RogueRose
International Hazard
Posts: 1585
Registered: 16-6-2014
Member Is Offline
|
|
Small fridge (1.5-3 cu ft) compressor/cooling system - anyone know about these?
I've been trying to find out how these mini fridges work. I'm looking for basically the smallest fridges that use a compressor and work either with
110/220 or 12v (ideally 12v). I've looked for the parts lists for some of these models but most of the parts sites just list the unit as they are
probably less expensive to just replace.
What I'm looking for his a very small high PSI compressor and I am guessing that these fridge compressors are capable of a fairly high PSI similar to
their larger "cousins" that are used in standard fridges or AC units. I'd like to get a minimum of 200 PSI but ideally something like 400 PSI would
be ideal for the application. Flow does not need to be much as it is just used to fill a resevoir that is rarely depleted, so if it took 10-15 mins to
fill the small resevoir, that wouldn't be an issue.
I have a few 12v tire inflators, some better quality than others, and one is rated at max 200psi but I have a little bit of difficulty believing this
as it is basically the same as my 125 psi unit but is built a little better, so I guess it may be possible.
Now I was wondering if I could replace the motor on the 200psi unit with a motor from a power drill, an old 12 or 20v dewalt which has a motor much
more powerful & better quality than the small compressor - the problem is getting the correct gear for the drill motor drive shaft and possibly
mounting the motor on the compressor. The motor is about 2.5x the physical size of the compressor motor but the way it mounts it shouldn't be a
problem the way it connects to the compressor drive shaft.
IDK if adding a stronger motor would increase the PSI or if it would just increase the flow rate at the higher PSI where the smaller motor would be
under more strain. I would think that the compressor cylinder/seals and valves would be the limiting factor in increasing the max PSI output.
I know that a car's AC system uses a compressor and I'm wondering if it would be possible to add an additional compressor (with adequate PSI rating)
to a car which could be used for air. I know some cars have air (bag/piston) suspensions but IDK how they really work. This method seems maybe more
difficult and expensive than what I outlined above, but IDK a lot about adding something to the engine pulley system.
|
|
|
Ubya
International Hazard
Posts: 1232
Registered: 23-11-2017
Location: Rome-Italy
Member Is Offline
Mood: I'm a maddo scientisto!!!
|
|
too many questions at once
1)
| Quote: |
I've been trying to find out how these mini fridges work. I'm looking for basically the smallest fridges that use a compressor and work either with
110/220 or 12v (ideally 12v). I've looked for the parts lists for some of these models but most of the parts sites just list the unit as they are
probably less expensive to just replace. |
you can just search on ebay or aliexpress, there are many 120/220v compressors and also mini 12v DC compressors.
| Quote: |
What I'm looking for his a very small high PSI compressor and I am guessing that these fridge compressors are capable of a fairly high PSI similar to
their larger "cousins" that are used in standard fridges or AC units |
if they use the same refrigerant they use the same pressure, just a different (smaller) flow. pressures can reach 500 psi so they are good for your
project, but remember that some compressors use polyester oil (POE oil), moisture will turn it acidic and destroy the compressor, so make sure the
compressor you chose use mineral oil or any other kind of oil non moisture sensitive.
2)
| Quote: |
Now I was wondering if I could replace the motor on the 200psi unit with a motor from a power drill, an old 12 or 20v dewalt which has a motor much
more powerful & better quality than the small compressor - the problem is getting the correct gear for the drill motor drive shaft and possibly
mounting the motor on the compressor. |
| Quote: | | The motor is about 2.5x the physical size of the compressor motor but the way it mounts it shouldn't be a problem the way it connects to the
compressor drive shaft. |
so is it a problem or not the way they connect?
anyway, if your motor stalls at the maximum pressure, changing the motor with the power drill will help, but if the maximum pressure is related to the
max working pressure of the check valves a bigger motor won't help
3)
| Quote: |
I know that a car's AC system uses a compressor and I'm wondering if it would be possible to add an additional compressor (with adequate PSI rating)
to a car which could be used for air. I know some cars have air (bag/piston) suspensions but IDK how they really work. This method seems maybe more
difficult and expensive than what I outlined above, but IDK a lot about adding something to the engine pulley system. |
you wanted a small compressor, well a car ac system compressor is pretty bulky, and it hasn't a motor, so you would also need a bulky motor
---------------------------------------------------------------------
feel free to correct my grammar, or any mistakes i make
---------------------------------------------------------------------
|
|
|
XeonTheMGPony
International Hazard
Posts: 1636
Registered: 5-1-2016
Member Is Offline
Mood: No Mood
|
|
What exactly to you want to know in direct terms, < Refer tech
12v recips can get to very high pressures but need to be started unloaded, and pressure removed on restart.
[Edited on 8-6-2018 by XeonTheMGPony]
|
|
|
Herr Haber
International Hazard
Posts: 1236
Registered: 29-1-2016
Member Is Offline
Mood: No Mood
|
|
Maybe check the hotels near you if they have a broken mini-fridge ? Or since it's summer, many AC technicians will be servicing air conditioners. My
bet is that it should be easy to find parts / whole units at this time of the year.
|
|
|
![[*]](images/xpblue/default_icon.gif){kind=icon}
