12 volt cooler +/-

[burlesot]

Hello,
I am restoring a 1947 Tourette Teardrop Trailer.
As I am beginning to plan for a re-designed galley, I was wondering about considering a 12 volt cooler.
A little background: my trailer will have a 12 volt integrated system. I don't usually go to improved sites and thus decided not to put in a dual 12/120v system.
I was curious as to others experiences with a 12 volt cooler/warmer. I imagine it would be great while towing, but would probably draw more energy than I would like when camped. The only other devices that I would be 'using' would be a fantastic fan and a night light.

Has anyone had good or bad experiences with one of these coolers?

Ice is pretty cheap and might be easier in the long run.

I appreciate your thoughts.

Sincerely,
Todd

[GuitarPhotog]

Those thermoelectric coolers won't cool below about 40deg below ambient. So your cooler becomes "not food safe" 50F in 90F ambient temps. And they are energy hogs to boot.

There are several threads here about coolers and 12VDC refrigerators and ice boxes that have loads of alternatives.

Personally I use ice, in a cheap 2-day cooler with a "cooler cozy" to make it a 3-day cooler.

<Chas>

[burlesot]

Apologies for being lazy. I'll follow those posts.

TB

[Socal Tom]

The 12V cooler/warmers would probably be a bad fit for the usage you describe. They can drain a battery over night, and as stated above, they only cool 30 or 40 degrees below the ambient temperature. A normal ice chest, or an ARB style 12V refrigerator freezer ( $$$) will work well for you though.
Tom

[Gladtobehere]

As already mentioned the 12v coolers use quite a bit of energy so are only really practical when you are on the road. I still use ice and may venture to a propane/12v/120v type RV fridge if I get a bigger rig.

[MeelisV]

absorption refrigerator is
i have 3way system - 12V / 230V / gas and works well.
thermo electric coolers are

[pete42]

since I use a 12 volt Colman cooler every trip we take
I can tell you first hand they would not be a good choice for you.
then why do I use it them, you ask?
Because I hate fooling with ice and the messy ice water
since we always stay where there is 120 volt service be it campgrounds or motels the 12 volt works great for us.
BUT if left plugged in they like any electrical device left on or plugged in will over time run down your battery.
also as others have said don't expect it to make Ice cubes.

pete

[KenC]

I use a 12 vlt ARB DC refrigerator also hooks up to 12O Vlt AC when available, not cheap but works well for me, run it on a 12vlt battery connected to 3-20 Watt solar panels.

[Bogo]

None are prefect.

The two and three way absorption refrigerators powered by propane work well, but not great. When powered by 12VDC they will kill the battery just like a thermoelectric will. 12VDC works when driving or for short stops, but not for overnight. Don't expect them to freeze ice quickly, but they can. Also they need to be levelled to work properly.

I'd either go with a 5 day plus ice chest, or chest type compressor based 12VDC cooler, like the Engle Fridge/Freezers and similar. The chest style ones are made to be power efficient and use a fair bit less energy. Most will last three days being powered by one 100Ah battery without draining the battery more than 80%. Vertical door style refrigerators will mount nicely into cabinets, but every time you open them they let the cold air out. Even the chest ones are not perfect. If you want to freeze ice, you will need one set to freezing mode, or get one of the combined refrigerator freezer ones that costs allot. I've been planning on eventually using two, but one and a 5 day cooler will provide freezer and refrigerator space. Just freeze down jugs of water in the freezer, and exchange them for partially melted ones in the cooler.

[burlesot]

I'm pretty sure I'm just going to go with a traditional 2-3 day cooler. I want to build a sliding drawer for it.

Thanks for all of the insight and advice.

Todd

[GuitarPhotog]

If you are going to use ice and coolers, use two. One for food that doesn't get opened very often and stays cold. The other for beverages, which don't have to be kept quite so cold.

I have "cooler cozies" for both my coolers. I borrowed the idea from Nevadatear, they turn a cheap 2 day cooler into a 3 day cooler almost for free.

<Chas>

[Martinjmpr]

I do a lot of traveling in the desert and here's what you might want to consider:

1. If you think about it, most of your food doesn't need to stay cold. The stuff that has to stay cold is often rather small (meats, cheeses, milk.) What I did was I bought a small (about 19qt) Dometic Refrigerator (for about $300) which will be for the stuff that absolutely has to stay cold. True refrigerators will keep food cold enough to freeze and don't draw nearly as much current as a thermo cooler. A small fridge like mine is about half the cost of a big ARB.

2. My fridge will be augmented with a cooler, which will be for drinks, beer, and things that, while I'd like them to be cold, won't spoil if I run out of ice. and finally:

3. A very nice alternative to ice: Buy the smallest water bottles you can (usually the 8oz size is the smallest available.) Freeze them solid in your freezer for several days. Then use them like giant ice cubes in your cooler. Not only will they keep food cool and avoid the mess of ice cubes, but when they thaw out you can drink them!