How To Make A Deer Cooler
Introduction
A deer cooler is an important refrigeration equipment for those who are fond of deer meat. If you are into hunting, or if you have purchased a large piece of meat, you can use this freezer to preserve the meat for a longer duration. Although deer coolers are available for sale and can easily be purchased, they are quite expensive and you can make one yourself.
Materials Required
Fiber wall panels for the cooler
Insulation material
Cooler packs
Copper sheets to fabricate your own condenser
Commercial refrigeration components/locally available DIY refrigeration kit
Thermostat equipment
Tools Required
Measuring tape, pencil
Safety glasses
Pliers
Sawing machine
Soldering equipment
Wire cutter
Nails, screwdriver, and a drill
Instructions
Difficulty Level - Moderate
Step One: Before Building A Deer Cooler
Take a look around your local shops and scan the Internet to see the variety of deer coolers available. You can purchase and modify a used refrigeration unit, or you can make one from scratch. Either way, talk to fellow deer hunters to get insider tips. Get a few friends together to help you with the task.
Step Two: Size Of The Deer Cooler
The first thing to keep in mind when building a deer cooler is the size you are looking at. Before you start, it will help to keep the rule of thumb for the space required by a deer carcass in mind. A basic 6 6 7 ft is a good size for one adult deer. But if you cut up the head and the legs, there would be space for one more carcass. However, the final size you choose depends on your individual requirement.
Step Three: The Condenser
Aside from the compressor, the most important component of your deer cooler is the condenser. If the condenser does not work properly, the refrigerant you use for your deer cooler will not liquefy and cool it. The cheapest option is to build your own condenser, using sheets of 0.015-inch-thick sheets of copper. An alternative is to buy a second-hand condenser at a component shop. The heat load the deer cooler can handle depends on the size of the condenser. The best condensers have a maze of copper tubing of 1/4th inch bore running through the length of the copper sheets.
Step Four: The Compressor
All the components of your deer cooler will revolve around the compressor. This makes it one of the most important parts of your cooling unit. Of course, you want a cheaper compressor. So, scan the garage sales, or second-hand spare part shops for a compressor that has earlier been a part of a big refrigerator or a chest freezer. If you take it apart, you usually find that it just needs a small fix and is ready to be installed into your deer cooler. This exercise will save you a decent bundle and ensure that the deer cooler works perfectly!
Step Five: Final Assembly
Now that you have the main components of your deer cooler handy, it’s just a question of assembling the parts. Solder the copper lining and insulation sheets between fiber sheets. This will keep the deer cooler cool once you switch it on. Then, starting with the compressor, assemble the evaporator and the condenser together on the deer cooler. Do not forget to wire the thermostat switch to the cooler.
Tips
Keep the deer cooler design simple.
Collect information and get tips from experts and friends before you build your deer cooler.