Plastic KETER sheds

[Faz786]

I’m thinking of getting a plastic/Keter-style shed, but I would need to install electrics as I want to keep a freezer in there and also have a light.

Has anyone had a socket and light installed in a plastic shed before? Is it practical and safe long-term, especially with a freezer, or would I be better off getting a wooden summerhouse/log cabin instead?

I’d really appreciate any advice or experiences.

 

[Koolpc]

Is that a kennel?

 

[jj4091]

My "plastic shed" though not Keiter was not very strong structurally and had to be reinforced to cope with high winds. You may be OK in a sheltered location. It also suffers a lot from condensation which make tools and other ferrous products rust quickly. You may have the same problem with appliances. No other particular reason why you should not have socket and lights installed as long as it is done properly.

 

[ericmark]

My shed I brought the SWA up into an outside socket and other side of the shed skin is an inside socket box and socket, so rather than screwing into the shed skin, they pull against themselves.

Also means it enters the shed high up, so less likely a way in for creepy crawlies.

For a freezer ensure there is not too much volt drop.

 

[morqthana]

For a freezer ensure there is not too much volt drop.

And that it doesn't get too cold in the shed during the winter.

Typically 10°C is the lowest it should be.

 

[securespark]

We have a Beko chest freezer in the attached unheated garage which is designed to be used in unheated outhouses down to -15°C.

 

[fixitflav]

We have a Beko chest freezer in the attached unheated garage which is designed to be used in unheated outhouses down to -15°C.

Yes, a bit odd there is a minimum temperature, I'd have thought the colder the ambient the less work for the freezer! But apparently not. Minimum varies between brands, deffo worth checking before buying. OP's shed likely to get cold.

 

[morqthana]

We have a Beko chest freezer in the attached unheated garage which is designed to be used in unheated outhouses down to -15°C.

Beko are known to make models which work at lower ambient temps than most others.

 

[securespark]

That's why I mentioned the brand.

 

[JohnW2]

Yes, a bit odd there is a minimum temperature, I'd have thought the colder the ambient the less work for the freezer! But apparently not.

I'm no expert in these matters but is not at least part of the issue related to the fact that the sort of refrigeration appliances we're talking about depend upon 'phase changes' - i.e.. repeated changes of the refrigerant from liquid to gas and then back to liquid again - 'absorbing' ('latent') heat when it goes from liquid to gas (within the fridge or freezer) and then 'releasing' that ('latent') heat when it next goes from gas back to liquid (outside of the fridge or freezer). It is a combination of temp and pressure that governs those phase changes.

That being the case, if the ambient temp outside of the fridge or freezer is too low, then the compressor may not be able to increase the pressure enough to liquify the gaseous refrigerant - so the 'cooling cycle' will grind to a halt.

However, as said, I'm no expert, so may be wrong - but what I've just suggested seems to make sense in terms of basic physics.

I can but presume that if one wants an appliance which will work satisfactorily at low ambient temps one probably has to either use a refrigerant with a lower boiling point (for a given pressure) and/or have a system capable of generating and using higher pressures?

 

[Sureitsoff?]

£1900 seems very expensive for a plastic shed that as JJ said are not very strong. A wooden one would be my choice.