Koolatron Help

[Vedette]

Koolatron Wiring??
I have a Koolatron cooler that I hope to run while I am towing.
It came with its own converter.
Can I eliminate this converter and run it thru a 12 volt outlet that is hooked to my Progressive Dynamics converter, that will be interupted by a switch that will send 12V power from my tow vehicle alternator while driving.
Need some help fom you electrical wizzes.
And what is wrong with cigarette lights as outlets for 12v.
What should I use?
Thanks for any help.
Good Roads
Brian

[madjack]

...ciggy lighter outlets are OK for appliances as long as their amp rating doesn't exceed the rating of the outlet...one other note, Koolatrons(and similar) are power hogs and CAN run a batt down in just a few hours of use...they work pretty good while driving and plenty of power is available, just beware of usage while sitting at the campsite...........
madjack

[GerryS]

...ciggy lighter outlets are OK for appliances as long as their amp rating doesn't exceed the rating of the outlet...one other note, Koolatrons(and similar) are power hogs and CAN run a batt down in just a few hours of use...they work pretty good while driving and plenty of power is available, just beware of usage while sitting at the campsite...........
madjack

Some models supposedly will turn off leaving enough juice to start the car. I wouldnt trust that feature, but it might be there on yours.

On warm days (95?) how well do these units really cool? 40 degree drop is typical for peltier coolers...I think that is optimistic for most

[madjack]

...ciggy lighter outlets are OK for appliances as long as their amp rating doesn't exceed the rating of the outlet...one other note, Koolatrons(and similar) are power hogs and CAN run a batt down in just a few hours of use...they work pretty good while driving and plenty of power is available, just beware of usage while sitting at the campsite...........
madjack

Some models supposedly will turn off leaving enough juice to start the car. I wouldnt trust that feature, but it might be there on yours.

On warm days (95?) how well do these units really cool? 40 degree drop is typical for peltier coolers...I think that is optimistic for most

I've owned several of these type coolers over the years and 40* may be optimistic but not that far off, especially if the product is cooled before putting in the cooler...working in a car(or big truck in my case) with the AC going(lower ambient temp) they work OK...keeping something cool in 90* ambient isn't going to work all that well...your drinks will be tepid and your bologna will be green...plus 4-5+hours of run time can kill a car batt...like I said, they work fine while traveling, not so much while sitting......
madjack

[GerryS]

I've owned several of these type coolers over the years and 40* may be optimistic but not that far off, especially if the product is cooled before putting in the cooler...working in a car(or big truck in my case) with the AC going(lower ambient temp) they work OK...keeping something cool in 90* ambient isn't going to work all that well...your drinks will be tepid and your bologna will be green...plus 4-5+hours of run time can kill a car batt...like I said, they work fine while traveling, not so much while sitting......
madjack

Thats my experience too...

I know they are MUCH more expensive, but how do the Dometics compare? They are rated at 2.5 amps and then only run when needed....or the Engel's?

Both of those are compressor based...and get much colder, to the point of being freezers. I'm leaning towards one of those. I need to make sure it fits in the Galley...

On youtoob both are well liked, But I am concerned because they are all aussie reviews. I'd hate to spend a couple hundred bucks and not be able to buy a part or get warranty service if I needed it.

[GerryS]

Koolatron Wiring??
I have a Koolatron cooler that I hope to run while I am towing.
It came with its own converter.
Can I eliminate this converter and run it thru a 12 volt outlet that is hooked to my Progressive Dynamics converter, that will be interupted by a switch that will send 12V power from my tow vehicle alternator while driving.
Need some help fom you electrical wizzes.
And what is wrong with cigarette lights as outlets for 12v.
What should I use?
Thanks for any help.
Good Roads
Brian

Are you running this off a battery in the camper while towing, or in the car? If you're charging while towing, keeping the cooler in the warehouse uses that unused storage space in back. If thats the case, there's a device (for the life of me, I can't recall what its called) that will "disconnect" the trailer from the car when you turn off the ignition...automatically. You don't have to remember to unplug the trailer, and won't suck your battery in the car down.

