DIY Fridge

[Built4Work]

Long Time reader First time poster.

Has anyone on the forum made their own fridge? Or if not would anyone be interested in reading a DIY fridge build?

Ive done a few trips now and everything packs into a box/storage apart from the fridge that gets bungee'd to something. I found I only really ever stored a few cans and water bottles in there that didnt fit as well as I would like. There is a space in the false floor [access from behind the front seat] in my current setup, that would make a great home for a modest 10l fridge.

Mike

 

[mixmar]

http://victorborisov.livejournal.com/268137.html

 

[Luinil Explorations]

That looks more like a thermoelectric cooler than an actual refrigerator. TE coolers work reasonably well if you start with cold items. They take a long time to cool something down from room temp. Had one in our van and it is worked pretty well for short trips. The one in the link may work better because it is built like from thick foam to begin with.

 

[evaliquette]

I was toying with the idea of building one into a drawer in the rear of my Jeep. Subscribing


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Built4Work]

Thanks for the Link, The plan is something a little cleaner but similar design.

The TEG's are pretty cheap and do cool a little, I wonder how much benefit there would be to having a liquid cooled one that sinks to the outside. Pictures to come soon...

 

[Lynnrb]

You will need marine 12v refrigeration unit to make make a true fridge. These are made to build into boat hulls/cabins. TECs only have a 20-25 deg delta.

http://www.defender.com/category.jsp?path=-1|2276204|2276226&id=2530801

 

[Dan Grec]

TECs only have a 20-25 deg delta.

Speaking from years of using TECs on CPUs, it's very possible to have the hot side near 100C and the cold side will form ice.

It's really only a question of how effectively you can cool the hot side.

And they draw a lot of current.

-Dan

 

[Lynnrb]

Speaking from years of using TECs on CPUs, it's very possible to have the hot side near 100C and the cold side will form ice.

It's really only a question of how effectively you can cool the hot side.

And they draw a lot of current.

-Dan

If you cool the hot to within 25 degs of freezing then you probably do not need a fridge.

 

[Arctic Taco]

Probably better for a custom built in

This looks promising for a custom built in. Use 2-4" of foam to insulate and cut down the current draws. probably best for trailer use.

http://www.roadtrucker.com/engel/engel-12-volt-refrigerator-conversion-kits-l-shape-evaporator.htm

 

[herm]

sailboat guys often roll their own in small cabins. I would check out the marine forums. These are usually built into a hull locker or similar to save space and the need to mount the compressor somewhere specific.

 

[evaliquette]

sailboat guys often roll their own in small cabins. I would check out the marine forums. These are usually built into a hull locker or similar to save space and the need to mount the compressor somewhere specific.

Great suggestion!



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[lqdchkn]

This looks promising for a custom built in. Use 2-4" of foam to insulate and cut down the current draws. probably best for trailer use.

http://www.roadtrucker.com/engel/engel-12-volt-refrigerator-conversion-kits-l-shape-evaporator.htm

Ummmm you can buy a complete fridge for that price,lol

 

[Built4Work]

If a full fridge will fit in your storage setup, I agree just buy one of the shelf.

There isnt enough room for a full fridge in my setup :/ I am leaning towards a peltier based "cooler" the compressors are no doubt great but for keeping liquids coolish It may be overkill.

 

[Herbie]

If a full fridge will fit in your storage setup, I agree just buy one of the shelf.

There isnt enough room for a full fridge in my setup :/ I am leaning towards a peltier based "cooler" the compressors are no doubt great but for keeping liquids coolish It may be overkill.

I'm sure you've seen the discussions here, but I'll remind you that the difference in efficiency for the peltier coolers is MASSIVE. Such devices pull a LOT of power.

 

[Built4Work]

Quite inefficient I would agree, but lots of things to consider.

>Initial Price wise, a peltier set-up could be made for around $50
>Danger wise, no chemicals to leak in a peltier "cooler" [this is quite a big concern for me as Im sleeping in the back].

But a fridge that can keep things just about cool vs frozen, Im quite happy with cool, mines only for drinking water for a real fridge performance it would not be so ideal.

Anyway, Im making it with a water based heat exchanger in the fridge itself, leaving me with the option to change the cooling mechanism style without redoing the fridge itself. I wish I had aircon that I could tap into...

Thanks for all the links guys.