David Glenn

Hi Amanda.
I've been buying ($10.00ea) gutted (refrigerant and compressor removed) upright and chest freezers from a local recycling scraper for a couple of years now, just for airtight cool storage.
They work well for many things, chest types buried, act like a miniature root cellar, uprights work well for climate controlled storage for paint, epoxy, chemicals and glues in the shop as well as cool storage for my canned goods and smoked meats. Rodent proof air tight and insulated storage on the cheap, repurposing/recycling at the same time. (Refrigerator's work also, but not quite as well)

Most normal 110v circuits (normal in NA) and 15 or 30 amps will not kill you unless you have a pacemaker or something on board.  It will give you a nasty zap and you will say bad words but that's about the extent of actually contacting the current (aka angry pixies) Even 240v at a low amperage will hurt but once you start looking at 50amp or higher circuits, then it's dangerous.  Make sure you have the right tools and know the safety procedures

NOT
More people are killed by 110/120v ac in America than any other voltage.
It takes 100-200 milliamps or .1-.2 amps to be/can be fatal, get it across your chest/heart can cause ventricular fibrillation of the heart'
The amperage in any standard house circuit is more than enough to kill you under the right/wrong circumstances, I don't suggest fear of it, just healthy respect and research/learn how to handle it safely.

good luck and be safe

Just a few things: (Observations)
My 1 ton dually, F-350 w/7.3 diesel is more fuel efficient than a Toyota Prius when you consider fuel used / work performed, getting 10+ mpg pulling 16-18,000 lbs. (stock) this can be increased with lower emissions by introducing Hydrogen/HHO or propane to the mix for a more complete combustion.

Electric vehicles to save the planet ? not likely, due to environmentally damaging processes currently being used to gather/mine/refine materials, build them and the batteries, coupled with the lack of adequate generation ability to charge/power said vehicles (at this time)

Electric over fossil fuels, Absolutely. The technologies to produce cheap/free electricity have been around (and suppressed) since the 19th century this also goes for battery tech.
Well designed electric motors are far more efficient at turning energy in to mechanical work and far more powerful than their IC counterparts.
Once you understand electrical systems they are far less prone to breakdowns (and can be DIY fix it friendly) and can be built robust enough for any transportation application, a motor I'm working on to replace my diesel's, when done "should" produce 750+ fp of torque, and weigh in at less than 200# more than enough to replace my IC's and then some.
Batteries ? many different battery chemistries may lend them selves well to electric vehicles, my hope is to see a (hemp) Graphene based chemistry become available (4-8 times the energy density of Li-po) more environmentally friendly all the way around, in the mean time I'm using modified lead-alkali based for high energy density and faster charge time than Lead-acid.

Electrical generation ? Personally I'm a big fan of Nicola Tesla's resonance processes but there's lots of ways to generate electricity, everything from old school wind, solar, hydro to the many zero point and over unity devices, once we stop thinking in the box of what we've been told, energy is everywhere.

Enough for now, God bless and good luck with all of your endeavors.

You may consider the bottom line on the purpose you want the fridge for, I have taken to using non-functional fridges/freezers as (insulated) storage, originally for resins/paints in the shop then canned and dry goods for the rodent proof, controlled temperature, storage container. The one I put in the basement stays about 53 deg F (rodent proof veggie storage) and the ones in the shop stay in the mid 60s even in the hotter summer months (15 watt light bulb to keep resins from freezing in winter) Don't know that this is applicable or helps, good luck.
Oh and non-working fridges/freezers are cheap to free.

Anyone ever think about our old friend salt? Borate salts are used as a less toxic wood preservation with good effect, and wood structures in salt water last a long time if it not for those worms.
I'm taking dry posts and soaking them in a salt and boric acid solution and then letting them re-season at which time I plan coat the part to be buried with a water proofing of some type, maybe tar.
The exposed portions will be coated with paint, shellack or varnish, all helping to keep moisture out of the wood.
It may take a few years to give any data as to success or not.

David

It's been my experience that any light or noise that is a constant in an area, that caries no physical repercussions ie.. electrical shock. Soon become just part of the landscape and are soon ignored by the night critters. Blinking lights may be effective, I haven't tried them yet but since my predator problems tend toward coyote and cats (big) I'm leaning towards motion sensor lights and really powerful electric fences.
Good luck

P.S. Usually I find it's the skunks who like to dig up my gardens for grubs

David

Thanks folks, I recently built a live trap based on one I saw at the feed store ($85.00) $5.00 worth of hardware cloth and an hour or so and I feel like I might have a chance with these little buggers this year, have trapped 10 so far (ground squirrels). The pocket gophers, the rodenator sounds fun but not that practical for my gardens, am inclined to build a wind powered "Thumper" or two and see if the constant drumming will convince them to leave the area?
We'll see, I'll post pics and results as I go

David

Well now you really have my attention, the mad inventor in me is is busting with curiosity. Respect your non disclosure but please share what ever you can.
I'm going forward with my own design/build as much for the experience as for the power, will post designs and results as they happen.

Definitely envious
David

I agree whole heartedly, it's much easier with the support of others of like mind and intention.
Good luck

David