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Stirling Cycle Refrigeration
By la7qz, Section Remote Living Posted on Wed Apr 30th, 2008 at 03:18:34 PM MST
Is there a product available to buy?

Hi all
I couldn't really find a good place for this, so it goes into remote living...
As most of us know, the biggest energy hog in most homes, be it on or off grid on land or afloat is refrigeration. I have so far solved this by simply avoiding refrigeration on my boat. However, a woman has come into my life causing all sorts of upsets and she thinks the boat should have a fridge.
A while ago, a friend of mine told me he had met a couple here in St Maarten living on a small sloop who used a Stirling cycle refrigerator which was much more energy efficient than the standard compressor driven refrigerator. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to track down these people.
Research on the net has brought lots of information, but no products available for sale. Any ideas?
Here is some of what I have found so far:
http://www.procooling.com/index.php?func=articles&disp=47&pg=1
http://www.globalcooling.nl/index.html
Ideas and reality checks are welcome.
Owen

Stirling Cycle Refrigeration | 20 comments (20 topical, 0 editorial)

Re: Stirling Cycle Refrigeration (3.00 / 0) (#1)
by scottsAI (user name at eml dot cc) on Wed Apr 30th, 2008 at 11:40:10 AM MST
(User Info)

La7qz,

Yep women do things like that to you. Then they want...

Not sure what you had in mind.
Your link to http://www.globalcooling.nl/links.html
Has a Coleman Stirling Power Cooler & RoadTrip Sport Combo
Cost $400 looking around.
Need something bigger?
Draws 24 watts. Much better than other coolers. For the price it better!

Have fun,
Scott.

Re: Stirling Cycle Refrigeration (3.00 / 0) (#2)
by kurt on Wed Apr 30th, 2008 at 01:35:49 PM MST
(User Info)

hmmm according to the specs in the manual it draws 48w 4a at 12v

http://www.reresource.org/

IRC
[ Parent ]

Re: Stirling Cycle Refrigeration (3.00 / 0) (#5)
by scottsAI (user name at eml dot cc) on Wed Apr 30th, 2008 at 10:24:28 PM MST
(User Info)

Got the number from here:
http://www.metaefficient.com/coolers/stirling-power-electric-cooler-by-coleman.html

What bad marketing numbers! Again?
Did not see the manual the colman where did you find it?

4a is only half the power of the much cheaper units, which are lousy.

[ Parent ]

Re: Stirling Cycle Refrigeration (3.00 / 0) (#8)
by la7qz on Thu May 1st, 2008 at 10:38:32 AM MST
(User Info) http://home.no.net/naomij

Thanks for the info guys. I just got through ordering one of these from RVToyOutlet.com. Must have been tired when I didn't find the link from the other site.

Did a lot of investigation on the unit before I ordered and found that it has several settings. On the "warmest" fridge setting it draws around 8W. That'll work for me. I may have to cut down a bit on my computer time though... :)

I have an 8D gel battery that was going to be the "electronics" battery, but maybe I'll dedicate that to the fridge and feed it with my Digital Echo charge (now feeding the starter battery) plus a dedicated 55W panel for the fridge battery. A Ghurd controller can make sure the battery isn't drained too low in long periods of no sun.

I'll have a serious look at the unit when it arrives to see whether it would be possible to remove the workings and install in a better insulated (and slightly larger) home made box.

Cheers from Owen
If you're not living on the edge, you're taking up too much space.
[ Parent ]

Re: Stirling Cycle Refrigeration (3.00 / 0) (#10)
by scottsAI (user name at eml dot cc) on Thu May 1st, 2008 at 11:44:21 AM MST
(User Info)

La7qz,

Cool!-)
$500, must be true love!!

Take some pictures put in diary.
If you do dissect it to make your own Fridge, take more pictures
Love to see the story.

Have fun.
Scott.

[ Parent ]

Re: Stirling Cycle Refrigeration (3.00 / 0) (#11)
by la7qz on Thu May 1st, 2008 at 12:46:48 PM MST
(User Info) http://home.no.net/naomij

Well...

Bad news is that I just received e-mails from both RVToyOutlet and PayPal saying they were out of stock and I have been refunded...

:'(

Can't find them in stock anywhere else other than Coleman and they won't accept a billing address outside the US.

