Fridge Tips n Tricks

[jfkal]

This time no questions but sharing of experience.
Was struggling with my fridge for a while (barely went below 10 degrees Centigrade even after hours). Then I looked at the problem systematically.

1. Wire size has to be adequate otherwise the battery saver kicks in too early reducing the runtime of the compressor.
2. Install a auxiliary battery close to the fridge (through splitting diode).
3. The fan usually installed at the compressor is inadequate if the unit is placed in a confined space. Use an additonal fan to force the warm air out from whereever the compressor sits.
4. Insulation of the cold box inadeqate. Increase by adding closed-cell foam sheets on each and every wall as well as lid and bottom.
5. Drain too large (cool air "falls" down through the drain sucking warm air in through the lid gaps)
6. Poor circulation in the cold box allows the evaporator to freeze up stalling the cooling process. Installed two PC type fans forcing circulation top-down through the (O type ) evaporator.

Result? -7 Degrees centigrade within 15 minutes ))))))

Now the question: How can I prevent the beer from freezing up?????

 

[chippie]

Re: Beer freezing

Drink it quickly!

 

[VMALLOWS]

And -for those of you who are not scared by them- an observation on my gas/electric absortion fridge (an Electrolux top loader 12v/230v/gas).................

Performance on gas had dropped off gradually untill it hardly kept cool. I kept suspecting the regulator, but since the fridge came from Germany, it uses the rather obscure pressure of 50mB (compared to the more usual 28mB) and I was unable to obtain a replacement. (have since noted that Calor now list 50mB regs on their website).

It was very hot at Studland a few weeks ago, so problem was urgent. Checked the pressure with a water gauge, and was OK. Started to think the fridge must be loosing amonia (ie 'had-it'). No wind the next day, so had to motor all day and put the fridge onto 12v.......worked fine!

Turned out to be the gas injector nossle. After a soak in petrol and a blast of air from the dingy pump everything worked fine. Now have ice again, and even managed to freeze a beer over night.

Another tip: a small 12v or 24v computer type fan (about 3" square) to move air over the condenser really helps in hot still conditions, with negligible power drain.

 

[VMALLOWS]

Re: Beer freezing

Switch to Tennants Super. At 9% it wont freeze at -7C!!