Shopsmith Forums

My off-grid endeavors.
My wood shop will remain to be on-grid, but my personal life, will be limited!

I have decided against doing this ideal, altogether. I found that by using ice, is cost prohibitive.

I will now build myself a cooler, such as what the man on you tube, names himself as 'thebossoftheswamp' built for his off-grid cabin, of which can be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w68z-YJvei4

I already have most of what I need to build this and it makes perfect 'commonsense' to build!

Why not a propane powered refrigerator?

Mike

Mike907 wrote:Why not a propane powered refrigerator?

Mike

Propane, will likely be my next purchase. But since, they are not readily available (at least, not a.s.a.p.) then, I shall try this method!

Personally I think you are nuts or just bored and need projects. If you look at your real utility bills, and electricity cost if you have a frig it is cheap to run, and the heat in the transfer like a stove in the winter time is heat into your living area. I have done this for a living, and as a former utility gas and electric employee, insulation is the cheapest way to go, then tight windows, eliminate outside air infiltration. Turn off lights when you leave the area, even though that is a minimal, cut back on water heater temp, and if electric turn it off at the breaker till about 20 minutes b4 a shower, then turn it off after and do your dishes if by hand, if a dish washer leave it on till after they are done washing, then flip the breaker for the water heater off, you will still have warm water for hand and face washing, till your next shower. It works the same as turning your heat down at night and when you are gone, the Delta effect.

ERLover wrote:Personally I think you are nuts or just bored and need projects. If you look at your real utility bills, and electricity cost if you have a frig it is cheap to run, and the heat in the transfer like a stove in the winter time is heat into your living area. I have done this for a living, and as a former utility gas and electric employee, insulation is the cheapest way to go, then tight windows, eliminate outside air infiltration. Turn off lights when you leave the area, even though that is a minimal, cut back on water heater temp, and if electric turn it off at the breaker till about 20 minutes b4 a shower, then turn it off after and do your dishes if by hand, if a dish washer leave it on till after they are done washing, then flip the breaker for the water heater off, you will still have warm water for hand and face washing, till your next shower. It works the same as turning your heat down at night and when you are gone, the Delta effect.

This is correct. My wife and I live in a small (1000 sq ft) 2 bdrm home that was built about 80 years ago. We have lived here for 36 years. Our winter temps get into the teens to 30's at night, and 40's to 60's in the day except when storms/fronts go through where we see wild variations. I have built window covers (I am slowly replacing them with new ones being made with my SS stuff ) , these are finished wood products of solid wood that fit into the windows. We have double insulated our walls, etc etc. No one believes me, but we actually spend only 150 to 200 dollars a YEAR to heat. It can be done, and it will take more, and cost more of course "up north", but still. Most people I know here in town spend that much a month during the winter.

FWIW

rjent wrote:Our winter temps get into the teens to 30's at night, and 40's to 60's in the day except when storms/fronts go through where we see wild variations.
FWIW

I'm so envious. My winter temps need a "-" sign. My shop is lucky to stay over 30 in the winter.

Beave2012 wrote:

rjent wrote:Our winter temps get into the teens to 30's at night, and 40's to 60's in the day except when storms/fronts go through where we see wild variations.
FWIW

I'm so envious. My winter temps need a "-" sign. My shop is lucky to stay over 30 in the winter.

LOL, friends that visit from the "cold places" run around during the day in short sleeve shirts .....

Once a decade or so, it will go below 0, but not often .....

Please explain 'double' insulated walls.

JPG wrote:Please explain 'double' insulated walls.

Normal insulation, then we furring strip on the inside over the sheet rock or inside stucco, put 2 inch foam between the furring strips and then sheet rock over that then paint or wallpaper. Amazing what the foam does for sound and what the window covers do for heat loss. Nice day, take the window covers off. Takes less time than converting from a table saw to a drill press .....