Owen
If you're not living on the edge, you're taking up too much space.
[ Parent ]

Re: Stirling Cycle Refrigeration (3.00 / 0) (#12)
by scottsAI (user name at eml dot cc) on Thu May 1st, 2008 at 03:55:53 PM MST
(User Info)

These guys have 32 in stock, don't know if ship out of states.
http://shopping.redorbit.com/Tproduct.php?productid=8346102&MMCF_froogle_feed&utm_id=1&u tm_source=froogle&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Froogle+Feed

Have fun,
Scott.

[ Parent ]

Re: Stirling Cycle Refrigeration (3.00 / 0) (#14)
by la7qz on Thu May 1st, 2008 at 09:48:33 PM MST
(User Info) http://home.no.net/naomij

Thanks.

Not possible to use a billing address outside the US, but I have someone here in St Maarten who may be able to help me out with that.

At least they have them in stock. I'll try to order tomorrow.

Owen

If you're not living on the edge, you're taking up too much space.
[ Parent ]

Re: Stirling Cycle Refrigeration (3.00 / 0) (#16)
by la7qz on Sun May 4th, 2008 at 10:26:55 PM MST
(User Info) http://home.no.net/naomij

Well, ordering from RedOrbit didn't work either. Even with a friend's US credit card.

Out of desperation, I asked my girlfriend in Michigan to call the local Coleman factory outlet. She did, and they had three of them on clearance at $299.99 !!!!

She went there yesterday (Saturday). There is now a Coleman Stirling Power Cooler waiting for me in Michigan. I'm going to fly to there May the 16th, so I've finally found someone willing to ship it to me here in St Maarten, namely.... ME!

Cold beers will be served on Magic to all visiting forum members. :)

I'll let y'all know how the thing works once I get it here.

Owen

If you're not living on the edge, you're taking up too much space.
[ Parent ]

Re: Stirling Cycle Refrigeration (3.00 / 0) (#17)
by scottsAI (user name at eml dot cc) on Mon May 5th, 2008 at 03:43:46 PM MST
(User Info)

Very Cool, pun intended!
Wow, almost half priced. I wonder if the price was limiting their market.
Difficult to justify $500 for a 26 quart cooler...

I live in Brighton, Mi. Didn't know we had a Colman factory outlet in central MI.
Will have to remember it next time out that way.

Let us know how it works.
Looks like a full fledged Fridge unit, should be able to repackage it for your boat with thicker insulation... less power.

Have fun,
Scott.

[ Parent ]

Re: Stirling Cycle Refrigeration (3.00 / 0) (#18)
by la7qz on Mon May 5th, 2008 at 06:24:25 PM MST
(User Info) http://home.no.net/naomij

I think the main reason they're not selling is that people just don't realize how cool these things are. To the uninitiated it looks just like a bog standard Peltier type electric cooler. If you know anything about anything, you know that those things consume obscene amounts of power. It's not until you understand that this thing is not only much more energy efficient than a Peltier type cooler, but quite a bit more efficient than a normal Rankine compressor fridge that the unit (and the price) make sense.

If you're living on 12V and want a fridge, you want one of these puppies.

Zoom off to the Coleman factory outlet and grab them while they last!

Owen
If you're not living on the edge, you're taking up too much space.
[ Parent ]

Re: Stirling Cycle Refrigeration (3.00 / 0) (#13)
by scottsAI (user name at eml dot cc) on Thu May 1st, 2008 at 04:18:15 PM MST
(User Info)

Check out this:
http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f115/coleman-stirling-power-coolers-12685-4.html

Hope you have deep pockets!

[ Parent ]

Re: Stirling Cycle Refrigeration (3.00 / 0) (#15)
by la7qz on Thu May 1st, 2008 at 09:52:32 PM MST
(User Info) http://home.no.net/naomij

Hi again

I'd found this and have been in contact with jedwards from that forum. However, his prices are quite a bit higher than those from Coleman. A couple of his other products are interesting though. Looks like this technology is finally maturing.

Owen

If you're not living on the edge, you're taking up too much space.
[ Parent ]

Re: Stirling Cycle Refrigeration (3.00 / 0) (#3)
by zeusmorg on Wed Apr 30th, 2008 at 07:40:59 PM MST
(User Info)

It may be possible the guy was referring to the whispergen system, i don't know if it is optomized for direct solar cooling or not, it is a co-generation unit though and used in marine applications.

http://www.whispergen.com/main/PRODUCTS/

Re: Stirling Cycle Refrigeration (3.00 / 0) (#9)
by la7qz on Thu May 1st, 2008 at 11:09:50 AM MST
(User Info) http://home.no.net/naomij

No,

I am well aware of the Whispergen generator. That does seem like a viable alternative to the traditional diesel genset, but it still means burning hydrocarbons. A friend of mine was building a new boat in Hong Kong some years ago and gave up on the Whispergen because the company (from NZ) insisted on flying in a couple of their techs to install it. Not only didn't he want to pay for that, but what if the unit failed in... Fiji...?

