UPS for refrigerator

[MikeB]

Anyone familiar with a battery backup suitable to power a refrigerator?

I understand something with a true sine wave output is necessary because of the motor, but APC says they do not have anything suitable due to initial current draws.

Anyone know of anything that would be suitable?

 

[WayneW]

You probably won't find anything marketed as a UPS for refrigerators. Partly due to the compressor and its start-up current, but also because the refer is considered a long-term appliance that can tolerate short outages and a UPS is typically for shorter outages.

You might find something in the solar or alt energy fields sold as a whole house inverter.
http://www.solar4power.com/solar-power-trace-list.html

 

[Steve]

Being from the Land O' Hurricanes, I can tell you Wayne is right. A properly built and functioning refrigerator will hold its coolness for a long time if not opened, sometimes up to 24 hours. If you really need to keep a fridge powered you really need more of a generator but be careful that if you get a small one that it has a high enough peak to support the fridge start up.

 

[MikeB]

I agree about it not being very worthwhile, but it's not for me so I'm not the one who needs convincing.

Thanks!

 

[AutomatedOutlet]

Yep, refrigerators need more power than most UPS are designed for. One to fit that load might cost more than the refrigerator.

Another option, lol, buy an extra freezer and freeze blocks of ice in it. If you lose power, move the ice into the refrigerator!

 

[briankelly63]

I'd skip the UPS concept just get a sine wave inverter (if needed) that has a high enough capacity and a set of batteries. The refrig may be 6 feet high but the compressor is relatively small. The amount of batteries depends on that inrush current and how long you want to run it. get a clamp on, peak reading ac current meter and check out the current requirements....

Brian

http://www.amazon.com/Sunforce-11260-2500-...9064&sr=8-7

http://www.amazon.com/Sunforce-11240-1000-...9064&sr=8-1

 

[mdesmarais]

You could get a gas/electric fridge like for an RV, then you just need a 12V battery (and propane ;-) to run the fridge for a looong time.

 

[gatchel]

May I ask what you are trying to accomplish by putting a UPS on a fridge?

Are you having very short power outages, brownouts, etc.

If the compressor is already running a UPS might have enough to hold it through a brownout. It's the compressor inrush that is the problem when it starts.

If you are looking for longer backup you'd be better off with a small generator and an extension cord or a generator transfer panel.

 

[Xpendable]

I think what you need to be looking into is a whole-house generator with automatic startup.

 

[Kevin L]

I think what you need to be looking into is a whole-house generator with automatic startup.

That's what I have. Coupled with a 400 gal underground propane tank, I'm set for days if the wind blows too hard.

 

[MikeB]

May I ask what you are trying to accomplish by putting a UPS on a fridge?

It's not for me, but I believe they're just trying to extend the amount of time the fridge would stay running / things would stay at a certain temperature during a power outage.

I have them looking and generators and inverters, so thanks everyone for the help.

 

[signal15]

Just get one of these:

http://www.longevity-inc.com/listproducts_...-Generators.php

Super cheap. And Longevity, even though it's a chinese company, it pretty well regarded.