What is a good solar/fridge combination...

[shootercochran]

I am a diabetic...
And being a diabetic requires me to use insulin..
Which must be refrigerated..if kept longer than a month.
Right now I'm looking at a trip to bolivia for about 5 months and I really have no way to have power expept solar.

I know almost nothing about solar/fridges...
I know nothing about soalar panels and what else I'll need to go along with the two...
So I'm asking for help as to what I need and where I might be able to find it.
Neither of them would need to be big... we are talking about something big enough to hold about 20 or more sharpies.

[efremtags]

visit http://www.safehomeproducts.com

They have a lot of small 12V electric coolers. A 50-60W module wold work and a 12V deep cycle battery. They make some specialty foldable solar modules in this power range, surf the web. This will be easier for your transport in the 3rd world. You my have trouble finding or bringing a battery. they make some pretty small sealed batteries used for UPS in the 7 - 20AH range. They will last long enough for your use.

[shootercochran]

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?_DARGS=/cabelas/en/common/catalog/item-link.jsp_A&_DAV=MainCatcat20075-cat20167&id=0061031523482a&navCount=3&podId=0061031&parentId=cat20167&masterpathid=&navAction=push&catalogCode=XK&rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat601233&hasJS=true

Would a setup like this work for the panels?
I noticed it said it was only like 4 amps....

[charles p]

Get something that has Spanish instructions in case you need it repaired.

[shootercochran]

Ok would a combonation of these two power a small fridge???

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/links/link.jsp?id=0036388018049a&type=product&cmCat=SEARCH_all&returnPage=search-results1.jsp&Ntt=12+volt+batteries&Ntk=Products&sort=all&Go.y=11&N=0&Nty=1&hasJS=true&_dyncharset=ISO-8859-1&Go.x=20&_DARGS=%2Fcabelas%2Fen%2Fcommon%2Fsearch%2Fsearch-box.jsp.form1
http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?_DARGS=/cabelas/en/common/catalog/item-link.jsp_A&_DAV=MainCatcat20075-cat20167&id=0061031523482a&navCount=3&podId=0061031&parentId=cat20167&masterpathid=&navAction=push 

If so what type of connections would I need to get??? Here I where I really need help...

[shootercochran]

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/links/link.jsp?id=0020941016446a&type=product&cmCat=SEARCH_all&returnPage=search-results1.jsp&Ntk=Products&QueryText=deep+cycle+batteries&sort=all&Go.y=4&N=0&Nty=1&hasJS=true&_dyncharset=ISO-8859-1&Go.x=13&_DARGS=%2Fcabelas%2Fen%2Fcommon%2Fsearch%2Fsearch-box.jsp.form23

Or are we talking about something like this...kinda confusing...

[efremtags]

There's better sources on the web for solar than Cabelas (who is selling at 1.5x the price of a dedicated solar re-seller).

[efremtags]

I checked out the specs on the smallest fridge, draws 4.5A max. That put max power @ 60W, but realistically, it will be closer to 15-20W factoring run time is not 24/7 and the power is probably 2/3rd the max.

That said 60W is just barely adequate if you are judicious with the temperature setting and you keep the fridge in the shade.

Check out http://www.backup-power.ca/catalog/item/3393232/2970974.htm. They have some portable module models, not the best prices, but once you see some model#, you can do a web search for cheaper.

Also, a thought, Xantrex makes a XPOWER pack which is a battery, AC inverter and battery charger, all in 1 package. This may work for you because if there is some limited AC power available, you can utilize it, plus it's packaged for transport.

Note, this setup will not be cheap (lookin @ 1k), but you could probably get back most of the money invested when your done with it by selling it on ebay or craigslist.

Let me know how you make out.

[Empty Quiver]

What about something propane powered? I use a 12volt cooler in the truck and it is a power hungry animal. Its an older model and about 12"x20" inside I suppose.