Rush PV install !

[adam2]

This sounds like an interesting case study. Why did they run low on food, I wonder? Did they get snowed in?

Just a thought about keeping the children warm at night; the good old hot water bottle makes a massive difference to how warm one feels in bed, and uses no extra energy to fill if a kettle is heated on the already-lit stove during the evening.

They did get snowed in, and this was rather unexpected in what is normally one of the mildest parts of the UK. The nearest shop ran out of almost everything as suppliers vehicles could not get to it.
As a last resort they could probably have captured and killed a sheep for eating. Very much a last resort as the sheep belong to someone else and no one had any experience in slaughtering or butchery.

Hot water bottles were used and do indeed help a lot but are a bit primitive compared to sufficient warm bedding. New duvets had been purchased recently but did not live up to expectations regarding warmth or qaulity (let this be a warning against stocking up on apparently useful articles, that do not meet expectations when called upon)
Government surplus 100% wool blankets on order.

Thermal underwear had also been purchased and was also found to be almost useless when worn. "thin, tight, scratchy, itchy,manages to be sweaty without being warm" Let this be another warning against apparently useful stocks that fail to meet expectations when used.
100% cotton garments being looked for.

[Pepperman]

I haven't come across DC freezers before. Found this:

http://www.steca.com/index.php?Gefriertruhe_en

Is that the sort of thing you're referring to? Any other brands?

Yes that is the sort of appliance reffered to.
Other brands include "Sunfrost" , "Sundanzer" and IIRC "Engle"
The merit of such appliances is greater efficiency, the absence of inverter losses, and not being reliant on an inverter.

Interesting thanks. Been looking for efficient 12V fridges / freezers but hadn't had any luck. Most of them are so inefficient that it makes more sense to go for a 230V A+++, even with the inverter losses. I particularly like that the Steca one can either be a fridge or a freezer.

[adam2]

Yes, MOST 12 volt fridges are very inefficient, there are 3 main types of 12 volt fridge.

1) absorbtion fridges. These use a heat source, typicly a gas flame, to drive the refigerant cycle. Some types are also equiped with a 240 volt heating element and 12 volt heating element these are known as "3 way" since they may be worked from LPG, 12 volts, or mains voltage.
These are very suitable for caravans and motorhomes.
When parked they use LPG or mains voltage if available, and when moving they use 12 volts since the burning of gas is unwise in a moving vehicle.
The electricity consumption is substantial, often about 120 to 150 watts, 24/7, therefore not suitable for a low energy or off grid home.

2) Peltier effect fridges, these have the merits of low price and simplicity but are not very efficient. Poplular for portable use as they are light in weight and work at any angle. Nearly silent also.
Usually very small but still use from 40 to 60 watts, continually, too much for prolonged off grid use.

3) DC compressor fridges, these are normally highly efficient, and if of reputable make very reliable, many are based on designs intended for rough use in the developing world for vaccine storage.
Several makes exist, see previous post.
The loading is often about 60 to 100 watts, but only whilst running so the average loading is very much less.
Some types are suitable for 12 volts or 24 volts, and some can be used as a fridge or a freezer.
Tend to be very expensive though.

[Tarrel]

That's really useful info Adam. We have a "3 way" fridge that we use for camping. I like it for the flexibility it gives in fuel type. We mostly run it on gas, but it's quite thirsty this way, and absolutely drinks power when on 12V. I often wondered why.

In South Africa, the "Overlanders" almost exclusively use the Engle- type fridges, which I guess are the compressor-type. But, as you say, they are expensive.

[emordnilap]

I haven't come across DC freezers before. Found this:

http://www.steca.com/index.php?Gefriertruhe_en

Is that the sort of thing you're referring to? Any other brands?

We looked at getting a pv-powered freezer; they are prohibitively expensive.

Running costs of a wide range of (240v) electrical appliances can be found here: http://www.sust-it.net - some freezers have extremely low running costs which would tip you away from even the assurance of pv power.

There's also an ethical rating guide to freezers here.