This was very helpful. We live part time off grid in the mountains and are learning to dive into the wattage of appliances as well as learning other ways to preserve food without electricity. I appreciate you sharing this info.
I'm glad it was helpful. It was tedious to track so I'm happy to hear you're benefiting! :-) I'm thinking about making a video about our experience with the freeze dryer, including when we can and can't use it off grid. We have a YouTube channel, if you're interested, by the same name: Love Off Grid. I hope you'll Subscribe!
I think you will like the lifepo4 batteries. Only problems that I have is due to the mismatched batteries with different internal cell resistance. This causes some of my cells to fill up before others.
I am running active balancers (not Victron), but it doesn't seem to give much help. From the balancing standpoint, lead acid batteries are easier to manage.
Our original system was a 24v system that provided 120v power and a small 12v system that provided lighting and ran our two SunDanzer freezers. We upgraded in 2020 to an 8kw array split that charges two 16s2p lifepo4 batteries (48v) at 560ah each. I would never parallel cells for my battery again, instead I would only run 16s1p. One battery bank provides 120v/240v power, the other battery bank provides 12v/24v legacy power and a 48v air conditioner in the summer.
Since upgrading in 2020 from our smaller capacity 24v/12v systems, I've only had to start a generator twice for charging. I still utilize a generator for welding projects or other high amperage needs.
Do you ever watch Will Prowse's channel on YT? He talks about balancing LiFEPO4 with BMS and says the BMS doesn't kick in until you charge to 100%. It's confusing when the manufacturer's info differs and just about everyone we speak with has different opinions!
We're still figuring this out, too! Glad to hear you're not running your generator a lot. Fuel gets expensive.
I have been reading about the Harvest Right units for a while, but not quite sure about our off grid power system handling the load. Do you pre-freeze the trays prior to running a batch thru the freeze drier? With a 24v system, does your generator frequently start up when running running batches?
Great questions! When we ran our first batches, John hooked up an appliance load tester because we were curious about the same things. The freeze dryer doesn't produce a constant current - it varies as the compressor and freezer and heater cycle on and off.
I'll give you an example for freeze drying berries:
The cooling chamber runs for 15 minutes before you put your trays in (and, no, I don't pre-freeze my trays but I have heard of people doing it. I'm not sure it matters). The cooling chamber cycle runs 4.8 Amps/550 watts.
The freezing cycle is next and, in this case, ran for 3.25 hours starting at 4.1 Amps/480 watts and dropping down to 3.7 Amps/440 watts. Temps dropped to -6F degrees.
Vacuum freezing lasted about 15 minutes at 10.3 Amps (-11F degrees)
The drying cycle (the longest cycle) ran for 14.25 hours and fluctuated between 13.3 Amps/1094 watts and 6.8 Amps/812 watts).
Altogether, the process took 18.5 hours for 4 trays of berries.
For us, it's worth the time and energy most years when we have a good harvest to preserve. We have to plan ahead to do it on a sunny day and start it early (by 6AM) to take advantage of the daylight.
Some foods take longer than others (herbs take about 7 hours, for example). If it's a long run (onions/tomatoes), the generator will come on in the evening, well after the sun has gone down.
By the way, we're switching to LIFePO4 batteries very soon (they're on the way). We'll be doing a video about that on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@LoveOffGrid
I hope this info helps you. I've also heard of people selling freeze dried candies at Farmer's Markets to help pay for their machine. Some candies get HUGE in the FD and people buy them because they're so unusual... just a thought. Good luck! Let me know what you do!
I love it! I'm drying shredding carrots and zucchini today. Can't wait to preserve so much of our harvest this year. Prior to the FD, I dried tomatoes, onions, and potato slices in my dehydrator (which is a really bare-bones one without heat controls. Just "off/on". It worked great. I think you can do the same out in the sun (according to one of my Italian cookbooks!). Even if you're not growing yet you can buy a few from the store to dry outside, just to learn how.
NOTE TO READERS: I made an error on my original version when I mentioned freeze drying egg YOLKS. I freeze dried whole eggs. The post has been updated and is now correct.
I'm surprised to learn that food preservation isn't a thing in the UK, especially since WWII basically leveled so much of the country no so very long ago. Wow - amnesia is universal.
I don't think I'd attempt canning on a wood stove, either. Can you get propane there? If so, is converting a natural gas appliance to propane an option? Not sure about laws in the UK. Our stove runs on propane:
Oh, and BTW, "Lil' Chuckwagon" is the nickname for my freeze drier. When John and I moved here, I transported jars and jars of canned food from our other house, gaining my vehicle (a mini at the time), the name "Lil Chuckwagon". The name stuck. :-)
Wow, I didn't even know this was a thing, thank you. Most helpful. We actually spent the bucks (er, excuse me, pounds) to have an All American pressure canner shipped over here, since food preservation is all but unknown here, apart from the odd jar of jam. But it's been sat untried for several months, because I'm leery of trying to use it on a woodburning stove. The ball book is VERY CLEAR that the temperature has to stay completely stable throughout the whole canning process, which is pretty hard, using wood as the heat source. I will look into these Chuckwagon fellows, and see if anyone's doing something similar over here.
This was very helpful. We live part time off grid in the mountains and are learning to dive into the wattage of appliances as well as learning other ways to preserve food without electricity. I appreciate you sharing this info.
I'm glad it was helpful. It was tedious to track so I'm happy to hear you're benefiting! :-) I'm thinking about making a video about our experience with the freeze dryer, including when we can and can't use it off grid. We have a YouTube channel, if you're interested, by the same name: Love Off Grid. I hope you'll Subscribe!
