I'm working on an idea in my head to either cool an entire bay or to put a cooler in a bay (resale candy - long story). This is for long term use. Before I burn too many brain cells I'm wondering if anyone has invented the wheel already.
Any experience?
It would seem to me that using coolers, maybe on a slide out, would be a lot simpler and more flexible than refrigerating an entire bay.
There is a guy in Quartzsite every year that has a insulated bay he sells stuff out of his bus he has 4 in foam and uses a 5000 btu window unit for cooling.
He told me he went with the window unit because if anything happen he could stop at WalMart and buy a new unit for under a 100 bucks side it in and be gone in a few minutes
Then he didn't need to spend all day looking for a service tech that would charge a couple hundred bucks
When I looked at the gauge on the outside it was below 50 degrees I guess that is alright for the goat cheese he was selling since I don't eat goat cheese or anything goat
Some have used window units to make walk in coolers by modifying the thermostat. Most candy would just have to be kept cool enough not to melt and not refrigerated.
You can build your own bay fridge / freezer using a Dan Foss system > http://www.isotherm-parts.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=4_10_60_63 (http://www.isotherm-parts.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=4_10_60_63)
Can I tear an old fridge apart and use the components to build the bay into a fridge? Maybe like that Danfos system
Quote from: Tikvah on August 11, 2015, 06:07:35 PM
Can I tear an old fridge apart and use the components to build the bay into a fridge? Maybe like that Danfos system
yes I have built computer rack coolers from fridge / freeze guts as well as window units.
Use a low temp Dayton ( -30 to 90°F (-34 to 32°C)) to control the compressor > http://www.grainger.com/ec/pdf/Dayton-Line-Voltage-Thermostats-OIPM.pdf (http://www.grainger.com/ec/pdf/Dayton-Line-Voltage-Thermostats-OIPM.pdf)
You can take a window unit and cut the lines to the evaporator and mount it where you need it then run new copper lines and reconnect it , evacuate it, and recharge it. So the hot part of the window unit can be remote to your chiller.
House type freezer and fridges since the mid 90's use R 134 use those components then you don't have to deal with special freons that require a certification you can buy 134 at Walmart, Auto Zone or about anywhere
Course Norcold and Engel make a 2.1 cu/ft 12v/120v chest freezer. I have one in my bus and it is really nice as a supplement to my 9 cu/ft NovaKool refer. Good Luck, TomC
Hi Tikvah,
In 2013 we refrigerated the front bay of this 07' XLII and insulated the entire curb
side bay. We used a 1/3 hp R-134A commercial condensing unit and a 4,000 btu
commercial 2 fan evaporator mounted in the ceiling of the bay. We have two kegs
and taps mounted on the outside of the bus just above the bay door. The bay door
was the hardest to insulate and to this day still condensates on the stainless..
This link shows the bus however, I still cant find the install pics. Sry..
https://www.facebook.com/atlanticcustomcoach/photos/pb.340297602657070.-2207520000.1439384018./618782058141955/?type=3&theater (https://www.facebook.com/atlanticcustomcoach/photos/pb.340297602657070.-2207520000.1439384018./618782058141955/?type=3&theater)
Nick-
We buy a TRUE condensing unit for the restaurants for replacement it come with everything but the evaporator just connect,charge and go, cheaper than repairs I pay less than 300 bucks for a new unit with a 5 year warranty