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Interesting read in this month's issue of CW on refrigeration

Still smarting from that GOBI attack, I read it twice. I never heard of a "Stirling" cooling system before, but was VERY interested in the supposed ease of installaltion and the reasonable price. It is not a marine system but was adapted from a "Coleman Stirling Power Cooler". Supposed to be able to make ice on 12 volts for about $400 or less, drawing 4amps while making ice and less than 2amps as a really cold fridge.

After research, I find that this is pretty wild. The compressor piston rides on helium and is moved by electromagnets. It was originally made by a company call "Global Cooling" for Coleman, now made by Twinbird in Japan and was sold at Cosco around 2006. As with all things wonderful, this now has a catch. Something to the effect that this technology works so well, it has the capabilty of cooling down to cryogenic levels so can be used to cool the electronics in weapons systems. Therefore, the technology is now regulated by the U.S. Government?? The source says that in order to purchase said system from Twinbird in Japan you must sign and agree to these regulations so as not provide it to (whomever??). So far I have not been anle to locate a source in the U.S.

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