Our small propane/electric refrigerator got some upgrades.
First, a thorough cleaning of all interior and exterior components, which included paint touch-ups, and rust and discoloration removal, more than can be seen in the before image.
We then added:
-Two strips of LED tape. The upper section illuminates the freezer compartment when the door is open.
-A low-power computer fan circulates air, keeping everything colder, and reducing the initial cool-down period.
-A digital thermostat to monitor the internal temperature without opening the door.
We were missing the bottom shelf and a small plastic tray from the upper shelf of which I can’t figure out the intended function. A Tupperware bin replaced the tray- although the questionable functionality remains, and because we couldn’t locate a replacement shelf we’re using a wire basket on custom bottom rails. It fits perfectly, but we had to make an adjustment to the door’s bottom shelf, reducing its depth. The basket also fits perfectly in our cooler, so we can move it around if needed.
A microswitch alternates power between the fan and the lights so that only the lights are on when the door is open- while the fan is off to prevent it from blowing all the cold air out, and vice-versa.
Most of the fridge is a vacuum-formed plastic and styrofoam box, so we were able to make all the wiring clean, drilling small holes through the sides. Aluminum tape sealed everything neatly enough on the outside.
