Making a DIY mini fridge for a desktop or camper van at a low cost!
Vlogs? Check out Patreon: / nerdforge
Links to products in the description.
TAKE CARE when dealing with electronics, especially mains power. Make sure you know what you are doing, or consult an expert. If the AC power plugs connects with the aluminium foil or anything else that conducts power, it may be lethal if touched.
SCHEMATIC: bit.ly/fridgeschematic
WRITTEN GUIDE: bit.ly/mini-desktop-fridge
KIT: kit.com/NaturalNerd/mini-frid...
PARTS USED:
- 2x electronic refrigeration modules: bit.ly/2CTj7sv
- Thermostat: bit.ly/2x4s9MT
- AC to DC power supply (12v, 15amps): bit.ly/2x30XyN
- Cold white LED strip: bit.ly/2CJ3CDn
- Wire terminals: bit.ly/2oVDeME
- Shrink tubes: bit.ly/2O6sdmG
- Power plug AC: bit.ly/2CHuhAm
- Power plug 12v: bit.ly/2QnCpcb
- Momentary push button: bit.ly/2CDAbm1
- Aluminium channel holder: bit.ly/2Mls4do
- Aluminium tape: bit.ly/2CHutj4
- Self-adhesive rubber seal: bit.ly/2Qldg1r
- White sticker paper
- Acrylic glass
- MDF
- Styrofoam
- Doorknobs (used as legs)
- Aluminium handlebar (on lid)
- Aluminium angles
- Spray paint + clear coat
TOOLS:
- Styro slicer: • How To Make The "Styro...
- Plastic scoring knife: bit.ly/scoringknife
- Hot glue gun: bit.ly/2x0vNZ6
- Soldering iron: bit.ly/2QimMm1
- Utility knife: bit.ly/2NA5D8S
- X-acto knife: bit.ly/2CInOVJ
- Heat gun: bit.ly/2Nvs4wa
- Hacksaw
- Crimping tool
- Drill
- Dremel
- Silhouette Cameo 3
- Multibond Rapid Glue
- Caulking gun
FOLLOW:
Website - www.thenerdforge.com/
Facebook - / nerdforge
Instagram - / thenerdforge
Twitter - / thenerdforge
BUSINESS CONTACT: contact@thenerdforge.com
Unlike other similar diy project out there , your's looks like a finished product ready to be put on the shelves... Well done.
The overall design (save for the aluminum tape), yes. The attention to detail and actual level of finish? No
@@g45h96 ⁰0000000⁰q
@@g45h96 true , it bugged me so much , she used many materials for this , at least make it perfect ffs
When I first saw "Gray Fox's" name I thought it said "Gay Fox"
dont lie for pussy pal. It'll lead you down a lonely road.
Oh my gods it is a TRIP watching this video for the first time in 2021… your hair isn’t bright pink/purple/blue!!! And your channel used to be called Natural Nerd instead of Nerdforge??? I can tell you’ve learned so much, both in physical creation and video creation, over the years :) 💜💜💜
Coming to this one in 2023 is even crazier
Coming into this video in 2023 and I'm surprised too 💜💙💜💙💜💙💜💙
Same here but from 2023
I’m surprised😮 just like you are ; and it’s 2024 here
So I have been watching Nerdforge videos for about a year and a half, I think it was a book build I first watched. So going back and watching a video from 3 years ago is like watching a prequel movie. Love it.
Haha, I agree
Awesome job. As a carpenter, I build homes from the ground up, to finish. But watching you build this mini frigid, awesome. I might jus build one too. Inspiration, ideas, great handy work. Keep up the great projects. Much love and support, from one builder to another, from Hawaii, Aloha.
wow ... ive always wanted to build houses! that is very inspiring!
Hi congratulations, I also did technical tests with peltier inserts. See my channel. thanks.
Wait, building houses out of wood? What? What if it burns or like termites
@@bruh____784It'll be treated wood.
The focus on detail in this build is really amazing, the product is tremendous, and you explain the process very clearly. New sub!
hi! I love the way you make the stuff, with well organised notes and sketches and home-made tools and the ultimate outcome you give to it with design and stuff! cheers!
My compliments, as neat a piece of work as I 'v seen in ages with a professional looking result.
I thought she was born with purple hair.
I'm glad I watched your video! Though I'm not looking forward to fabricate a mini fridge. But, it was worth watching! You are an awesome " perfectionistA" ... I liked how clean your work was, and how clear your voice and instructions were. Great job!
Nice, I love the amount of effort you guys put into your videos!
