how to convert a chest freezer to a fridge

My chest fridge conversion uses an average of only 8 watts, down from 100 watts (peak of 224), a 92 percent reduction of electricity use.

Here’s how you can do the same thing.

MATERIALS
temperature switch $16.78 from Ebay
push on connectors – $1.70 Home Depot
three wire extension cord, or wall box and plate
you will need to use the 14 gauge wires either way
micro screwdriver – $1 Dollar Store or Harbor Freight
new or used 5 to 7 cubic foot chest freezer $50 to $200

WIRING with extension cord
Cut a 6 inch section out of the middle of the extension cord. There need to be black, white and green wires that can be separated and stripped. Complete the wiring with the push on connectors. This wiring diagram shows the proper connections, but it is better to have a 3 way push on connection prior to 8, to only have one wire go into the 8 socket, and the third wire to 10. The white wire can be set up the same way, with a 3 way connection prior to 7. The ground wire is spliced together with a 2 way push on connection. The extension cord is plugged into a regular outlet

WIRING into box
The switch can be put in a wall box or a mobile box. The freezer is plugged into the box.

PROGRAMMING
3) This is my TS-13010 programming to keep the temperature an average of 36 degrees. The switch turns on at 38, off at 36, and the temperature continues to 34 degrees. Having the probe attached to a container of water at the bottom of the fridge results in a smaller temperature range, and less compressor cycling.

TESTING
4) Plug the chest freezer into the extension cord, and plug the other end into the wall (or plug the freezer into the switch in the wall). Verify that the chest fridge conversion is working as expected. Make any adjustments in programming. Move food from the old refrigerator to the new chest fridge conversion.

RESULTS
The 7 cubic foot Whirlpool chest fridge averages only 8 watts ($.48 a month), compared to the old Frididaire fridge that averaged 100 watts ($6. a month). The chest fridge runs 5.8 minutes an hour, with an average temperature of 36 degrees (33 to 38). The fridge conversion uses only 8% of the energy that was used by the fridge.

GOOD CHEST FREEZERS
1) Whirlpool 7 cubic foot eh070cfxcqoo Costco 200709 – Good, but no longer carried by Costco ($200 plus tax).
Uses 80 watts when running (107* energy meter); 3 amps; runs 8.5% of the time as a fridge conversion (and 10.1% of the time when used as a freezer); is quiet and cool; does not put out any significant heat.
2) Six year old 5.4 cubic foot 1.5 amp Beverage Air 2sf-13 ice cream freezer, Craigslist $120. Good for the price.
3) 5 cubic foot chest freezer – $50 Craigslist, not tested yet.

BAD CHEST FREEZERS
4) GE 7cf fcm7suww – terrible ratings – Home Depot.
5) Frigidaire 7.2cf ffco723dw19 uses 121 watts when running, 5 amps; runs 33% of the time, is loud and gets extremely hot, heating the room. The freezer was returned to Costco.