Explorer Products? [RE-wrenches]

[j.lamb at pecorp.com]

I have managed to buy a cycle defrost NEW 13.4 cubic foot General Electric
refrigerator for $ 285.00 one day sale 7 years ago from Highland Appliance(
out of business today). The salesman tried to stear me away to an auto
defrost model. I told him no and he told me I would have to wait a week for
it. No problem I waited.  This Frig as is uses 2 KWH/DAY average stock.
With modifications I got the average usage down to 800 wattshours/Day to
1KH/Day 

You have to defrost the freezer about 2-4 times a year. The freezer has its
seperate door and is on top. The Frig section is on the bottom with its
seperate door and has a evaporator coil in it.  When the compressor is off,
the temp in the frigerator section (38 degrees) mellts the ice on the coil
thus the name cycle defrost. In addition there is a small heater on that
coil that is TURNED ON ALL THE TIME to make sure the coil defrosted in a
very humid climate. I disconnected it. no problem no frost build up even on
hot summer days. Now I had to run the compressor less for less electric
usage.

I insulated the inside the freezer over the non coil area (right and left
side of freezer section). I also insulated around the outside of the
refrigerator. I added even more insulation on the top and sides of the
freezer which is on top. I carefully tilted the evaporator coil on the back
to increase air flow around it. I also raised the refrigerator a few inches
for more air flow around it. By having the freezer on top, cold travels
down, so this helps to use the cold better. That's why the old wooded
refrigerator require you to put the ice on top. I have one for emergencies
and also I can tell people I own a refrigerator that does not have a plug.

Question? What are the disadvantages of using a chest freezer as a
refrigerator by installing a series thermostat that sets the temp at 38
Degrees. I notice that some people open the refrigerator door and feel like
they are shopping for stuff and close it without picking something. A chest
freezer changed to a refrigerator would at least keep the cold air in for
the shoppers.

			Jim Lamb
			Middle Fork Engineering

"Habits are at first cobwebs, then cables."-Spanish Proverb

         

   

> ----------
> From: 	bill loesch[SMTP:bill_loesch at compuserve.com]
> Reply To: 	RE-wrenches at topica.com
> Sent: 	Thursday, March 23, 2000 6:00 AM
> To: 	INTERNET:RE-wrenches at topica.com
> Subject: 	Re: Explorer Products? [RE-wrenches]
> 
> 
> >I was afraid that I would ice up my coil
> since we are usually very humid around here.<
> 
> Hi Ian and Travis,
> 
> What is sometimes available is a switch, ambigiously labeled "energy
> saver".
> 
> What it is in fact is a switch for the door seal heater. In high humidity
> areas, condensation would form next to the door seal. the heater would, at
> a cost, make this problem go away. 
> 
> There are few problems that cannot be solved by throwing money at them. No
> comment on the elegance of the money, or in this case energy inefficiency,
> solution.
> 
> Bill Loesch
> St Louis Solar
> St Louis MO
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for info contact: <michael.welch at homepower.com>
_________________________________________________________
Enlighten your in-box.         http://www.topica.com/t/15