Thanks for sharing. I appreciate the care into a lot of small details you put into the project. I like that you did a lot of good sketches and also share some of your analysis of what you would have done differently afterwards.
You’re awesome! First video I’ve seen of yours and it’s the perfect amount of nerd, charm, rawness, and instruction :)
If there is ever a zombie apocalypse I wanna be stranded with this girl in a workshop 😎 We would live like queens 😂👍💎
just asking what kind of queen will you be where there is no one to take orders 🤣
@@iamnode2088 LMAO I’m sure i could find some radioactive rats to lord around 😂
@@IUwUI... 🤣 i love your optimism
If there is ever a zombie apocalypse I wanna be stranded with this girl.
Fantastic! You made it all look so easy even though I would probably not try such an ambitious project. Great video!
yo its crazy how far your channel has come i recently found you guys today and watching you newer videos then this older one you guys have really honed your craft! Keep up the hard work.
What a cool project! End result is absolutely amazing!
I'm going to show these to every schoolgirl I can find who believe Engineering stuff is for men only. You are super inspiring!
its marketing tactics. everything good looking female on youtube gets 10x-100x better ROI
@WeeItsNookies your first sentence already made you worthless. Think why all biggest accounts on most active social network Instagram are run by good looking females.
Valters Boze might be true but women who do this stuff exist and there will be more. Source: I am one and 5 of my colleagues, too!
How many schoolgirls do you know who don’t think they can cut styrofoam?
@@briinums Exactly this. And as a cat.b2 certified aircraft technician I can't help but puke when I see people rape their soldering iron like at 3:44.
As someone who thoroughly screwed my lungs up for six months trying (and just trying) to accurately cut foam, I just saw your gas mask and realized what a dilp I am 😂😂😂
Ima Dork at the time of you posting this comment the video hadn't been post for 6 months
Well Loot, no need to be that harsh on yourself. No need to say that _You're a Dork_ just because you didn't get that he meant "6 months *prior* to watching this video". ;p Like: He starts trying to cut foam on March - Continues for 6 months - On August this video gets released - On September he watches the video & comments.
I was looking into how to turn a couch into really fancy fridge to store & keep cold the stuff. Great job . You made a great effort and hidden tough stuff to makr it this way. Well done
You are one of the most badass, talented crafters anywhere! Your skill levels are truly epic! Bravo!
It's a nice project that suffers the problem that most nice projects suffer from, it probably cost you more to make than had you just gone out and bought one. But you do get the satisfaction of knowing you built it yourself, even though it probably cost two or three times the price of one off the shelf.
I see this valuable in applications where you need absolute custom shapes for retrofitting in awkward spots, I’m thinking of doing something similar to this but for 5-6 drinks and it pulls out like a tip out drawer from say a desk or something. Is it economically better than buying a mini fridge to put next to a desk? Helll no lmao. But sure would be cool as hell. I looked at the parts mentioned and was actually surprised at the low cost of the main components (power supply, cooling modules, thermostat), most of the other stuff is pretty cheap or optional depending what you want to do
@@IAmCjcj11 The cooling modules uses something called a Peltier Element, so it should be possible to even enhance the efficiency of the elements themselves even further
I think what also makes this pretty good is that it also has an option for a 12v input, which allows you to hook it up in a vehicle. This is not a bad alternative for the $1000 camping fridges.
After using a small peltier fridge off grid, I have noticed that even the small ones draw a hell of a lot of current even at 12v
I got a brand new red igloo micro cooler/heater at goodwill for 49 cents.😋
Not sure how I landed up on your channel but wicked tutorial will be going through your back catalog and look forward to seeing more.
AWESOME, you go the extra mile with fit, finish and design, very nice!
I loved the build. You are amazing with how you know how to do all that. Thanks for showing all of us.
Great tutorial, just what I was looking for as I'm trying to turn a small wine shelf into a refrigerated sealed wine shelf, and I also want to say, some of the comments here make me sick. You go girl.
This one.. Is awesome! It looks so well designed that it looks like an actual product than a DIY project. Most of them are just.. not to good.. You gained a subscriber. Nice work!
I would bet she has a strong design background, like Industrial or product design.
Very good job on assembly and attention to details, one of the best coolers on KZhead, Thanks for showing how to build.
