Thermo Electric Coolers - any recommendations?

[PaulC]

could even wild camp (boondock) for a week just on batteries (I did use 10 X 110 AH battery bank)

Mike already suggested a dorm fridge, gotta say its far better than coolboxes or messing with ice.............

Hi George, I like the idea, but I doubt if I would have enough room for all those batteries!
Cheers
Paul

[GeorgeTelford]

Hi Mike

I think at least a 600Watt invertor, the initial surge current is around 50 Amps when the Compressor cuts in then pootles along at around 12 Amps, runs for about 5 mins out of every 20 giving an average 3 amp usage per hour. (these were at 12v I measured before the invertor

The surge is likely to be similar for yours, if the small fridge is fairly efficient you may get a lessor average usage (but to be honest on the way to the campsite the power is pretty much free anyhow) on site and hooked up you are well away.

[mikeschn]

Thanks George,

Now to find a 600 watt inverter!

Mike...

[bdosborn]

The Engel only uses 65W. That's what attracted me to it. The 120 frig uses 2.5 times more current neglecting inverter losses. But, as I think about it, we really dont camp 5 days away from ice so it will probably be awhile before I buy a frig. Our 5 day cooler has been lasting longer than we've been camping.
Bruce

[GeorgeTelford]

Hi Bruce

Engel ? 65 Watts? is that a Compressor fridge? or a coolbox?

A mains fridge (mine is big household size fridge freezer) uses less than 3 Amps (at 12v) to run via an invertor (thats actual measured average), so the Engel is far less efficient by the looks of it. Or am I missing something?

[bdosborn]

George,
The engel is a compressor box. It uses a compressor that is more efficient (hence expensive) than typical refrigerators.

Using the frig that Mike posted the specs on as an example:

P=V*A
1.4A*120V=168W
168W/12V=14A

So I don't see Mike's mains frig using 3A at 12V. It might be 3 A-hr since, as you noted, the frig wouldn't run all the time.
Bruce