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Princelake
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# Posted: 16 Oct 2022 09:20am
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I see someone is selling a propane fridge locally. It’s a unique fridge and a small 24†wide model. It looks a bit older the white plastic is yellowing. If I purchase it I’ll take it to a propane guy to look it over before using. What I’m concerned about if it’s vented or not. Can I vent a nonvented unit? Things I should look for since it’s used.
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FishHog
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# Posted: 16 Oct 2022 06:48pm
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Your not going to go wrong with a Unique Fridge. They are very basic, watch a youtube video on cleaning the burner (sometimes some rust falls on and affects the burn). Its a simple job your going to want to know how to do as you might need to from time to time.
After that, hook it up, test the connections for leaks and if not should be good to go. A propane guy is just going to charge you money for something you should learn to do anyway, they are very basic.
I would ask the seller to prove it works, as in have it running when you show up and then just save your money from having someone else "look at it".
as for the venting and unvented fridge, unless they sell a vent kit, probably not a good idea. I just run my unvented one in a back room that is separate from the cottage.
I'm sure it can be done, but they add a lot of heat inside, which is bad in the summer and obviously a potential CO risk.
Get the model number and contact unique directly as ask them if its vented or if they sell a kit to do so.
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ICC
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# Posted: 16 Oct 2022 06:58pm
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I would think the seller should be able to have it operating on propane if the fridge is any good and is serious about selling. If you took it to a propane shop that is the first thing they would do after you agreeing to pay them some fee.
It is possible for a propane fridge, no matter the brand, to have been abused and not working anymore. Or to be simply worn out, something gone wrong. But if it is hooked up and operating it should be cold and the freezer should freeze. I have a Servel that is 25 years old and still worked fine last year, the last time I tried it.
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silverwaterlady
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# Posted: 16 Oct 2022 09:42pm
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The propane refrigerator should have a CSA sticker and be vented to the outside to be legal in Canada.
Nobody will work on this refrigerator if it does not have a CSA sticker because it’s illegal to do so.
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ICC
Member
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# Posted: 16 Oct 2022 10:31pm - Edited by: ICC
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Good point!
I believe it was 2010 that the Canadian law took effect, maybe not all provinces at that time, bit it did expand. I think if we were to check, we will find the law applies to new installations. Pre-existing, non renovated installations were okay; grandfathered in. Buying a used fridge and installing it in a different location is legally a no-no. Likely not okay with insurance companies either. Probably it is not legal to add venting to a fridge that never had one. No proper label.
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silverwaterlady
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# Posted: 17 Oct 2022 12:28am - Edited by: silverwaterlady
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Any propane appliances or propane heat stoves that do not have the CSA label used in a cabin/home void a insurance policy.
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Princelake
Member
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# Posted: 17 Oct 2022 07:04am
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I went to look at it the one side looks like it was hit with hockey pucks or something lol. I didn’t see a csa sticker anywhere and the seller mentioned in was in their camp that they bought from Americans.
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Brettny
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# Posted: 17 Oct 2022 07:39am
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Here a propane fridge even a beat to hell one are few and far between. I saved the money and put in more solar capacity. Now if my fridge goes dead it's either a $200 trip to a big box store or $50 on the used market. Lots and lots of mini fridges for sale for cheap here. Theres about 5 colleges within 30min drive.
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gcrank1
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# Posted: 17 Oct 2022 09:50am - Edited by: gcrank1
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Same here with the University of WI in Madison. Every class change results in fridges in St Vincents, Goodwill and the HfH Re-Store.
Fwiw, I discovered that running the 'apt size' 5cf 120vac fridge on my little 600W array pretty much ate up my old 12v LA bat bank with 24hrs use. I had to shut it off when we went to bed or have a very low bat-bank in the morning. I know my 'new' LFP's have more amp hours available but depletion is still depletion; ya gotta put back in more than ya take out at some point and 2 gray/rainy days doesnt do much.
My conclusion was that I needed at least a 1000W (better 1200W) array for enough charge-back and likely more LFP's for enough bat-bank for 3 days 'autonomy'. (duh, pretty much just like the 'solar worksheets' say).
So, we use a 'Yeti clone' ice chest that has worked out marvelously. It stays at the cabin. For long stays I take another chest full of re-freeze bottles from home.
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