I enjoyed how you planned everything out and had designs. I also enjoyed the electrical work. Personally i would have loved to see you throw in a compressor and copper tubing but then it wouldn't be much of a DIY. Its a really cool project.
dont know how ive only just found this channel, your stuff is awesome. +1 sub
Me:Oh cool *looks at video Me:I'm just going to by one
TriNitY hedghogking same lol
buy*
30 bucks at goodwill vs overspending for this tiny shit
Great job! Best one I have seen so far. Thanks for sharing your creative ideas.
Very good. Because the top is transparent, I think an external button to light inside could be a good idea. This way, the person could choose what to pick without open the fridge. Maybe this could be useful in a larger model. Another thing, you made the back door removable, but a cut in the acrylic sidewall would avoid the need to remove the aluminum corners together (sorry for my poor english).
"COOL!" I like any project with thermoelectric modules !
This is the first video i watched of your channel. I subscribed immediately ☺
same with me
Subscribe for creativity or girl😋
Both!
That's a impressive work, well done!
Very nice project! One bit of information that will help you on your next build. Purchase a Scroll Saw. It would help making those small cuts on the edge and the inner shaped cuts. Overall, a very nice little build!
you can tell you put a lot of thought into this and it came out fantastic! congrat! not a lot of youtuber put this much effort in their stuff :)
Hi congratulations, I also did technical tests with peltier inserts. See my channel. thanks.
Girl... I Really impressed with your Patiance :D I usualy lost mine the moment it starts cooling in project like that, so mine looks more like a shoebox than a refregerator he he..
you know what ...........i love that how hardworking you are....... good keep the pace.
Me ha encantado, el mejor trabajo con células peltier que he visto. Un trabajo muy fino con detalles. Un 10. Tienes el diseño base perfecto para hacer un aire acondicionado, con controlador con mando a distancia.
I've been thinking about building a larger frig to run off a 12-volt system. You've given me some ideas. Thanks!
Hi, dont waste your time or energy. This barely does a decent job when its capacity is 5 L. So you will waste money, it has a pathetic COP ( co efficiency of power) rating, like below 10%. Regular AC have 180% COP, I guess.
TECS are good for small fridges but a big fridge? you'll essentially turn your house into an oven and you'd be wasting so much power that you may may as well be shoveling money into a bonfire
This is great. You should add an exhaust fan to one of the sides where you drilled the holes for ventilation. This will probably help it cool a couple degrees cooler. Something like what is on a computer would work well. I think they’re called muffin fans. Thanks for making this awesome video
This is a very nice project. It turned out pretty good.
first vid of yours i watched. you did a good job, both with the build, and the narration. liked and subbed.
Im a refrigeration tech and I gotta say that this is the best DIY project to do with ac, a fridge or any sort of cooler on youtube... Ace job my dear 10/10
You deserve more subs, your tutorials are awesome.
That's too kind! :)
Jumpeex ikr
I agree with Jumpeex! Sub for you, I love it. :-)
agreed
Jumpeex I totally agree!!! She rocked this tutorial. 😊
You are amazing and very inspiring. Keep up the good work.
Totally awesome. thanks for your ingenuity
I love these videos please keep it up ! I'm defenetly going to make one of these. Thanks again 😀
Thanks dude! :)
Are u Russian?
smtel this channel is actually Norwegian, 😉
Em Chen tought it was swedish :/ saw "biltema" and "klarlack" and thats swedish soo
Great ideas. I love your chanel 😍
You make it look so easy. You are multi talented. Well done
Gurl you are so creative I really love this. Thank you for the idea !!
I read "desktop fridge" and thought you were building a computer in a mini fridge. But this was still pretty cool (pun intended). I was waiting for the compute components to be added in.
S many have proven PCs will not gain any significant benefit from being in a fridge as it will not be able to pump the heat out effectively which would cause the fridge to warm up considerably
Screw the mini fridge, did anyone else see the companion cube?
OMG your right their is a companion cube?!!??!
kzhead.info/sun/m66af8Wxo56JqJs/bejne.html :D
Natural Nerd C
the memorys... I really loved that cube
Ciara Kenny if you listen closely you can hear it speaking... Oh to bad
Wow great job you make it looks easy. I need a fridge like that for my classroom.
I love it so much! This is so tidy and better than others :)
Another project that I'm interested in, But, to spoil it, I don't have a workshop to begin with. 🤷
milcha nc Oh, I feel you...I would love to do more advanced diy projects, but living in a 2 room flat in the city kind of makes it impossible. It really sucks!
Your fridge can get 5C... But an important question to ask.. from what ambient temperature ? Thank you.
From freezing cold.
