Energy Matters Forums

[wlb]

Our 24VDC eutectic fridge is no longer required.
We've been using it off-grid for about 10 years. It consists of a pair of Ozefridge marine units with Danfoss compressors. http://www.ozefridge.com.au/
I modified a large conventional 480 litre 2-door Kelvinator fridge/freezer, removing the original compressor, condenser, and evaporators, added more insulation on the back and underneath, and then I installed one of the large Ozefridge ice tanks in the freezer compartment and the other in the fridge compartment. Each unit is completely independent of the other, so you can set the desired temperatures for the fridge and freezer compartments independently. In fact you need not run the freezer compartment as a freezer if you wish.
Being basically split systems, the compressor units are located outside the house and the insulated copper refrigerant pipes come through the wall and into the cabinet, like a split system air-con. Because the condensers and compressors are outside the house, the heat removed from the fridge cabinet is not released in the house, so the cabinet can be built into kitchen cabinetry with additional insulation added on all sides.
These Ozefridge systems are air-cooled by a small computer-type fan, but they also have the option to use water cooling. I have an unused water cooling kit, spare cooling fans, and a complete unused spare compressor unit available.
Because it is a split system, to relocate it the refrigerant lines need to be disconnected and some refrigerant will be lost. Therefore, when reinstalling it you will need the services of a refrigeration mechanic to regas the systems.
Because this is a full-size, heavy domestic fridge cabinet, it will need to be collected. It cannot be shipped. We are near Warragul in West Gippsland, VIC.

The asking price is $1,100.
This is a fraction of what it cost to build, let alone the value of the spare parts. But we have had 10 years good service from it.
If interested, please contact me for more technical information and photos, or if you wish to inspect it. It is still in use so you can see it in operation.

[wlb]

An important point that I forgot to mention.

Although we have the fridge installed like a split air-con system, with the Ozefridge compressor/condenser units outside the house, this isn't essential. If you use the water-cooling pump, you can install the compressor/condenser units in a cupboard beside the fridge for example, and run the water hoses for the remote cooling system outside. The heat from the fridge is then transferred outside the house that way.

The main advantage of the separate compressor/condenser units in a low energy off-grid house is the ability to install the fridge cabinet in a recess in the kitchen and add a lot of extra external insulation around it. You can't off course do this with a conventional fridge that relies on air-cooling for its built-in compressor and condenser.

[wlb]

Or make an offer for the fridge on its own. (i.e. Without the spare Ozefridge compressor unit)

[wlb]

Still available.
And didn't miss a beat during our 41 degree day yesterday. (The compressors are outdoors)

[wlb]

Will consider any offers. It is too good to go to waste.

[australsolarier]

i think your freezer system is too complicated to dismantle and then install again.

[wlb]

On the contrary. It's actually very simple. I designed it that way. I built it in the shed then moved it into the house and simply connected up the compressors. The refrigerant lines are flexible. You can even move the fridge out from the wall to clean behind it, if necessary. I designed all the electrics to plug in. Its current location in the house was to be temporary and I was going to move it into the new kitchen in the house extension that never eventuated.

[davidg]

I considered it, but unfortunately for us it has a huge drawback, that being it's 24v.

Your idea is excellent, the function I'm sure is also equally as good, but......... It's a one off the components you used, are they or new versions of them available readily still?

I almost decided to much the same at one stage, however in the end for house when we build it the solution will be based around commonly available fridge system options using the same way commerical fridge systems are done, it's much the same concept as yours but done the way a regular fridgie would expect to find a system. I have assume it may not be me that has fix it eventually.

Sorry.

[wlb]

Hi David,

It is built using Ozefridge marine refrigeration systems from near Cobram. They've been building them for years, originally in South Australia. They are fitted to yachts all around the world. Mine runs Danfoss (Dannish) compressors, but the current models use a similar alternative because Danfoss stopped making them a few years ago. They run on 12Vdc, 24Vdc, or 240Vac when it's available on the yacht.
The back-up and support from Ozefridge is exceptional. http://www.ozefridge.com.au/

The compressor systems are external to the fridge, and the connections all look exactly like what a refrigeration mechanic would expect to see. It's just like working on a mini split air-con until.

Warwick

[wlb]

Just noticed a typo in my previous post. It should of course be Danish, not Dannish.
(I thought there used to be an edit function for existing posts)