There is something zen-like about GoSun's new cooler. As it says on the website, "It's the age of innovation, yet we are still fighting against the sun to keep things cold." GoSun's new product, The Chill cooler, will be released this August. It uses the sun via solar panels to charge a battery pack and keep products cold, displacing completely the need for ice. There are even temperature controls where you can put it at optimal temperature for your goods, from -4 to 68 degrees F. It is just like having a fridge on wheels.
Does it work? "The brushless compressor system is so efficient that you can make ice," says Peter Harten, representative for GoSun. The battery pack, which can be charged on solar panels, outlet or through their other product the Solar Table, can keep everything cool for 14 hours on an 80 degree day. It also can be powered by a traditional outlet or by a DC power cord to a car, boat or RV that is provided with The Chill.
"What's also unique about the Chill is it can give power to charge phones and other USB products as well," Harten explains. The battery pack can power electronics via 3 USB ports, DC appliances up to 15 amps, as well as power GoSun Fusion Stove, a hybrid solar electric stove. Little touches, such as tie-down cleats and straps, wheels, handle, and bottle opener makes the product even more appealing. Without the need for ice, there is a lot more room for food. The website provides the detailed specifications: GoSun Chill weighs 28 LBS (12.7kg), fits 1.4 cubic feet (40 Liters) and stands 24" x 16" x 19" inches (60 x 40 x 48 cm). “For comparison, a "45 Liter" Yeti Tundra cooler holds just 28 beers and weighs 23 LBS before needing about 20 LBS of ice,” says Harten. The Chill, without all the ice, holds 55 canned beverages.
The Chill is an off-grid refrigerator without the noisy generator, powered by solar and does not need ice! [Photo/GoSun]
The Chill got its inspiration from GoSun's other products and feedback from customers. Harten said that customers would tell them about how much they liked the stoves and if they ever developed anything to keep food safe to let them know. "So, we saw a need for a cooking and a cooling solution," Harten tells The Buzz. "Our solar electric stoves handle the cooking but we realized customers needed something to keep food cool while being off-grid, too." Ice is heavy and inefficient for being off-grid so that was not in consideration. "Other iceless coolers on the market use something like car refrigerators," he says, "And we wanted something that can use solar." The Chill is their answer.
GoSun formed in 2013, starting with the GoSun Sport, a portable solar-oven. Based in Cincinnati, the company has always been focused on clean technology. "We focus on providing a way to have the same comfort and same level of lifestyle on the move as people can get in their homes," Harten said. "Whether they are boating, RVing, off-grid camping, or other."
Since the beginning, GoSun has utilized crowdfunding as a way to finance their products and provide feedback for each. "It is great to test the market and test price points for customers," Harten says. "Instead of being like Apple where they work on the iPhone 10 behind closed doors and then release it to the public, this way allows people and the company to work together on development." With each crowdfunding experience (they've had 6 so far), they become better and better at getting the right price and right timeline. The response from customers has been "tremendous," Harten says. By June 7, they received $595,611 by 869 different backers to fund the Chill on Indiegogo.
The company has around 10 full-time employees and solely focuses R&D on what clean technology is most effective in their production. "Our CEO and VP have decades of experience in solar and renewable energy and we have a team of engineers that work on new products, so we have a lot of strength in the product development side," Harten says. The Chill is the start of GoSun working towards expanding into appliances and things of that nature. “We are thinking of ways to do better off-grid lighting and water filtration,” he reports.
The company is known to make quality products. One reviewer comments on their stove: "Great products! I have both the sport and the grill. The sport is light and portable for camping; it works well in cold temps. And I often use the grill at home during the summer to avoid heating up my kitchen. No other solar cooking method can compete with this vacuum tube technology. I highly recommend these ovens!"
It is an exciting time in outdoor products. Renewable energy can revolutionize off-grid recreation and recreation in general. The Chill is sure to be a hit with anyone who spends much time outside. It’s lightweight, charges your phone or iPad, and keeps food and drinks at virtually any temperature you want.
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