Neera Nagero

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.

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.

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.

I want a tiny ice box for my tiny house. Came across this on FB Marketplace.
Doesn't look in perfect shape. Any feedback on whether this could work as is or if it could be fixed up? Is it worth $100?

I am not sure what to look for in an ice box as I have never shopped for one

Thanks!

thomas rubino wrote:Hi Neera;
My concern is just how durable the bottom of a cooler would be with a human standing/ sitting in it?  (you must be very petite to even consider it)
A cut off plastic 55 gal barrel with a hose bib drain might do the job?
You could build a cedar board surround to hide the ugly  blue barrel.

Thanks! I may have to think about how to bolster the bottom, but yes, I also am very petite. Thanks for your suggestion! I am a bit attached to the cooler idea because it's of perfect size to fit under my bed and pull out when I need it / double as storage when I don't. I have very little space so I have to be creative if I want special amenities like a bath tub in my tiny house.

I wasn't sure in what category I should put this post. Please correct me if it would be better placed in a different category.

I got the idea to use an old cooler as a bathtub in my tiny house. I have limited space and this is something I could pull out to use as needed.

Question is, is installing a drain valve on a pre-existing cooler a good option? I'd want something that would hold up and work well. Not sure if a DIY drain might wind up being subpar in some way.

I have been looking on Craigslist / Marketplace but don't know if I should hold out for something that already has a drain. So far, I've only managed to find ones without.

Thanks!

I think I'm going to go with this one: https://www.westmarine.com/buy/whale-pumps--gusher-mkiii-cabinet-mount-foot-pump-left-handed--P002509222 . I was happy to see that it pumps up to 7 feet.

The well pump would have looked cool in a retro way, but it is a bit big for my tiny kitchen. Also with this one, I can install a normal faucet with it. That means the needed stuff will be there should anyone wish to change to an electric pump down the line (without new holes in the counter and then being left with other holes from removing the well pump).

Oh, and I think I'm going to get the Eccotemp portable hot water heater should I ever need a bunch of hot water fast. Otherwise I don't use hot water that much and can use my kettle as needed.

I appreciate all your suggestions!

Melissa Ferrin wrote:My great-grandmother's house had a pump like the one pictured here at her kitchen sink. Unfortunately, I had just turned 7 when she died so I can't tell you much about how it worked, but I'm pretty sure the well wasn't exactly below her sink as there was another pump outside the house that connected to the same well.

Cool! Thanks for sharing.

craig howard wrote:That hand pump needs to be right over the water source right?
A rod goes down to  a pump in the cistern or tank?
Like any other hand operated well pump.

Asking because you said your water source is 5ft away.
I don't think that can be a sideways 5ft.

I still see a few of those at flea markets for lawn ornaments.
That would look great near the sink.

Thanks, I do think it would look great! And looks like it just might do the trick :)

Douglas Alpenstock wrote:A manual RV pump could work, depending on how far down the tank is. The site linked above doesn't list the maximum height the pump can draw. Usually with RV's it's perhaps 5 feet from the tank to the counter

Another option might be a pitcher pump designed for shallow wells and cisterns.
https://www.leevalley.com/en-ca/shop/garden/water-and-irrigation/water-pumps/10380-cast-iron-pitcher-pump?item=PD710

Thanks! My tank will be about 5 feet away so I just might get away with it. The well pump is something to consider. Does this pump water faster than a little RV foot pedal pump? If so, that might be a good thing. For the times a lot of water is needed fast, a foot pedal could be laborsome.