@@poksi360 that's not what he is asking and also no nothing in this is freezing
Electric Fridges are sold in Trucking Stops for truckers. They don't get cold enough if it's sitting in a hot cab.
@@thecanadianbastard9019 I think you didnt get the joke. He meant it as "that fridge can go to 5° if it started at 0° lololol"
Peltier modules can do a 50C delta easily (some go as far as 70C delta) while drawing ~70W (when always on). This fridge should be able to do 5C at 50C+ ambient.
nice :) i like that you put information and details in video.
Great job! Really enjoyed this tutorial.
This channel deserves more subscribers tbh. Well you have received one at least.
“I wanted to add our channel name” *prints out Natural Nerd* Hmm *looks at channel name that says Nerdforge* Hmmmmmmmmmm
Exactly my thought.
The video is almost 3 years old though, it's pretty obvious they change the name of the channel since then.
@@xhana_ Uhh..? For one, only subscribers from 3 years ago can confirm this.. and for two, Pewdiepie kept his channel name this whole time. It's not "obvious"
@@pseudoArchaea Yes only subs from 3 years ago can confirm, yet I was not there 3 years ago and it seemed pretty obvious to me, so maybe I'm a genius or just lucky I guess. She says "we want to add our channel name", you see "Natural Nerd" but somehow it doesn't necessarily means they changed the name. Whatever.
Xhana “I’m a genius or just lucky” You misspelled asshole but whatever you need to feed your dad ego I guess.
When I first saw the initial design for the hot wire cutter, I immediately thought of the King of Random video. Awesome job and great video!
I am watching your channel for the first time today. I must say you do a very precise and perfect job. You made me one of your biggest followers.👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
How about a treasure chest fridge with a secret snack compartment in the lid
Damn you are so dope loved your tutorial!!!
the explanations are great. thanks for sharing this project!
Wow.....just wow 👌 from start to finish I loved it and couldn't wait to see this completed, my only question is... how much and when can it be delivered? Great work you gorgeous genius 😍
Saying DIY like we can afford half the supplies 😂
A DIY is a "do it yourself" project not a "do it yourself but cheap and easy" ;- ).
i can hear the screams of agony coming from that soldering iron........
She's amazing ! Is there anything she can't do ? I love her art work !
Fantastic! What a great job, and it's beautiful too!
This should be compulsory viewing for young girls in schools. I really wish I had been exposed to stuff like this when I was younger. You are AMAZING!! Thank you 😊
Thank you for that comment, really appreciated :)
All true, when I see what ridiculous nonsense some women are 'famous' for on YT, people who get millions of subs for being talentless airheads - it's pretty annoying that someone like you doing constructive, clever, useful stuff doesn't get that kind of recognition. What stupid times we live in!
SMae chicks with 6 million subs making 'slime'.....way to set your bar high hey?
I agree, I usually click off of videos and diys from female youtubers for this very reason, but this is the first time i saw her video and she has done a great job! I always give a video a fair chance but tbh making slime,making silly kid things are not really useful, diy means things that anyone can make and use it as a fully functional project. she deserves way more subs and give it time she will get a there, I wish others will follow her path.
You don't have to degrade other women to praise this girl
Great project, inspired me to work on a portable version to run off solar and possibly a battery supply to take off grid.
edward silva I may doing that for my GCSE’s DT project I just have to see if I will be able to power it with a car battery. And how may watts is the solar panel you have used.
edward silva please post when done
You do great work and you are very clear on your procedures.
Loved seeing the styroslicer! I made one myself too for a similar project!
you're the best thing ever. so smart and such a great role model for young girls. so interesting
And you belong back in the 1900’s
I think teachers should stop forcing us to do homework and engineering projects
@@ninetails6218 ouch!! The burn is real!
Elisha Sanchez Was that supposed to be an insult? The 1900s were great up until WW2. Now go and make me a sandwich, bitch.
How loud is the Fridge?
If I can scavenge basic supplies from an old fridge and look through all the junk I already have, this might be super cheap for me to build. All I need is the cooling modules and the thermostat. I'm loving the "open at top" idea and the snack shelve. If I'm patient and wait until I start my custom gaming desk, I can retrofit an alternate design of this into a built in fridge/snack area. Ok ok ok ok ok ok.... Yes, that's definitely the plan. Saving video to playlist. Thank you.
This tutorial is awesome. And for people in the comments saying "you can just buy one" you're missing the point. You can buy anything but the joy of this project (and a lot of other DIYs) comes from building something that works with your own hands.
That was amazing! Ignore all of these insecure and ignorant men leaving bad comments.
