12v Ice Maker

[Captn_Black]

Originally Posted by two-rocks

It takes a long time to ramp up the ice production. It will take you most of the day to make the ice you need. Thus you have used a day in the process. And your two days is now one. You’re running in place using 2x the energy.

You got a citation for that buddy? I don't see any source online that agrees with you.

[two-rocks]

Originally Posted by Captn_Black

Can I get recommendations for a suitable machine,

I guess this was not a real question?

[Captn_Black]

Originally Posted by two-rocks

I guess this was not a real question?

The title was "12v Ice Maker", what part of that didn't you understand?

[Pelagic]

I would think.that making a fridge/freezer unit capable of freezing the Japanese style sealed round ice trays is a more versatile use of energy for refrigeration.

We have 8 of those plastic trays with vented snap covers for ice expansion, that each makes 16 large round ice balls per tray.

They stack and interlock 4 high/2 wide in a sealed plastic container and we harvest 128 balls the diameter of about a quarter every 2 to 3 days

We pop them out into a large lock&lock container and refill trays in 5 minutes. Container is full after 2 harvests.
We never run out of ice and those 2 ice containers helps to quickly pull down temp of unfrozen foods, we want to freeze.

[Captn_Black]

Originally Posted by two-rocks

I guess this was not a real question?

Anyway, it was fun playing with you, hopefully you learnt that you are not as smart as you think you are, but I'm done now and going to block you. Good luck!

[Captn_Black]

Originally Posted by Pelagic

I would think.that making a fridge/freezer unit capable of freezing the Japanese style sealed round ice trays is a more versatile use of energy for refrigeration.

We have 8 of those plastic trays with vented snap covers for ice expansion, that each makes 16 large round ice balls per tray.

They stack and interlock 4 high/2 wide in a sealed plastic container and we harvest 128 balls the diameter of about a quarter every 2 to 3 days

We pop them out into a large lock&lock container and refill trays in 5 minutes. Container is full after 2 harvests.
We never run out of ice and those 2 ice containers helps to quickly pull down temp of unfrozen foods want to freeze.

Hey Pelagic, thanks for the response. Yea, that isn't really an option for us due to price, though I have been thinking of converting our ice box to a compressor fridge. I priced that parts for that at around $300 from china. Though I can get a 12v ice maker from china for around $100. The main reason I am thinking seriously about the ice maker is that I doubt I can get beer as cold with a fridge as I could with sticking it in some ice. I'm open to both ideas though.

[carlosproa]

Captain Black
Looking just at the solutions available that I know of, if I compare the 12 volt ice maker from NZ, that is about US$ 370 plus shipping

If I go for an economical 12 volt compressor with the solar panel regulator, is actually cheaper at $367

https://www.mccombssupply.com/secop-...undle-package/


Or you can try eBay and get a much cheaper compressor around $120 to $150

Granted that you need the rest of the system but it can be found on eBay

Here is one just looking for a home

https://www.ebay.com/itm/DB35F-Danfo...sAAOSwb5Zd~rD9

If the water temperature where you sail is colder then you may want to consider this solution using the Peltier principle

https://youtu.be/97x5cZ9wSw4

[Captn_Black]

Originally Posted by carlosproa

Captain Black
Looking just at the solutions available that I know of, if I compare the 12 volt ice maker from NZ, that is about US$ 370 plus shipping

If I go for an economical 12 volt compressor with the solar panel regulator, is actually cheaper at $367

https://www.mccombssupply.com/secop-...undle-package/

Attachment 217264
Or you can try eBay and get a much cheaper compressor around $120 to $150

Granted that you need the rest of the system but it can be found on eBay

Here is one just looking for a home

https://www.ebay.com/itm/DB35F-Danfo...sAAOSwb5Zd~rD9

If the water temperature where you sail is colder then you may want to consider this solution using the Peltier principle

https://youtu.be/97x5cZ9wSw4

Hey, thanks, yea, that link was actually just for the sake of example. I found a 12v mini compressor on Alibaba for $80. Though I prefer to not buy from china if I can find something reasonably priced elsewhere. Cheapest 12v ice maker from China was $85 or so, but buying elsewhere the cheapest is $300. I have an additional problem of being in Cape Verde, and very few places ship here at all, and if they do the rates are ridiculous. Shipping from china is usually free or cheap.

[Captn_Black]

I also had the thought that if I mount the evaporator plate on the base of the fridge then I could get ice by sticking ice cube trays directly on top of it. Though that could create other problems. Really, this whole thing is a luxury we can't afford as we have so much other work to do, but I am looking into affordable options. We currently spend about $200/year on ice, so it does make some sense for us to find a better solution.

[Captn_Black]

So I just had a thought - I see no reason why I can't use all the parts - aside from the compressor - from a normal domestic mini fridge. Is there anything about that plan that I am missing? I can probably get a friend in europe to find me one for free on the street, and just ship the parts I need here, and then buy a 12v compressor, thermostat and controller.

[Captn_Black]

Anyway, here's that mini compressor if anyone's interested - https://www.aliexpress.com/item/33034271065.html?spm=a2g0o.detail.1000014.27.26b15 608xpb4Z0&gps-id=pcDetailBottomMoreOtherSeller&scm=1007.14976.15 7518.0&scm_id=1007.14976.157518.0&scm-url=1007.14976.157518.0&pvid=f2b3e69f-b2a4-4e9b-9d83-f8a48e427814&_t=gps-idcDetailBottomMoreOtherSeller,scm-url:1007.14976.157518.0,pvid:f2b3e69f-b2a4-4e9b-9d83-f8a48e427814,tpp_buckets:668%230%23131923%230_668% 23808%235965%23399_668%23888%233325%235_4976%230%2 3157518%230_4976%232711%237538%23216_4976%233104%2 39652%236_4976%233141%239887%236_668%232846%238109 %23212_668%232717%237563%23593_668%233164%239976%2 3346

Not really that much cheaper than the smallest of the normal sized 12v compressors, so might not be worth it. Price went up since I last looked.