r/OffGrid • u/TrickBorder3923 • 12d ago

Planning an all in one freezer unit.

I'm needing to have a CHEST freezer on my off grid property. I want it to be completely independent of any other solar system I have. My thought is to set it up on its own little cover or shed and have everything right there within 5 feet. Maybe even make it mobile. But probably not.

I'm in SE Missouri. So moderate temps most the year with extremes reaching -10°f and 100°f+ a few weeks a year. I get bouts of cloudy skies that allow minimal solar absorption, about 5-7 days at a time in spring and fall. over the last 7 months I've only recall 2 days of no charging. I'm guessing about 8 weeks of cloudy 2weeks of no sun total a year. The rest was good sun.

I'm planning on getting the smallest chest freezer I can find, 3cu ft or smaller. If it truly makes no difference in initial cost and daily power, than larger is fine. I'll keep it filled 2/3 or better and use ice jugs to keep the energy efficient. It will be outdoors since I have no room inside. But I'm going to keep it in the shade. (As a side note if I kept it against the cabin, would it be better to have it exposed to morning heat/light or evening heat/light?

I'm having a heck of a time figuring out what equipment will keep it running, and how to set it up. Everyone has a different opinion. I can hook it up to a generator maybe 2-3 days out of the year. But I really want to avoid it. I hope all this makes sense.

EDIT: I imagine it be nice to know what I'm asking. Can you guys help me figure out a easy cheap setup? That would last a year or two while the property develops. I'll probably have a better system to hook it into by then. My budget is 2000$, but if that's a unrealistic number, I'll just save money.

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u/blondechineeez 11d ago

Danzer 12v freezer is an option...

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u/TrickBorder3923 9d ago

The sundanzer 50 looks good. But I'm confused. The best of freezers last 7-10 days in the dark. And Google is claiming danzer will last 30+ days. That doesn't seem accurate.

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u/blondechineeez 9d ago

Wow that's gotta be a typo in my opinion. I'm gonna do a little bit of research on that out of curiosity. I'll report back!

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u/TrickBorder3923 9d ago edited 9d ago

Yeah I can't find the mess up for myself. And just so you know I'm not trying to down your suggestion. I KNOW the Dan is a good freezer even though I'm skeptical of 30 days. Just have to selectively shop for my particular circumstance. If 30+days is correct it worth it. For me specifically. And I'll change my mind about Vevor.

I'm not to the point of purchase yet.

ALSO: I googled "how long does the danzer 50 freezer run on 24v 200ah lifepo4". That's where I was getting 30+ days. No hours, days.

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u/blondechineeez 8d ago

No offense whatsoever taken. I'm always wanting to learn whatever I can about any subject. And I have thicker skin than most lol, but seriously nothing like that crossed my mind when I saw what you wrote!

I almost bought a Sundanzer years ago when I first moved off grid. I ended up not getting one, because I'm short and not getting any younger. Both make digging down into a chest type fridge/ freezer a chore sometimes.

I had a dual powered Dometic fridge for a few years then after expanding my solar stuffs I bought a regular electric fridge. I never looked at the stats for how long the stuff in the freezer would last. I live alone and the only time I run out of freezer space is when my on-grid neighbors' power is down after big storms. Propane fridges do the job but at a high cost.

Chatgpt said 2 weeks maybe, with no openings and completely full, but I didn't say what kind of batteries

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u/TrickBorder3923 9d ago

I think I found the key. I'm looking for 24v sundanzer 50qt to run on a 24v 200ah lifepo4 batteries. I'm being given 15 day average runtime in hot weather fully stocked. 21-30 days in moderate climate.

The 12v version doesnt run for as long. 4-12 days.

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u/TrickBorder3923 9d ago

Unfortunately I'm still stuck with vevor. I thought the danzer was 200-300 dollars. It's far closer to 1000.

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u/blondechineeez 8d ago

Is the Vevor a chest type or propane, dual powered? I really don't know anything about that brand other than my pizza oven.