Wow.. How did you even
What the video. That's how.
*watch* the video
Shut up ODer
Superlative video and such a well-done project!!!
Very cool !! Nice shirt !! Try flame polishing the edges of the acrylic for a nice smooth finish.
I thought the front said Nuka Cola
theXEN0KID You've been playing Fallout 4 ??
@@abjsf69 Fallout* Nuka cola exists in all Fallout games, not just 4
That’s what mine is going to say
Fantastic project! So cool outcome! But somehow the design reminds me at something... 🤔
Hmm, me too. Can't put a finger on what it is tho...
TheBowserBasher Seriosuly? It's obviously inspired by Pepsi
Lift head up from the the desk removes dollar bill from noise and leaves a bit of white powder on the noise and desk and ask in confusion " what did what you say? "
You mean Coca Cola. Pepsi is red, white and blue. ;) Great video and instructions!
I was thinking it looked like Nuka Cola from Fallout.
めっちゃ可愛い！ 一発で惚れた！
The decor work is more than the functional work in this project.
Based on your wirings, the fan directions on the big fans looks incorrect. Both fans are supposed to face towards the heat sink so it creates a high air pressure. This high air pressure creates a high temperature that gets heat sinked. Otherwise you're relying solely on the peltier. I bought the same refrigeration module, and noticed this.
Interesting, I'll check that out. Maybe it can perform even better!
oops. sorry i had it reverse. i meant they should be facing away from each other. this creates a low pressure, and cold temperature that is transferred via heat sink into the fridge and dispersed using the smaller fan. and according to this link it goes down up to -5 degrees bit.ly/2klKyye
you know what would be a cool idea making a computer with the desktop mini fridge as the case
I'd actually really be interested in seeing this be a thing.
It's not possible
JDM Miata it could I don't. know to explain it to you. what's in my head
Now what you can do is buy this special case, which is like almost $1,000 btw, it takes the main part that makes the fridge cold through an insulated tube, and puts it ontop of the CPU. So any of the condistation is trapped inside the tube and only touching the top of the cpu, and makes it safe. Or if you're feeling adventurous just use liquid nitrogen !
While your idea seems cool. It would never work. Since the air inside the fridge contains water vapor, heat from the PC mixing with the cool air from the fridge will condense the water and cause a short circuit. Professional overclockers who use similar liquids to cool avoid this by putting Vaseline on the components. The problem with this though is that its only a temporary solution.
I think you’re very clever. I’m just intrigued to know how you deal with condensation and drainage of any water that may accumulate on cold parts.
Holy crow, well done. Well formatted, easy to follow, and definitely useful for the average viewer. Subbed!
interesting but for the cost, these small fridges are getting really inexpensive and no hassle just get 1 for under $60, esp at the big box stores I think as in this vid you'll have like $75-80 plus time in it? Aluminum tape, not a good insulator or durable. I'd line it with plexiglass painted on the backside or some white tile, laminate, etc thanks for sharing! +1 and sub. your vids are inspirational
"Fuck it, we'll use heatsinks" -Natural Nerd 2017
Peltier modules needs heatsinks you know
Natural Nerd yes, I know. However, these are CPU heatsinks with some styrofoam and metal screwed on to it. There is no way that these are purpose built. Not "electronic refrigeration unit." Heatsink. CPU heatsink.
Correct! Purpose built ones would be a little out of the budget of this one ;-)
Natural Nerd yes, but they aren't "electronic refrigeration modules." They are heatsinks. *Heatsinks*
Writing a "heatsink" would be misleading. The module consists of 2 heatsinks, 3 fans, and a peltier module sandwiched in between them. So it's definitely made for cooling. As you would also pay for the peltier module and the fans attached to it, I am not sure I understand why you are so keen on calling the unit a heatsink. It's like buying a lamp with a foot and shade, but insisting on calling it a bulb. The unit wouldn't work well without the heatsinks, but without the peltier element it would be absolutely useless.
WOW, where have you been all my life! Goldsmith / Master Jeweler, Photovoltaic / Solar Thermal Technician plus many others which you just made me feel small.... my nemesis is electrical soldering LOL You Go Girl !!! i Like, OLE !!!
Thanks, can't wait to make my own!
The accent ❤️
Gained my respect and you get a sub. I wish more female youtubers would work like you. all the other just make things easily broken or basically crafts that are for kids. This was a fairly complicated thing to make, i thought it would be flimsy but at the end the build quality is great.
Or are showing tits and asses.
this is pretty cool, well done!