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ADK Don
Member
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# Posted: 31 Jul 2017 08:35pm
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What brand would you recommend? Is there a brand that is easier to hook up? Without being able to get propane delivered is 20 pounder okay? Is there an easy way to hook up? Rubber hose like a barbecue grill ?
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bldginsp
Member
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# Posted: 31 Jul 2017 09:55pm
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Make sure you use the correct regulator. 11 inches water column.
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frankpaige
Member
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# Posted: 1 Aug 2017 11:35pm
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Trying to decide on what is easier! Propane. Or going the solar route?Thinking propane right now
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ILLWOODSMAN
Member
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# Posted: 2 Aug 2017 11:24am
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I have a crystal cold refrigerator. Love it. Mine is hooked up to a 250 gallon tank. No issues what so ever. Freezer gets really cold. Negative numbers. Bought mine new directly from owner in Arthur illinois. Amish built.
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Atlincabin
Member
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# Posted: 2 Aug 2017 09:15pm
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You can buy some really efficient (well-insulated) 12V solar refrigerators, but they're god-awful expensive (think 3-4x a normal refrigerator - "because they can charge that much"). We have 4 solar panels plus batteries and inverter for the cabin, and it runs a standard refrigerator just fine. Of course all that infrastructure wasn't cheap either, but we also use it for lots of other stuff from lighting to table saws and water pumps.
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beachman
Member
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# Posted: 14 Aug 2017 06:36pm
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I have a Dometic propane refrigerator that is connected to the main manifold (black pipe) with 3/8 inch copper tube. Everything runs on 100# tank with regulator. Atlincabin has a point but if it were me with a do over, I'd go with a beefier solar set up and wire the location to an inverter and buy a conventional 110v electric refrigerator. The Dometic runs great but was expensive and so are the 12v solars.
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frankpaige
Member
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# Posted: 14 Aug 2017 08:41pm
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Beachman, that's where the problem lays for me. Trying to get a handle on what it's going to take to run a fridge.
Sure there are a lot of systems out there. I have found out it seems too difficult to get an answer
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beachman
Member
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# Posted: 15 Aug 2017 07:03am
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Frank, as for propane, I use about a tank (100#), per month using our propane stove, lights, refrigerator and propane on demand water heater. The refrigerator was about $1, 300 US plus shipping. This only my experience and could differ for others.
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silverwaterlady
Member
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# Posted: 15 Aug 2017 10:21am - Edited by: silverwaterlady
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We have a travel trailer with a Dometic propane refrigerator.
Got it down to 0 in the freezer and safe zone in the fridge on the coldest setting.
Used it for almost a month and used about 70# propane.
Temps in the mid 70's during the day and low 60's at night.
Also used the propane to heat water once per day, about four quick showers before we could get our outdoor shower set up, the oven and cooktop.
The company that you decide on will give you specifications on propane usage on the unit you decide on if you go with propane.
It was nice to finally not have to go on ice runs every few days. I could finally make soup and have leftovers to last a few days safely. It was great having ice for drinks and ice cream with the wild blueberry pie I made, freezing some meat so we only had to leave camp twice to go grocery shopping, a 70 mile round trip.
A few items I found useful are the temperature gauges for fridge and freezer and the small fan for the fridge ( two D batteries lasted the month), since it takes a lot longer to cool after opening the door. You might want to get a alarm too. I made the mistake of not latching the door but caught it in time.
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creeky
Member
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# Posted: 15 Aug 2017 11:46am
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My experience was on solar. I already had a solar system. I added 2 250w panels to cover the extra load (one would have done it). That was 400. The fridge was 400 (10 cu ft Magic Chef).
That was 5 years ago. Since then I have used no propane. Hauled no propane. Filled no tanks. Driven to get no propane. well. you get the idea.
If I was Beachman that would be 800 off the top on the fridge. Plus no shipping cost.
I don't know your local cost for propane. But take a 100lber fill up x 60 months plus 150/50 for the tank/fittings and you have your propane cost savings.
In my case I have paid for over 1/2 my solar system with the propane savings. The other half with the appliance cost savings.
A 4500 dollar solar system will give 10 years of reliable service. That would have 1kw solar. Quality inverter/controller/parts. Lithium battery. Run a fridge. Stove top. Dishwasher. Etc etc.
Imho, flexibility and cost savings is why solar is such a good option.
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Wendigolake
Member
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# Posted: 15 Aug 2017 06:11pm
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Propane use will of course depend on how often your at the cabin and the length of your stay. I use a 20 lb tank just on my fridge and it is good for about 3 weeks of use. I also have a flexible hose with a regulator, plumbed properly off the hard piping that goes to the fridge. I got the hose from a local propane dealer.
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