Can You Run Your Refrigerator From Batteries?

 Original Article:

http://mic-roland.com/can-you-run-your-refrigerator-from-batteries/

                                                                (photo from BC Hydro)

by Mic Roland 

One of the big concerns during a power outage is that all the food in your fridge will spoil. To prevent that, preppers buy generators. Fridges used so much power that driving them from batteries was not practical…until now.

We bought a new fridge for lower power consumption (and for various non-prepper reasons, too). I was happily surprised that it was much lower in power consumption than its rating. So low, in fact, that I could run my new fridge off of my battery bank instead of my generator — a much nicer option for overnights and inclement weather.

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The tag inside my new fridge
Note the circle: 230 W

My old fridge drew 800 watts at regular running. It drew closer to 1,100 as a start up spike. My battery bank, with 35 AmpHours available (or 420 watt-hours) could run my old fridge for maybe a half an hour. Not too useful. My new fridge said it uses 230 watts. At face value, that’s almost a quarter of the usage — worth doing.

You Can Live Without Refrigeration - Here's How

How Long to Run a Generator for a Refrigerator During a Power Outage

 Original Article

Author: Alison Ingleby

Most of us would class our refrigerator as an essential item to keep running during a power outage. When calculating what size home generator you need, you may assume you need to keep your refrigerator and freezer constantly running.

But that doesn’t have to be the case. If the power goes off for thirty minutes, the food in your fridge won’t spoil. Depending on various conditions, you may only need to run your refrigerator intermittently to keep your food cool.

KEEP FOOD COOL IN SUMMER

Original Article

from Preparedness Advice Blog by admin

 

Here is a simple way to keep food cool in the summer.  I found this in an old book on farming.  A plastic or metal barrel or a waterproofed wood box could be used in place of the wooden barrel.
A very convenient and serviceable place to keep dairy products may be formed by sinking a large barrel in the ground.  A shady spot should be chosen, or the heat of the sun will affect the temperature.
Fill in around the barrel with small stones, gravel and sand, dampened in order to maintain coolness.

 Construct a box around and above the top of the barrel, and bank up with solid earth, preferably clay.  This drains off the water when it rains. It also makes the bottom of the barrel farther down from the top of the opening, which further promotes coolness.  Next, shape a light, inner lid to place on top of the barrel, and then make a strong, hinged lid for the box, and arrange it so it may be fastened down tightly.

Sprinkle a little dampened sand on the bottom of the barrel, and your little barrel cellar is ready for use.  By being careful several vessels may be arranged one above the other in this handy little receptacle.  Air out occasionally to prevent mold and odors from collecting.

Howard

Tip of the Day: Zeer Pot/Clay Pot Fridge

Original Article

from TEOTWAWKI Blog by TEOTWAWKI Blog

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Need to cool down some brewskies after the collapse? How about keep food from rotting? Medicine from expiring? Ancient tech and simple science combine in the zeer pot. Pretty cool!