Feedback re: my crazy new solar plus ice box idea

Off grid living is often experimental, it seems. Can't hurt to post and be open to advice from those who may have more experience with these things than me (I have ideas but little practical experience). So many smart and creative people on here. Thanks you!

*My ice box idea*

I want to minimize electrical fields in my tiny house. I was exploring the idea of a vintage ice box for off grid and got feedback that none of them would likely be all that efficient. Perhaps best to build my own.

Rather than build one from scratch, I got the idea that perhaps I could turn a smallish upright freezer (used) into a little ice box of sorts? That way it would be really well insulated. I could just section off part of the top to make it a separate compartment for ice. Perhaps freeze it in a bucket and run a drain to a collection pan at the bottom of the fridge.

*My solar idea*

I want my solar inverter, etc. away from the house to keep electrical fields at a distance.

I had the idea that I could hook a mini freezer (one cubic foot or so) up to my solar setup away from the house. Perhaps build it a teeny tiny shed to protect from the elements. If I always have it full and rarely open the door but to take out an ice block, I imagine it would run very efficiently and take very little solar energy. That's what I'm aiming for as I wish to have a very minimal solar system.

Hi Neera;
Almost all freezers and refrigerators are not very well insulated.
A few have up to 4" of foam but most do not.  
Some can be helped by attaching foam board on the outside of the freezer, but care must be taken not to insulate the hot spot.
The "Molded" coolers like the very expensive Yeti would make a better storage box as an ice chest cooler.

Costs are high, but 12-volt compressor refrigerators /freezers with 4" insulation are available.
Another option is to build your own box with a danfrost 12 vt compressor and 4" foam to run directly from a 12 vt battery charged by solar.
I run a full-size 12-volt chest freezer off of 2 six volt batteries.

For your freezer shed idea, I would not use my house's solar power I would give the shed its own panel and battery.

Thank you, I appreciate it. That's all good to know. Glad I asked!

thomas rubino wrote:Hi Neera;
Almost all freezers and refrigerators are not very well insulated.
A few have up to 4" of foam but most do not.  
Some can be helped by attaching foam board on the outside of the freezer, but care must be taken not to insulate the hot spot.
The "Molded" coolers like the very expensive Yeti would make a better storage box as an ice chest cooler.

Costs are high, but 12-volt compressor refrigerators /freezers with 4" insulation are available.
Another option is to build your own box with a danfrost 12 vt compressor and 4" foam to run directly from a 12 vt battery charged by solar.
I run a full-size 12-volt chest freezer off of 2 six volt batteries.

For your freezer shed idea, I would not use my house's solar power I would give the shed its own panel and battery.

And I just see now that you were recommending a DIY freezer (at first I thought you meant to add foam to an existing 12 volt freezer). I've looked at those 12 volt freezers but they were always cost prohibitive. That's a great suggestion!

Neera Nagero wrote:Thank you, I appreciate it. That's all good to know. Glad I asked!

thomas rubino wrote:Hi Neera;
Almost all freezers and refrigerators are not very well insulated.
A few have up to 4" of foam but most do not.  
Some can be helped by attaching foam board on the outside of the freezer, but care must be taken not to insulate the hot spot.
The "Molded" coolers like the very expensive Yeti would make a better storage box as an ice chest cooler.

Costs are high, but 12-volt compressor refrigerators /freezers with 4" insulation are available.
Another option is to build your own box with a danfrost 12 vt compressor and 4" foam to run directly from a 12 vt battery charged by solar.
I run a full-size 12-volt chest freezer off of 2 six volt batteries.

For your freezer shed idea, I would not use my house's solar power I would give the shed its own panel and battery.

If you just want ice for the ice box, you might want to look into countertop ice makers, rather than a tiny freezer. I've never compared the two, but it might be worth looking at.

My husband and I work in town, so we bring bottles of water to work to freeze. Then we don't need to worry about it at home 😁