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Cowboy Sailer · 05-02-2008, 10:48

Coleman Stirling Power Coolers

Stirling cycle refrigeration has the potential to be the most efficient way to remove heat from an enclosed space as in a refrigerator or freezer. Of course the resistance to heat flow thru the walls of the refrigerated space is very important. Small portable coolers tend to have rather thin walls. This means that the amount of heat that must be continuously removed can be rather high. So the poorly insulated walls can negate the thermodynamic efficiency of the Stirling free piston heat pump that is used to provide the refrigeration in this unit.

Has anyone used the Coleman Stirling Power Coolers as their boat refrigerator or freezer? If so what was your power consumption and what do you think of the unit?
Would it be possible to easily add insulation to the outside of the unit?
Would it be practical to remove the internal mechanical parts and use them in a well-insulated box?

05-02-2008, 10:48	#1
Cowboy Sailer Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: on the boat. Presently Seabrook, Texas Boat: C&C 38' Oceans 15 Posts: 168	Coleman Stirling Power Coolers Coleman Stirling Power Coolers Stirling cycle refrigeration has the potential to be the most efficient way to remove heat from an enclosed space as in a refrigerator or freezer. Of course the resistance to heat flow thru the walls of the refrigerated space is very important. Small portable coolers tend to have rather thin walls. This means that the amount of heat that must be continuously removed can be rather high. So the poorly insulated walls can negate the thermodynamic efficiency of the Stirling free piston heat pump that is used to provide the refrigeration in this unit. Has anyone used the Coleman Stirling Power Coolers as their boat refrigerator or freezer? If so what was your power consumption and what do you think of the unit? Would it be possible to easily add insulation to the outside of the unit? Would it be practical to remove the internal mechanical parts and use them in a well-insulated box? __________________ Jerry and Denver New cruisers!