Ok, as a newbie I guess my question would be if the fridge was your only issue with the batteries, before going to a really expensive battery why not swap out the fridge for residential sized LP? Just as costly but should live way longer.
Since that is where my head went, now I have to wonder "what don't I know, and why would that not be the answer?" I really can't wait until I actually can be the one giving advice and not trying to learn from others posts....