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[Gene GeRue <genegerue AT ruralize.com>]

> This is really going the other direction, but I have an old Servel
> refrigerator, which uses ammonia/water as it's coolant, and what amounts 
> to a propane pilot flame to "excite" the refrigerant. No moving parts, no
> noise, no power, just relatively expensive propane.

You're breaking my heart. I once left an old Servel behind in a basement 
because it was so large and heavy. I'd love to have it now.

> It seems to me that a fridge like this could be located near a hot water 
> source with a circulation pump (wood, solar, electric, gas, flubber 
> powered, or whatever) or a loop added off a radiant heat system. Coiled 
> copper tubing inserted into the fridges firebox would provide enough heat.

I must be missing something. Okay, we have hot water. Now what? How do I 
use that to make cold air in a cold box?

>  RV's use LP refrigerators still, so the technology is still available.

Yes, I have and need to have repaired a 3-way small fridge intended for RV 
use. It is headed for the summer kitchen and will be powered by propane.

>  I've seen some plans on the internet for homemade ammonia refrigerant 
> systems

I can put copper together but not stainless tubing. How does one get around 
the need for non-copper lines, which ammonia corrodes?