120V mini-fridge 'hack'

[CapnK]

I will eventually be getting an Engel fridge/freezer, but that is down the road a bit as I have other more important expensive boatbits to purchase first. In the meanwhile, and since I have 120V here at the dock, I've been using a mini-fridge, a dorm room type, maybe 1.5 to 2cu/ft capacity.

The past couple weeks I have been contemplating tearing it apart, and making a more boat-style type of top-opening fridge out of the components, one that was closer to the Engel dimensions so I could go ahead and build structure around it. To that end, this morning I started looking for some information as to how the things are made, in an effort to keep from breaking it when I tore it apart.

Well, I ran across this link:

How to Convert a mini fridge to a chest refrigerator

which basically says to unbolt the compressor assembly, rotate it 90* around the corner of the fridge (carefuly! Don't crease/crack any tubing!!!) and then rebolt, in order to make the fridge a top-opener. That seemed a lot simpler, and it brought the dimensions in to within a couple of inches of the Engel, so I did it.

Much simpler! It's a good little 'hack', works well, and the interior capacity of the fridge has *much more* usable space now since things can't fall out when it is opened. I imagine it'll run a little more efficiently, too, being top-opening.

Thought I'd post about it here so that someone else might find it useful.

[AdriftAtSea]

Very cool hack..

[CapnK]

Darn those BB language inconsistencies... Thx for drawing that to my attention, Dan.

[CapnK]

Status report: great improvement. In normal, front-opening mode, the only way I have been able to freeze anything was to put it directly on the freezer plate. Even then, only the first 1/2" or so of whatever wound up frozen hard.

But I kept ice in there last night outside of the freezer plate area (although next to it), and this morning (over 12 hours later) there is no evidence of melting, and some of my liquids that weren't even in contact with the freezer plate froze up.

This is on a thermostat setting of 3, out of 7 possible.

Overall hack grade: A++ - Easy and effective.

[Shipscarver]

Well done, CapnK. Lifted mug to you!

[CapnK]

I'll hoist one back.

A cold one - it's still working.

[Tim]

Grog for a picture 

[ksmith]

Hi, 

    New here.   Have been lurking for a while.   I have stuck in my mind that there was also a way to convert a ice box by using a mini frig system.   Have never found it though.   It was something about using the components of the frig: compressor, cold plate etc.   One thing was to insulate the heck out of it. 

    Anyone ever hear of this?

[Lynx]

Yes there is. A bit to much work for hte savings on cost.

[s/v Faith]

Yes there is. A bit to much work for hte savings on cost.

  Not too bad.  You can get a used dorm fridge on Craig's list for less then $30.  Installed refrigeration in a former ice box is $600 - $1000.  If you just want to have the beer cold for day sailing, and have dock power it can be a good mod.

  I do not have the link, but have seen it done (IIRC GOB had a story on it).  Basically you just carefully remove the compressor and coil from the box... and install the compressor outside your ice box, and the coil inside... maybe someone can find the article...

[ksmith]

Would be greatly appreicated.   I have a dorm size now.  However on a 27 Tartan it sure eats up space especially considering there is a nice size ice box built in. 

[Lynx]

Here is a great site with many links -

http://cruisenews.net/db/pagetemplate.php?cat_id=54

[Shawn T W.]

I read about this guy who converted his chest freezer into a chest fridge, since a freezer is much better insulated, it doesn't run so much. I'm sure you could find a small freezer to do this with. If you really need cold on your boat!

Here is the link http://mtbest.net/chest_fridge.html
Runs on pennies a day!

Shawn

[jotruk]

Great Idea Capt.K. I was thinking about converting the ice box on my Hunter to a fridge. this might be an idea to look into thanks

[rawsonnut]

I converted the ice box in my Rawson using a mini fridge and it is working great. I got the fridge for free so the price was right and it only took a few hours. The only problem I have is keeping it from freezing everything. The fridges only have an inch or so of insulation and I have 4 inches surrounding icebox. What a wonderful problem to have! Anyone with a few simple tools and a little extra space should have no problems, just be very careful with the tubing.

[sailorflo]

Hey Captk, that is close to the conversion that I'm going to try to do this month. Ive got that fridge that used to be on the dickerson, I'm going to convert it to the icebox on the Tartan . I will take pics of the process and post them.It will only run on AC but we have a good 750 watt inverter and the icebox on the Tartan is very well insulated. so I'm hoping that it will not have to run more that a few hours per day. If anyone can give input to keep me from ruining a good fridge please do so thanks to all with the many good ideas on this site.I have a 37 ft Tartan but the same things still apply to me as any other cruiser, save time,money for the real things in life COLD GROG!!!!!!

[skylark]

It is very easy to convert a 120V chest freezer to a fridge, just get a temperature controller:

http://www.northernbrewer.com/temp-control.html

The temp controller will turn the power on and off when the correct refrigerator temp is achieved.  You can program the on and off temps. Just plug the temperature controller in the wall and plug the freezer into the temperature controller. That's it.

I have the digital one, probably either one would work.  I drilled a hole through the side of the chest freezer and put the temp sensor through grommets.  It has been working fine for years.  Many other homebrewers have been using this system for years as well, it is very common.  Apparently this is a way to get a very high efficiency fridge for living off the grid as well.

[svsoutherncross]

Sorry to dredge up an old thread, but I was wondering if CapnK could tell me wether or not this "hack" is still aboard and operational. We just got back from our ICW trip, and have decided after 6 months of no refrigeration or ice (okay, we bought ice four times) that we want something small for our next trip. Just enough to keep fresh produce and meats from spoiling in a few days, as we spend the vast majority of our time away from places we can provision.

Also, if anyone has any data regarding power consumption it would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

[AdriftAtSea]

Probably still running...we'd have heard from CapnK if he lost his source of cold beer...

[Tim]

Probably still running...we'd have heard from CapnK if he lost his source of cold beer...

LOL