Home made refrigerator

[guptanitin45]

Hi guys...
This is Nitin, I am new to this website...Summer is going to start at my place so thought of making a refrigerator rather than buying one the new, wanted to have hand on experience in refrigeration technology.:)
So guys can you pls help me framing out the basic design for the refrigerator? Basic requirements are not very high, just 50-70 liters with only cooler will do for me, I want to keep some drinks and water in that, I want to minimize the electronic stuff so it doesn't become complicated for me to construct it.
I had another plan of using the same compressor and cooling unit for an Air Conditioner also:o:o
Don't know what will be the result but it was just a raw idea came to mind, suggestions and comments are welcomed;)

[back2space]

For starters you cannot touch refrigerants it is against the law.

There is a lot to be designed, an air conditioner compressor is too big to be used in a refrigerator. There would be too much duty produced.

Why not just buy a cheapish fridge, they are cheap enough these days.

If you mess with refrigerants it could be dangerous.

[Brian_UK]

For starters you cannot touch refrigerants it is against the law. <snip>
Is that true in India ?

[guptanitin45]

Is that true in India ?
No its not true in India....:p

[back2space]

Either way if you dont know what your doing and you start messing with pressures and refrigerants its not very safe.

[Brian_UK]

Either way if you dont know what your doing and you start messing with pressures and refrigerants its not very safe.
Being a little judgmental aren't we ?:(

[secondsand1]

I have a small workshop that I thought would be nice if i could cool it , so i found an old dehumidifier that lost its charge , fixed the leak and used an old refrigerator compressor to pump it down and then recharged it with propane and it worked perfrctly so i rigged it up with all the right fans and plumbing and it cools the work shop just fine , so it can be done without even touching refrigerants or breaking any laws and the propane is considered a refrigerant but not subject to the same laws as the others and its perfectly safe.

[back2space]

Being a little judgmental aren't we ?:(

I dont think its very safe, the pressures alone are dangerous and I dont think its right that anyone should be venturing into areas that they know nothing about without training etc.

You could end up hurting yourself or others.

Not saying that you shouldnt experiment but at least do it with someone that is clued up about these things.

[taz24]

If you have access to all the parts, tools and equipment then anything is possible.

A domestic fridge is a small enough project that it should be possible without hurting anyone.

What are you going to use for the doner components (where will the parts come from). If you have access to an old fridge to use all the components then you have already a fridge that you can use??

If you are building one from scratch then you need an insulated box with a door or lid on it to keep in the cold and then you need the components to make the working system.

Tell us what you have and perhaps we can take it from there.

taz.

[lowcool]

maybe to much sun taz,dont reckon 45 will be using propane last i heard they have biggest plant for r12 since 1995