120vac to 24vdc

Stmar

Active member

Equipment
B2650HSDC
May 23, 2017
948
58
28
Buffalo, Wyoming
I have a 24vdc full size refrigerator, fused at 15 amps runs at 7.5 amps. Now it is run by a battery bank but they are getting to the end of their life cycle. I am researching step down transformer and power supplies in the 360 to 500 watt range. Any suggestions on transformer vs power supply? From what I found the power supply seems to have more options and safeguards. I have an electrical background but am a bit rusty on this subject.
 
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sagor

Active member

Equipment
BX25, BX2750D, BX2760A, 5' back blade
Jan 9, 2017
307
88
28
Sudbury, ON, Canada
Just buy a switching power supply, there are lots of them on places like Amazon. The usually cost less than $50 for ratings around 360W to 600W (24V supplies). They are regular 120VAC input.
Get something with a higher wattage rating, as any startup current may be twice the running current. Some switching supplies don't like heavy startup currents if they exceed their maximum running current.
 
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GreensvilleJay

Well-known member

Equipment
BX23-S,57 A-C D-14,
Apr 2, 2019
13,757
6,240
113
Greensville,Ontario,Canada
check with 'wheelchair' service centers ! they use 24 volt ! Have 2 on the shelf, gifts that I've never used.
if you want to make your own.... 16 volt, 10 amp power transformer, bridge rectifier 100v,20A , and 10,000 mfd/50v cap would be the 'basic' power supply.
 

Stmar

Active member

Equipment
B2650HSDC
May 23, 2017
948
58
28
Buffalo, Wyoming
What is practical about a 24 vdc fridge if you are leashed to 120v supply ?
The alternative power system came with the property, right now the practical side is that you have refrigeration when/if the grid power goes out, which is a rare occasion now but frequent in the past . I am thinking of the future for when the battery bank gets to it's end of lifecycle, replacement cost will be about $4,000.
 

jaxs

Well-known member

Equipment
B1750HST
Jun 22, 2023
1,032
792
113
Texas
The alternative power system came with the property, right now the practical side is that you have refrigeration when/if the grid power goes out, which is a rare occasion now but frequent in the past . I am thinking of the future for when the battery bank gets to it's end of lifecycle, replacement cost will be about $4,000.
Ok that puts it in perspective. This fridge is more sophisticated than your situation requires. Majority of off grid uses propane appliances which cost much less. Since you are not relying on the appliance for everyday off grid use, get rid of it. If battery pack is worth $4k I shudder to think what it might cost when nuts and bolts side goes bad. Sell it to someone that has no option other than solar or wind power. If it gives you peace of mind knowing you could have a fridge in unlikely event grid goes down for 6 months, buy a propane absorption for a fraction what a rig like this does.

If you are heel bent on keeping this in operation, look into possibility of rebuilding battery pack when and if it should fail. Another option is 200 watt 120v driven 24v power supply to run fridge and keep a 24v power tool battery or pair of 12v power tool batteries charged. Logic with this set up is using inexpensive low amp supply supported bt batteries for start-up. As many here already know, it's simple to salvage cells from free, nonfunctional tool batterise to rebuild good, functional. batteries.