Can you share your link? I tried to find you to subscribe and got a lot of other things when I searched for Love Off Grid. Thank you.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7laiexqJ5VxYe3KxcMx9uA
That sounds great. I’ll definitely check it out.
I have a YouTube Channel also, mine focuses on holistic health, nutrition, and lifestyle - https://youtube.com/theingredientguru :-)
Thanks for the freeze drying info!
I think you will like the lifepo4 batteries. Only problems that I have is due to the mismatched batteries with different internal cell resistance. This causes some of my cells to fill up before others.
I've heard of that. I read the Victron Battery Balancer is a good fix - haven't had to try it though. How is your system set up?
I am running active balancers (not Victron), but it doesn't seem to give much help. From the balancing standpoint, lead acid batteries are easier to manage.
Our original system was a 24v system that provided 120v power and a small 12v system that provided lighting and ran our two SunDanzer freezers. We upgraded in 2020 to an 8kw array split that charges two 16s2p lifepo4 batteries (48v) at 560ah each. I would never parallel cells for my battery again, instead I would only run 16s1p. One battery bank provides 120v/240v power, the other battery bank provides 12v/24v legacy power and a 48v air conditioner in the summer.
Since upgrading in 2020 from our smaller capacity 24v/12v systems, I've only had to start a generator twice for charging. I still utilize a generator for welding projects or other high amperage needs.
Do you ever watch Will Prowse's channel on YT? He talks about balancing LiFEPO4 with BMS and says the BMS doesn't kick in until you charge to 100%. It's confusing when the manufacturer's info differs and just about everyone we speak with has different opinions!
We're still figuring this out, too! Glad to hear you're not running your generator a lot. Fuel gets expensive.
I have been reading about the Harvest Right units for a while, but not quite sure about our off grid power system handling the load. Do you pre-freeze the trays prior to running a batch thru the freeze drier? With a 24v system, does your generator frequently start up when running running batches?
Great questions! When we ran our first batches, John hooked up an appliance load tester because we were curious about the same things. The freeze dryer doesn't produce a constant current - it varies as the compressor and freezer and heater cycle on and off.
I'll give you an example for freeze drying berries:
The cooling chamber runs for 15 minutes before you put your trays in (and, no, I don't pre-freeze my trays but I have heard of people doing it. I'm not sure it matters). The cooling chamber cycle runs 4.8 Amps/550 watts.
The freezing cycle is next and, in this case, ran for 3.25 hours starting at 4.1 Amps/480 watts and dropping down to 3.7 Amps/440 watts. Temps dropped to -6F degrees.
Vacuum freezing lasted about 15 minutes at 10.3 Amps (-11F degrees)
The drying cycle (the longest cycle) ran for 14.25 hours and fluctuated between 13.3 Amps/1094 watts and 6.8 Amps/812 watts).
Altogether, the process took 18.5 hours for 4 trays of berries.
For us, it's worth the time and energy most years when we have a good harvest to preserve. We have to plan ahead to do it on a sunny day and start it early (by 6AM) to take advantage of the daylight.
Some foods take longer than others (herbs take about 7 hours, for example). If it's a long run (onions/tomatoes), the generator will come on in the evening, well after the sun has gone down.
By the way, we're switching to LIFePO4 batteries very soon (they're on the way). We'll be doing a video about that on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@LoveOffGrid
I hope this info helps you. I've also heard of people selling freeze dried candies at Farmer's Markets to help pay for their machine. Some candies get HUGE in the FD and people buy them because they're so unusual... just a thought. Good luck! Let me know what you do!
Wow wow wow! This is SO cool! I'm always blown away by how many things can be freeze dried.
Way more power than my system can handle, but maybe someday!
I love it! I'm drying shredding carrots and zucchini today. Can't wait to preserve so much of our harvest this year. Prior to the FD, I dried tomatoes, onions, and potato slices in my dehydrator (which is a really bare-bones one without heat controls. Just "off/on". It worked great. I think you can do the same out in the sun (according to one of my Italian cookbooks!). Even if you're not growing yet you can buy a few from the store to dry outside, just to learn how.
NOTE TO READERS: I made an error on my original version when I mentioned freeze drying egg YOLKS. I freeze dried whole eggs. The post has been updated and is now correct.
I'm surprised to learn that food preservation isn't a thing in the UK, especially since WWII basically leveled so much of the country no so very long ago. Wow - amnesia is universal.
I don't think I'd attempt canning on a wood stove, either. Can you get propane there? If so, is converting a natural gas appliance to propane an option? Not sure about laws in the UK. Our stove runs on propane:
Harnessing the Sun: https://loveoffgrid.substack.com/p/harnessing-the-sun
There are many other ways to preserve food besides canning, too. Mylar bags and oxygen absorbers, for instance, and vacuum sealers. I hope this helps:
Food Security: https://loveoffgrid.substack.com/p/food-security
Oh, and BTW, "Lil' Chuckwagon" is the nickname for my freeze drier. When John and I moved here, I transported jars and jars of canned food from our other house, gaining my vehicle (a mini at the time), the name "Lil Chuckwagon". The name stuck. :-)
Wow, I didn't even know this was a thing, thank you. Most helpful. We actually spent the bucks (er, excuse me, pounds) to have an All American pressure canner shipped over here, since food preservation is all but unknown here, apart from the odd jar of jam. But it's been sat untried for several months, because I'm leery of trying to use it on a woodburning stove. The ball book is VERY CLEAR that the temperature has to stay completely stable throughout the whole canning process, which is pretty hard, using wood as the heat source. I will look into these Chuckwagon fellows, and see if anyone's doing something similar over here.