The Coleman unit wasn't really what I was looking for, preferring something I could build into my own box but it looked so good, I decided to give it a try.

Time will tell!

Owen
If you're not living on the edge, you're taking up too much space.
[ Parent ]

Re: Stirling Cycle Refrigeration (3.00 / 0) (#4)
by zeusmorg on Wed Apr 30th, 2008 at 07:42:08 PM MST
(User Info)

*stirling cooling

Re: Stirling Cycle Refrigeration (3.00 / 0) (#6)
by bob golding (photoman290 at yahoo dot com) on Thu May 1st, 2008 at 05:28:00 AM MST
(User Info)

somewhere out there is an article on converting a freezer into a fridge just by using a thermostat to switch it on ond off at around 5 degrees C.
I think he said, if i remember correctly, it comes on for around 5 minutes a day. might be longer if you are in a hot climate but worth checking out. if you have power when using the engine you could use it to freeze some plastic bottles of salty water to use as a cold store. you need the top loading type freezers not the front loading ones or all the cold air will fall out every time you open the door.

good luck
bob golding

Re: Stirling Cycle Refrigeration (3.00 / 0) (#7)
by erne on Thu May 1st, 2008 at 06:36:43 AM MST
(User Info)

sams club has a 5 cu. ft freezer for $159 and get a external thermostat from beer suply co. uses 125 watts per day. 110 volt....erne

[ Parent ]

Re: Stirling Cycle Refrigeration (3.00 / 0) (#19)
by tsakach (tim.sakach at giantrockenergy dot com nospam) on Sun Jun 8th, 2008 at 07:35:01 PM MST
(User Info)

I have two of these units, called the Coleman "Free Piston Sterling Cycle" cooler. One of them has been in use for nearly 2 years continuously, and the second one is used occasionaly.

Here are some observations:

The unit draws 8-12 watts continuously to maintain a temperature of 39 degrees. When cooling items down, the unit will draw around 40 watts initially and will taper back down to 8 watts.

My first unit developed problems with starting up when "warm." It eventually blew a fuse on the controller board which I replaced with an external fuse. My best guess is that it may have developed problems due to operating it while driving on dirt roads. My second unit will never be used in these conditions. The first unit still works but I need to ensure it is not restarted until it has a chance to sit.

The second unit is a newer, more improved version. It runs much more quietly and smoothly and draws less energy.

The main adjustment factor in using these coolers is the extremely small capacity of 0.8 cubic feet. I adapted to this by repackaging everything and cramming it into a small space. The design of the unit enables food to be tightly packed, since the entire inner surface draws heat away from the contents.

One possible application I see for these units is to use it as a type of thermal storage. The compartment could hold a liquid thermal mass that could be cooled to sub-freezing temperatures. This could in turn be pumped into a larger refrigerator under thermostat control.

The actual sterling cooling units are manufactured in Japan. I will look up the link. The same cooler design can be seen on their website. They have units with vacuum insulation capable of cryogenic temperatures.

Re: Stirling Cycle Refrigeration (3.00 / 0) (#20)
by tsakach (tim.sakach at giantrockenergy dot com nospam) on Sun Jun 8th, 2008 at 08:08:43 PM MST
(User Info)

Here is a link to the manufacturer of the "Coleman" unit:
Twinbird, Japan

"Twinbird Industries" is also printed on the controller board.

Here are a few more items to add to my last post:

You need to periodically remove the cover and thoroughly dust off the heat sink with compressed air. This may be also be one of the factors contributing to the starting problem mentioned earlier. After cleaning out the unit I have not experienced problems with starting it.

My view after using this refrigerator for nearly 3 years is that it is by far the best refrigeration solution available for a small off-grid system. It only needs around 0.24 kwh/day and runs from 12vdc.

There is one sitting right next to me right now, quietly working away. Very efficient!

[ Parent ]

Stirling Cycle Refrigeration | 20 comments (20 topical, 0 editorial)

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