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I'm curious if anyone can help me out with this. I've spent the last year reading up on solar energy, but admit it's still quite confusing. I have a 5 cu/ft freezer that requires up to 13 amps and 115 volts to operate. Can and/or how can a system be created to run said freezer for a few days in case of a power outage? Are there any known specifications available for a novice to DIY (do it yourself) or is it even feasible to DIY? I'm quite sure most of you are very busy, but any help on this problem would be greatly appreciated. Thanks everyone.
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You don't, You purchase a proper chest type Freezer that runs native on 24 volts. -
surely you must wish to know more including some "Brands" of these products of which I speak? How do you expect to discover the solution you wish for.Comment
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Now, I understand the components required for a solar system, but the problem I'm encountering involves the math and conversions. I can't figure out the number and wattage of the panels that would be required to run a piece of equipment with such power requirements. Again, the freezer needs almost 13 amps and at least 115 watts to operate. Thanks everyone.Comment
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If you are planning to use an 110AC powered with an inverter, your batteries will need to be more than 3X the size needed for a 24v chest type freezer. 13 amps according to the label on the refrigeration device it's self? That's 1440 watts. I doubt it draws that much power but for a few seconds at start up. If you insist on trying using an inverter, You need real measurements, use a Kill A Watt power consumption monitor to get real numbers. the difference could be a couple TON's of lead acid batteries.Comment
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that helps a lot. now you have to compensate for running a 110v refrigeration compressor from batteries and an inverter. Keep in mind that where a compressor may run a 12 min cycle on grid power, inverter power may require a 20+ min run for the same recovery. this gets even worse with 12v inverters. refrigeration runs much better on 24 and 48 volt inverters. Yes it can be done with 12v inverter but at great cost and hard lesson learning experiences. Don't forget to check that water.Comment
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The technology involved in this is utterly fascinating to me. I wish I could get a more detailed grasp of it, but I'm not the most technical savvy, unless it has to do with computer hardware. This is a project, hobby or entertainment venture and I'm willing to spend money to do this. It's definitely not for an attempt at saving any. There is so much damned information out there on what panels you should use, the wattage involved and so on. When it comes to controllers, inverters and batteries needed, I understand more .. but in the end, I would really like to find a schematic of some type detailing the construction of a solar generating system after I understand the power I need to run this freezer (if it's even possible).
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Do you need the freezer as an actual freezer? or are you willing to convert it to a fridge by using a thermostat controlled outlet? Using it as a fridge can use as little as 1.5amps for 5-20 minutes an hour (depending on your rooms temp) making the system size required not as large as one might think. The inverter would need to be able to handle the startup however.Comment
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If this is for emergencies only then you are better off running the freezer off a generator instead of solar. Solar is not something you can store away and bring out when needed for this application.
Better off to get a generator or use the system full time. But using it full time expect it's operating costs to be more than the cost of grid power.
Now if you still want solar. There are 3 thoughts on how to do this. First is get a regular freezer like you're looking at and build an inverter based system to power it. The cost of the freezer will be less with this system but all the solar parts will cost more for the system to support it. So yes your first step is to get a kill-a-watt meter and get accurate numbers on daily KWH usage.
Second thought is to get a freezer designed for off-grid solar. The freezer will cost you more butt the rest of the system will cost less. It will also have less maintenance costs down the road with the smaller battery bank and no inverter.
Third thought is forget electricity altogether and use propane. Many go this route as did I for our cabin.
Research each and go with the best for your situation.
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I sometimes have difficulty separating what I can do vs what others can. This will be a theoretical solution. I run a 7CF freezer as a fridge. Starting current is 123A and running it is 9A at 12V. This runs off a car battery and a 2000W Harbor Freight MSW inverter with fans disconnected to save power (I bought a number of thee defective converters for about $15 each). It runs about 15 minutes at a time and only starts when battery is near full charge, 13.8V.
The discount emergency system is a 2000W inverter located at the battery in the car. A timer lets the inverter turn on for 15 minutes and off for 30 minutes (these combination adjustable timers are sold). A voltage monitor prevents startup if the voltage is low. A cheap charge controller is used with a 200W panel.
I initially had a system like this. A LM431 monitored the voltage and that triggered the on timer for 10 minutes. There was minimal solar panels and a charge controller. That was it, the system ran at full bore as long as it had enough battery voltage. No need for a temp controller as you could never get it cold enough. You could now do it easily with a UNO for less than $10 forming a charge controller, voltage monitor and timer . With 200W of solar panels and inverter the total cost would be less than $350.
A generator would be more practical since a freezer can go for long periods of time not powered. I suspect there is also a fridge component to this.
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