If its in the car, Madjack is probably right with the cigarette lighter. Its definitely the easiest way to go. If you want to do in the 'hard' way just wire from the battery (be sure a fuse is within a few inches of the battery connection!!!) to a relay that is tripped by a 'switched' post on your fuse block. Radio Shack will have everything you'd need to do that....should cost more than 15-20 bucks for everything...relay, fuse holder, aux power port, wire.

The cigarette lighter (Sorry....auxiliary power socket) isn't switched....so be sure you unplug at stops. The biggest problem I've had with the aux power port has been with transmitter radios (Ham) -- the power isn't 'clean' and you get a lot of alternator noise coming from them. Probably not a big deal with a refrigerator, unless your start hearing voices coming from the cooler. In that case, personally, I'd check my meds

[Shadow Catcher]

We have a Waeco which is a Dometic by another name, and I found ours barely used. Nancy was not sold on the idea until she got to use it a few times and did not have to fish things out of melt water. Yes it will freeze things if you do not set it correctly.
Ours travels in the back of the Subaru and is plugged into a 12V line I ran from the battery. There is a power point in the back of the Sub but I was not entirely happy (don"t like the "cigy" plugs) and changed over to Anderson Power Poles. This also allows me to use that plug to jump to the trailer battery in addition to the trailer plug with a potential 60A form the alternator in the TV to charge the battery.

[droid_ca]

I have a koolatron but it is a wine cooler for in the house and it works good when I looked at it I noticed that it runs off 12 volts as well
[http://koolatrononline.stores.yahoo.net/6-bottle-countertop-wine-cellar.html
I was thinking that it would be a nice addition to a trailer

[madjack]

I have a koolatron but it is a wine cooler for in the house and it works good when I looked at it I noticed that it runs off 12 volts as well
[http://koolatrononline.stores.yahoo.net/6-bottle-countertop-wine-cellar.html
I was thinking that it would be a nice addition to a trailer

...my opinion only...Koolatrons and other peltier type coolers are absolutely worthless on a campsite...they don't cool well enough(90* ambient=above 50* in cooler) and are absolute batt hogs...without shore power, they will do nothing but spoil your balloney and kill your batts quickly...the Engels, Waecos, Dometics and Edgestars are the way to go if you want batt powered coolers... http://www.compactappliance.com/FP430-C ... el_Coolers or the 80qt would be my choice if I had the bux............
madjack

[Vedette]

Thanks for the replies to this post.
Bu I am still alittle in the dark.
Some of the comments make me wish I did not purchase the Koolatron Cooler.
We hope to have the cooler powered by the cars alternator while traveling, switched to the trailers battery when stopped. An then to a shore line while camping at night.
More comments are appreciated.
Thanks
Brian

[BrwBier]

First, you have to know lots of what you hear about that type of cooler is only part true. Not everyone lives in the deep south and it is not always 90°. I have one and it always cools to about 43° below ambient temperature. That means if it is 80° my cooler is 37° inside. If I don't watch it it will some times freeze things. If it is 90° outside a little ice in the cooler will keep it just fine. We travel mostly as apposed to camping for a week and almost always have electric sites for the night. We stop at attractions along the way and never unplug the cooler unless it is for more than 4 hours. We have forgot and left it for a little more than 4 hours a few times and never had a problem starting the van. We keep it in the van and cover it with a blanket and have forgotten to plug it in a few times and the temperature stays in the low 40° range. We never put warm items in it and have a wireless thermometer in it to watch the temperature.
My main point is they work great, with some limitations and a little forethought goes a long way. Like don't put one in your truck and leave it overnight or it may not start and the everyone laughs at you. If your style of travel, like late spring or early fall when it is more moderate out, you won't disapointed with one.
Brwbier

[sagebrush]

I used a Koolatron for many years when I was an OTR driver. My trucks had 3 or 4 1000 amp batteries ( Takes min of 1000 amps to spin a big Cat Diesel) It WILL freeze the contents if ambient temps. are cool, and if it is hot the contents will be warmer. You gotta use your grey matter and plan ahead. Works better if contents are precooled. That said MY PERSONAL choice now is ice, but to each his own. Koolatron will do a good job if you accept the limitations

[Vedette]

Thanks Guys
Nice to hear your comments.
I think we will stay with the Koolatron.
And I will buy some 12v recepticals from the local RV place.
Good Roads
Brian