Research suggests that the electricity consumption of a micro absorption chiller can be lower than I previously expected. The pumps I have selected are small 12 or 24 volt DC magnetic drive pumps that draw less than 43 watts electricity (20 watt model is also available). These small pumps will not support a chiller at a high cooling rate, but they should achieve a 1/2 to one ton rating. A typical rotating fan on high draws about 40 watts, but this assumes a very small ac motor... small DC motors are a lot more efficient. I believe I can get the total electricity consumption well under 200 watts for a chiller that is 12,000 btu/hour, and this includes a cooling fan for the absorbent cooler. A thermostatic fan may be the best solution as the fan can operate only when needed as when air temperatures rise during particularly hot days. This way the system does not require the fan load at night and additional battery discharge is avoided. This should take the electricity consumption down below 150 watts.
Note that modern homes are often recommended for one ton of cooling for as much as 1200 s.f. A modest off grid home (imagine a 500-700 s.f. open cabin with excellent insulation and shading) can be cooled very well by the system I'm working on.
ADDENDUM: I stopped this project (see post #100).
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