Combo frig and warm box for batteries and beer

[Gibster]

I was thinking about building an insulated box to keep my tool batteries warm. I brought them in last Winter and during the winter they got hidden under other items. So this last Spring I figured that it would be about the same price to buy a wall cabinet and insulate. Or I could buy a college type refrigerator remove the compressor and put some type of heater in that. I got to checking around and there was an appliance dealer that had a wine frig he was going to scrap. It was mine if I wanted it for free. I plugged it in and it worked! I used it this summer for a soda beer cooler. Now to the hotbox conversion..... I used a double pole-double throw switch so I could go from frig to hotbox. I then purchased a thermostat and ceramic heater from Amazon. I added a small muffin fan to the mount to move air through the heater and circulate the air. I set the thermostat to 50* and even when it was -20* two weeks ago the box was 50* inside. In the Summer all I have to do is change the switch on the back and I'm back to using the frig thermostat and I can keep my soda cool!

Thought I'd share this information just in the off chance that no one has thought of this setup.

Regards,

Dale

 

[RobertSetser]

That's a brilliant idea, Dale! I love the creativity behind turning a wine fridge into a combo fridge and warm box. The switch setup and the use of the thermostat and heater is genius. It's great to know it works so well even in freezing temperatures. This is definitely something I'll consider for my own tool batteries, especially with winter coming. Thanks for sharing your solution!

 

[Matthew Briganti]

Great idea, Dale! Repurposing the fridge and making it a dual use setup for batteries and drinks is genius

 

[Danev]

Clever repurposing of the wine fridge. I've been battling cold batteries too, usually just keeping them inside, but your setup sounds way more efficient. Definitely stealing that idea.