DIY refrigeration and repair

[ColdEH]

As far as I know , none . There may be a few additional programming perimeters that the Carel has , but nothing I would ever use .

Regards


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[a64pilot]

The STC-1000, 110VAC power supply required?

[ColdEH]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

The STC-1000, 110VAC power supply required?

Nope they run on either or, mine are all running at 12v actually more like 13.2 v from my Lifepo4 batteries.

Regards

[a64pilot]

I have one coming, I have been toying with the idea of having a fan to control fridge temp which is currently controlled by just a hole in the divider, Works, but I think the fan may give me an actual set temp

[ColdEH]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

I have one coming, I have been toying with the idea of having a fan to control fridge temp which is currently controlled by just a hole in the divider, Works, but I think the fan may give me an actual set temp

I use one via a relay controlling my heater fans with the sensor monitory the coolant temperature in the hydronic system . Works perfectly . Similar applications .

Regards




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[a64pilot]

How many amps will it handle directly, do you think it could hold .25 amp at 13 VDC?

[ColdEH]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

How many amps will it handle directly, do you think it could hold .25 amp at 13 VDC?

Specs say 10 amps at 12v

So I am sure .25 of an amp will not be a problem

STC1000 Temperature Controller (a beginner's guide)

Regards

[a64pilot]

One I bought says 12 VAC 50 to 60 Hz
I'm hoping that is incorrect, but it was only $10 with free shipping, so we will see.

[ColdEH]

Yep those are the ones . Same as mine . They are the cats meow .

Regards


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[jeepbluetj]

Originally Posted by rubbywilliams

You just need to find some reliable expert rather than trying own your own when you don't have the experience.

Then how does one gain experience? My son was not an expert at car repair. He blew the radiator on his car. Now he knows how to change a radiator. He now knows how to change spark plugs. etc...

I was not a HVAC expert at all when Sears and Roebuck handed me the keys to the van, the work tickets, and pretty much said "go fix what you can." (It was a college job, supposed to be a "helper" not a tech)

I bet I replaced 200 compressors during my college days. That was back in the time of taking a pair of diagonals and cutting a line to release refrigerant (R12 or R22 too).

In the internet age, information is easy to get. Only barrier to me for almost anything is cost/availability of tools. I won't pay for $300 worth of tools to do a $100 job. OTOH, I'm seriously considering a $1100 sewing machine to fix two sails which would cost me $800 or so to have fixed. Because I'd likely fix more stuff in the future with it.

[a64pilot]

I'm seriously considering one of those sewing machines too, and I have never sewn anything, but I do see the need to learn.
Oh and good tools, you buy once, then your Son inherits them. My kid is right now using tools I got in High School

[Vino the Dog]

Not at all interested in "you need to find a qualified..." opinions. That may be true for people without skills or technical aptitude, but refrigeration ain't rocket science. Boat is a CT 41 ketch that I have already spent 3 years full time on total refit. Have not found anything I could not do yet, and this will not be one.

I have a locker just big enough to take one of those cheap 3.5 cu. ft. mini fridges, if I cut it down 3", already done that. They are all plastic, copper, and aluminium and I know a hundred fishermen who get 3-5 years out of them for $100 and those guys spend more time at sea in one season than most sailors do in their entire life.


The box has been installed with added 2"+ inches insulation all around. Removed everything mechanical except the evaporator. Reconfigured the condenser to fit better in the slot next to the box and added fins to dissipate heat better. Now working on installing valves between each component, so each part can be replaced easily as it wears out.

The kind of experience I am looking for is;


Does epoxy stand up to head pressure if used to join aluminium to copper?
How important is it to make sure the compressor oil is matched to the refrigerant? (Yeah, I know the professionals say it is critical, but they say a lot of stuff that doesn't play out in practice.)
Does the system equalize well if you splice a capillary tube with a slightly larger tube between the spliced sections?


Anyone with this kind of experience, would love to hear you comments. Will be happy to share my experience once I get it up and running.


thanks all

[leftbrainstuff]

You can build your own refrigerators and freezers using standard marine refrigeration components.

I wouldn't bother using domestic components as they are junk and inefficient relative to the common marine kit.

If you're looking to save money then your options are very limited.

If you're looking to improve thermal performance then this is where you will see the biggest gains. Build a well insulated space, use good quality marine components and run it from solar and the house bank.

We recently repaired our Frigoboat/ Danfoss keel cooled fridge. The evaporator was blocked after 12 years of trusty service. Once you get some experience with the workings of these small charge / capillary systems they are simple to maintain.

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