Date:         Mon, 27 Jul 2009 15:16:54 -0800
Reply-To:     colorworks@GCI.NET
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Troy <colorworks@GCI.NET>
Subject:      Re: Vitrfrigio install report
Comments: To: Richard A Jones <jones@colorado.edu>
Content-type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset=iso-8859-1; reply-type=original

Hi Richard:

Well, I installed one last year as well. Pictures of my set-up are on Karl's
site. I did some tests over about six hours at about 70°, and then just
picking up data from the list. I don't doubt your own figures, but I can say
my fridge runs about 15 minutes out of an hour at 70° on average.  Once
again, in a real-world application, the fridge is not going to run for a
week, and again, that's really all I was suggesting. I will get off my
soapbox now, and get to cooling some Häagen-Dazs bars-- after a three hour
cool down of course;)

Troy



> Troy wrote:
>> The fridge consumes 2.8 amps per hour. The average usage is somewhere
>> around
>> 20 minutes, perhaps 15 minutes if the temperatures are on the cool side,
>> more if it's hot.  2.8 divided by three is close to 1 amp. I think it's a
>> reasonable assumption based on the feedback I've gotten from people who
>> own
>> these fridges.
>
> I installed a Vitri in July '08, so have used it for a year.
> Hot temps and cold temps.  With the Vitri thermostat set to
> about "5 am" the fridge typically runs about 4 minutes, then
> shuts off for a variable amount of time, depending on the
> ambient temperature.
>
> When it is HOT--90++ degrees, the fridge runs 4 minutes and
> waits 8 minutes, so runs 1/3 of the time.  1/3 x 2.8 amps
> is where the ~1 amp/hr comes from.  That is worst case--
> 24 amps per day, worst case.
>
> When it is cool-- <50 degrees--it runs 4 minutes and waits
> 35-45 minutes, so that would be around 7 amps per day.
>
> The fridge temp doesn't seem to vary much with the thermostat
> setting--but the freezer temp does.  See:
> http://jones.colorado.edu/VW/Vitrifrigo/VitrifrigoTemps.txt
>
> The above numbers are not theory--they are my observations.
> My current *theory* is that instead of spending time arguing
> about power consumption, you should spend the time INSTALLING
> and USING a Vitri.  I think you'll then agree that it one of the
> best mods to a Westy possible.  ;-)
>
> Richard
>