaters put cold drinks and frequently accessed items in a top loading cooler instead of the fridge that has a front opening door. The boaters who anchor out (off grid) even go so far as to limit door opening to once per meal times. This done to limit the time the compressor runs and uses energy. A bag of ice placed in the cooler helps keep things cool and if it is ice cubes can be added to drinks if desired.

]]> By: Quick Refrigerator tip #2 and #3 | Real off grid Energy and Life! http://www.genverters.com/lifestyle/quick-refrigerator-tip-1/comment-page-1/#comment-8 Quick Refrigerator tip #2 and #3 | Real off grid Energy and Life! Wed, 03 Feb 2010 00:24:54 +0000 http://www.genverters.com/?p=7#comment-8 [...] is a challenge and expense.  In this series, we cover our experience with several units.  Refrigerator Tip *1 reviewed our experience with propane [...] [...] is a challenge and expense.  In this series, we cover our experience with several units.  Refrigerator Tip *1 reviewed our experience with propane [...]

]]> By: Power Budgets [2]: Simple Calculations Fast | Real off grid Energy and Life! http://www.genverters.com/lifestyle/quick-refrigerator-tip-1/comment-page-1/#comment-7 Power Budgets [2]: Simple Calculations Fast | Real off grid Energy and Life! Thu, 28 Jan 2010 20:15:15 +0000 http://www.genverters.com/?p=7#comment-7 [...] since the compressor runs 50% of the time, that’s 12hr.  (this is a big simplification) so,  150W x 12Hr = 1800 [...] [...] since the compressor runs 50% of the time, that’s 12hr.  (this is a big simplification) so,  150W x 12Hr = 1800 [...]

]]>