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There are two brands that are a LOT better than ALL others they have about 4 or 5 " of insulation on all sides. These are made for off grid and the cost for a small one is about $1500. I think they have to be ordered on the main land.
If you want the names PM me and I will get the names from my son who has been looking at them. You can also get freezer from the same co.
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I been researching the 12 volt Engel frig- I would like to know more about. it's so expensive it make Subzero look like the styrofoam cooler my chickens like to nibble on and so small I have to give away the axis deer hindquarters!!
So can you say ammonia technology is settled science yet???
http://punaweb.org/Forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=6306&SearchTerms=chest,freezer
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We got an Energy Star refrigerator at Sears on sale, draws 300KWH/year (the lowest we found at sears or home depot), or a little less than 1 KW/day. For the price ($480) it'll do - probably not nearly as efficient as one of the off grid eco models but a lot cheaper. So I've listed our Dometic propane/electric refrigerator on craigslist if any punawebbers are interested:
http://honolulu.craigslist.org/big/app/2857464483.html
As for our big step of going solar, it's just the first step, we have to proceed to add panels/batteries as money allows. Used AmazonPower Plus to install - they're terrific.
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you don't need to go solar to consider getting a new fridge. They will pay for themselves in short order if you get one in 350KW per year range. Since that side by side or any fridge that is older then 6-8 years is probably around 900+KW per year. It's just a no brainer.
Talk to sears tell em what you want like no smaller than 17cu Ft and ice maker... They will point you to the lowest energy consumption models. Also, look for 10% off coupons. You can get them off of Ebay. Or wait for an appliance sale the sears people will tell you when the next one is.
I normally don't recommend an extended warranty ... but, well, when you start adding ice makers... Sears will even cover for electrical problems. Like say a lightning bolt hit a transformer and fried everyone's tv, computer and compressors. Sears will replace it. So, it's up to you to buy into it. I think they just don't make em like they use too sadly. It use to be a fridge would run for 10 years no problem. Good Luck!
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Conserve. Best, hands down. Love mine.
Daniel R Diamond
Daniel R Diamond
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Checkout
http://www.backwoodssolar.com/catalog/refrigerators.htm
This type uses less than 500 watts a day. There are more brand names that are in the same ball park but you have to look for them.
When you are looking are the cost remember the cost of the panels and batteries and all other costs with that increase in power requirement.
1 or 2 panels and up to 6 batteries.
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Thanks- looks like much better value than the Engel.
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You can easily buy 2 185watt pv panels that will run a GE (the one for $480 at Sears...mentioned earlier) model Fridge, even in cloudy weather, for less than the extra cost of some of the DC Fridges.
I'm selling the 185watt panels, 25 yr warranty for 82% output, for $2.15/watt (less if you buy more than 4 panels). These are monocrystalline panels and will produce over 1kW a day, on a clear day in Hawaii, so we stack up 2 or more for cloudy weather.
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So 2 panels and 4 or 6 batteries plus a larger inverter if yours is not have the capacity to supply the system with a new fridge. You need to add all costs. The panels and the batteries will cost more than the fridge. The lower the power use the better.
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Most peeps are already going to have some power, so it just becomes an economy of scale. I saved the 500 to 1000 on the fridge and bought a little larger wattage system. I admit it is a horse a piece but I have a freezer and fridge in one unit which is not offered in most of the low energy dc models. If I need both, Sun Frost offers a combo fridge freezer for two grand plus shipping last I checked. There have been complaints of durability with that make. Propane is an option but they stink in the house with co and fumes, and the keeping the tank full and gas expenses runs 20 dollars or more per month.
