[RE-wrenches] Off Grid Washing Machine

[Ray]

I too have a few Sunfrosts that are still with happy customers. We just 
had too many failures to justify the high cost overall. On the super 
efficient fridge topic:  I use the Backwoods Solar deep freeze 
conversion kit, which gets equally amazing energy numbers for about $500 
total.  It just uses a standard, off the shelf chest style deep freeze, 
with a thermostat that operates it at 40 deg F.  If anything goes wrong, 
nothing on the freezer is altered, so warranty and local service are 
still available.

https://www.backwoodssolar.com/products/appliances/refrigerators-freezers/external-thermostat


Ray Walters
Remote Solar
303 505-8760

On 9/18/19 1:55 PM, toddcory at finestplanet.com wrote:
>
> ahem... i need to correct this with my personal experience.
>
> perhaps this is an exception, but my 24 year old sunfrost RF-12 is 
> still going strong, 100% problem free...
>
> and it gets better efficiency than advertised:
> it uses 390 watt hours/ day = 142 kWh/year
>
> while solar pv is less expensive than it used to be it is still made 
> with hydrocarbon powered mining and manufacturing.
>
> call me "old school", but solar powering waste is not green.
>
> todd
>
>
>
> On Wednesday, September 18, 2019 12:24pm, "Ray" <ray at solarray.com> said:
>
> I second Jerry's comments.  Back in the 90s, we sold Sunfrost DC 
> fridges, DC fans, CFLs, DC Pumps, etc.  Just tons of trouble for very 
> little benefit.  Local fridge techs wouldn't touch them, and frankly 
> they weren't as efficient as advertised.  The closer off grid clients 
> can be to normal, the better.  That means normal wiring, normal 
> appliances, etc.  Then you aren't on the hook for all these other 
> items.  I hate to say it, but they just are not as well built or 
> thought out, as main stream appliances, and the customer (after many 
> bitter experiences) will eventually get normal equipment.
>
> One other thing: plan on adding a LVD with a big contactor if you do 
> have DC equipment or you'll ruin the batteries with this little detour 
> down the "road less traveled"....
>
> Ray Walters Remote Solar 303 505-8760
>
> On 9/18/19 9:40 AM, Jerry Shafer wrote:
>
>     Wrenches
>     I have been in the renewable industry for a very many years and l
>     dont quite  understand why someone would spend way to much on a
>     refrigerator or washer or even range when they have their own
>     issues. I have always suggested that my customers to buy a name
>     brand machine,  efficiency always a factor of course.  Then invest
>     in more batteries, modules, inverter etc. instead. In the long
>     game it's a better investment with fewer headaches. Granted in
>     some cases a propane refrigerator might be better but this is very
>     seldom. But that's just me.
>     Jerry
>
>     On Wed, Sep 18, 2019, 7:13 AM Drake
>     <drake.chamberlin at redwoodalliance.org
>     <mailto:drake.chamberlin at redwoodalliance.org>> wrote:
>
>         Hello Wrenches,
>
>         For years, is seemed like the best off grid washing machine
>         was the Staber. I've read of complaints about cheap plastic
>         parts breaking. The price tag on this machine is very high for
>         something that isn't mechanically solid.
>
>         Are there any good options for an affordable, low power, low
>         water usage, resilient, repairable machine with a minimum of
>         electronics on the market?
>
>         Thanks,
>
>         Drake
>
>         Drake Chamberlin
>         /Athens Electric LLC
>         OH License 44810
>         CO License 3773
>         NABCEP Certified Solar PV
>         740-448-7328
>         /http://athens-electric.com/
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