12 volt coolers

Has anyone ever tried those 12 v cooler/refrigerators ? I'm thinking it would be good for road trips.

Any recommendations?

Also, just wondering why you couldn't use a normal 110 v compact refrigerator with a DC inverter?

 

We have 2, one the size of a normal standard cooler, and one the size for 6 cans of soda, both work very well.

The larger is almost identical to this, you can lay it flat as a normal cooler (came with meat tray for top) but it also came with a slide in shelf so you can stand it uprite and yous it like a mini fridge. Made by Colman



I don't know why you couldn't use a normal mini fridge with a converter other than IMO, you would have to take extra care not to bang it up, mainly the back side. The PVC cooler we have is pritty solid and has tooken a beating from time to time, works like a champ and although we bout it several years ago I belive the price was in the $100 range.

 

Yes sir, we also have two. Before that we used another many years before some little diode died! For around $100 or less and maybe $20 for a 120 power supply to use at camp. I added longer cord to ours so I could keep them in the back of the van. Either wife could reach between seats or while son was with us he could get our food and drinks. At camp just plug the inverter in. Cool great.
Beware, they can be pluggd in two ways. Turn the plug one way and it is a warmer. Other way is cooler. Can't keep stuff hot and cool at the same time. D'oh ! Warm soda does not taste good!
Also when parked for a long time, unplug it from car 12v lighter plug. It will run the battery down.
Once at "Christmas Something" amusement park in the Smokeys all day we found out the hard way. Wasn't enough juice left in battery to pop door locks.

 

I've had one for years, but honestly it's just as easy to use an insulated box with some blue-ice packs inside. When we go on trips we pack a few sodas, some fruit, etc. Don't need a whole lot of space. The 12v coolers are more bulky for the same amount of space, and are heavier.

 

But the owner of a real station wagon has plenty of room ! Ice packs get warm and ice melts. We're talkin road trips. Not a ride to grandma's house.

 

That's what I'm talkin about - real road trips

I'm convinced they work well. Just need to settle on the size. I'm thinking that the right size would hold enough to be worthwhile, but still easy to cart in and out of hotels.

 

By no meens bulkey, it's the same size as a normal cooler...ours is anyway. And as for wieght, again there really is no diference. Yes we have used the blue ice packs with it, but thats olny if we are going to lug it doun to the beach etc (no power) for a days outing. Our small one was real cheap..$30 maybe and a bit larger than a shoe box, perfect for 1 persons day lunch and pop as I used to use it, or just pop and water on a day outing.

 

Just ordered a Koolertron P95 (45 qt) from amazon after looking at a whole bunch of models and reviews. It'll be here Wednesday, in time for a road trip to North Georgia.

 

Ours are both Koolertron and the size sounds right. Roughly the size of those old style cheap foam coolers.
Bought the last one several years ago at Wally World. No cooler is light once you fill it with soda, beer, and food.
Remember unplug it when parked for a long time. There are low voltage thingies you can buy that will automatically shut them off if you need it. We only had a problem once when plugged in all day while parked.

 

I have one like Tedy's. It works fine to KEEP things cool but is too wimpy to chill warm things in anything less than a day.
It WILL drain a battery in short order if left running.
Mine is currently doing office duty with a 120v adapter. With it running 24/7 it does a much better job, little opportunity for that in a car.
For traveling I again use the old fashioned cooler with ice.
My $.02

 

TIP=======When we did a lot of camping, sometimes during several months while son was on school break, we'd put cold packs or ice in the Koolatron to get it cold. Then plug it in. When ready to hit the camping trail we'd remove the cool packs or ice, load it with soda and food.
The cooler would be plugged into the cig. plug until we arrived at camp. Then if there was electricity we'd use the 12V converter. If not, just keep the lid closed as much as possible.
We once traveled the Blue Ridge Pkwy and Sky Line drive for over a month with no overnite electricy and it did fine. Some mornings it would not be real cold but cool enough to keep milk, soda, and most foods. Only that one time, plugged into the van from early morning till evening, did the battery go dead.
Did it this way many years at Daytona Bike Week and several car events. The main thing is don't leave it plugged while not driving for long lenghs of time and keep the lid closed. Also protect from heat and sun.
Of course we are pioneers. Many moons ago we'd keep melons, soda, milk, etc in springs or creeks for cooling.

 

What I missed so far here: how cool is cool? I like my soda around 41F; will one of those 12V coolers cool my drinks from 'room' temperature to 41F in a few hours? Or do they need to be cold on forehand and will the 12V cooler remain the coolness longer than a regular cool box with ice (packs) in let's say 24 hrs?

PS: Thinking about buying one for a roadtrip

 

Harry you are just too kool! Of course anything to go in any type cooler should be precooled.
I do not believe they will bring the temp down that low in a few hours. Since we never actually checked the temps in our Koolatrons I have no idea if the soda, beer, wine, water was near 41` degrees. But it was usually cool enough except on some warm nights after being unplugged.
Still anything wet and chilly tastes good while traveling down the highway without AC or returning from hours of hiking on a beach, mountin, or desert.
Our newest son-in-law bought a regular ice chest cooler called a YETI. I believe that's the spelling. It is one of those fancy heavy duty type coolers for ice that the rich and famous would buy to go hunting or fishing. Cost him something like $330. I've never spent that much in cheap throw away coolers my entire life.
It's what you want and expect out of your cooler that counts. I remember the days when we bought $1.00 foam ice chests and used them one weekend before they split apart.
Those electric coolers do seem to do a good job while traveling. I do not like to stop often and they have helped keep our tummies full when driving from morning till nite.

how cool is cool?----------------> In answer to your cool question it's all relative depending on your relatives and other factors. We spent the summer with our kids. It was 100+ outside all month. Our daughter kept her house 72 degrees and cooler at night. Being used to Florida and slightly older, we froze our poopers off ! Same at our sons except he kept their house maybe 75 degrees.
To my wife 88 in the shade is too cool. I like it maybe 75. I do like drinks nearly slussy but cool is kool. Remember a normal spring is 72 degrees and if you jump in it's cool.

 

To throw in my $.02, I bought a $55 walmart cooler, idk the brand or anything, but its a big one. Once filled, better to have 2 people to carry it. I have left it outside in the summer with ice in it and it has stayed ICE COLD for over a week! 7 days of ice cold goodness! Just leave the water in as the ice melts. It was a great investment, and I don't see how that wouldn't work for you on a long trip. I will say you're gonna need a bit of room or a pickup to haul it though, but I don't have that problem.

 

mg:....what a idea....12 volt, 120 volt, ice, or ice pac, fridge or freezer, winter/summer open window


See, this is why ya young'ns need to listen to the old guys...... no compliment intended Cat.....



































Cat IMO....





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