Propane or Natural Gas Refrigerator/Freezer

[Copper Catcher]

Ok, I know they are a reality but they are also super expensive for the most part if you plan on getting one of any size from what I have seen looking online.

If the electricity goes out and you don't have a generator I am guessing this is the only option for keeping stuff cool as long as you have gas.

However, if the electricity goes out I am guessing the natural gas lines want last forever either.

Anyone have one of these and can share your experences? In advance, thanks! I wonder if their would last an EMP?

[NHsorter]

My Grandfather has one out on his island house/camp. It was built in the 40's. Servel is the brand I think. It runs all summer on a 100# propane tank. Works great and always has. I don't see what an EMP could do to it. There is no circuitry whatsoever. Just a burner and some coils. Don't know how they make them now though.

[Copper Catcher]

http://www.propanerefrigerator.us/propa ... rostek.htm

Looks like an interesting alternative to electric....However it is expensive!

[daviscfad]

get you a generator that runs on natural gas and don't worry about anything.

[Copper Catcher]

A loud generator in my opinion is asking for unwanted visitors.

[68Camaro]

A loud generator in my opinion is asking for unwanted visitors.

Install a better muffler/exhaust system... But it's not the noise that is going to make a house stand-out - it's the lights at night. If you want to be laying low during a critical time you'll need to be using black-out curtains, and if you really want to stay under the radar to everyone you'll have to go natural, create no thermal image difference from the background at all.

There are MANY natural disasters/events where I want power to replace the loss of distributed power, well before any SHTF event.

[alpacafarmer]

I have NG fridge. A Servel from the 40's. These are built to last forever. The new ones are very expensive and I doubt they will last as long. Mine runs from a gas well on my farm so I won't need to worry about a supply of fuel. I have an automatic whole house NG generator also but how long would it run in a SHTF situation? I'm blessed with the chance to test out my preparedness level often as we have the worst electrical service in the country. We are on day seven with no electric and the electric company hopes to have someone in the area next Monday or Tues. to start working on repairs. I believe NG is the way to go and will be available much longer than electric, gas or propane.

[daviscfad]

john i don't think the gas generators put off a lot of noise. fromy understanding when the lights go out the natural gas generator automatically kicks on.

[Mossy]

From what I recall (not very well) some have a problem working if they have been tipped over. Need to look into that.

[texcollex]

From what I recall (not very well) some have a problem working if they have been tipped over. Need to look into that.

If you lay it down or tip it over it develops air bubbles in the refrigerant. You must stand it up and leave it turned off for 24 hours or so before attempting to restart it. They run on basically the same amount of gas as a pilot light.

[Copper Catcher]

I have a buddy that is putting in a whole house generac system. He is going to have the guy call me eventually. My wife want to go hear one running first.

Looking toward this one to run on natural gas:
http://www.generac.com/Residential/Guar ... ies_20_kW/

The control has a ten second delay switching over when power goes down. Also it click on test mode I think weekly or maybe monthly not sure.

[68Camaro]

I have a buddy that is putting in a whole house generac system. He is going to have the guy call me eventually. My wife want to go hear one running first.

Looking toward this one to run on natural gas:
http://www.generac.com/Residential/Guar ... ies_20_kW/

The control has a ten second delay switching over when power goes down. Also it click on test mode I think weekly or maybe monthly not sure.

Weekly... I have one. Noise is there, but not too bad. Obviously a consideration, and the unit should be placed and oriented with that in mind. I've spent some time looking into alternate noise supression methods, but it's been away too far down my to-do list.

[Engineer]

I've spent some time looking into alternate noise supression methods, but it's been away too far down my to-do list.

A pipe full of marbles would be an interesting experiment.