dslreports logo
 
    All Forums Hot Topics Gallery
spc
uniqs
19

Jack_in_VA
Premium Member
join:2007-11-26
North, VA

Jack_in_VA to garys_2k

Premium Member

to garys_2k

Re: Using a hybrid car for power in case of blackout

said by garys_2k:

Yes, I stand corrected, thank you. It seems that the maximum time a refrigerator should be left without power is four hours, not the eight I'd thought was correct. It would definitely be inconvenient to power up the generator in the middle of the night, four hours after it was last shut down, to re-cool the fridge. Still, running the generator just to power a few lights is a waste of fuel.

If you don't open it 8 hours is no problem. After Isabel we turned off the generator at 11pm and restarted it at 7am. All the neighbors here did the same to eliminate the generator noise pollution. 17 days with no refrigerator problems or freezer problems.

leibold
MVM
join:2002-07-09
Sunnyvale, CA
Netgear CG3000DCR
ZyXEL P-663HN-51

leibold

MVM

said by Jack_in_VA:

If you don't open it 8 hours is no problem.

For most refrigerators this is correct. Modern high-efficiency refrigerators tend to have better insulation and may stay cool even longer if the doors are kept closed.

The more important difference between old and new refrigerators (and freezers) is the time it takes to cool them back down. High-efficiency refrigerators have compressors that are sized to optimally maintain a cold temperature but take a very long time to cool down once the temperature inside has risen. Older (or current non-HE) refrigerators tend to have more powerful (less efficient) compressors that cool quickly.

This does have an impact on how you use your generator. The HE refrigerator needs you to run the generator most of the day but because of its smaller compressor can be used with other loads concurrently even on a small generator. The non-HE refrigerator has a significant start-up current but will be happy with a few hours of generator runtime allowing long pauses in between runs.

Jack_in_VA
Premium Member
join:2007-11-26
North, VA

Jack_in_VA

Premium Member

said by leibold:

said by Jack_in_VA:

If you don't open it 8 hours is no problem.

For most refrigerators this is correct. Modern high-efficiency refrigerators tend to have better insulation and may stay cool even longer if the doors are kept closed.

The more important difference between old and new refrigerators (and freezers) is the time it takes to cool them back down. High-efficiency refrigerators have compressors that are sized to optimally maintain a cold temperature but take a very long time to cool down once the temperature inside has risen. Older (or current non-HE) refrigerators tend to have more powerful (less efficient) compressors that cool quickly.

This does have an impact on how you use your generator. The HE refrigerator needs you to run the generator most of the day but because of its smaller compressor can be used with other loads concurrently even on a small generator. The non-HE refrigerator has a significant start-up current but will be happy with a few hours of generator runtime allowing long pauses in between runs.

Well mine is a 2003 and if it's not HE that so much more the better. A little more electrical usage is of no consequence. As long as it keeps the food cold using the generator is the primary requirement.