Highway fuel mileage with electric cooler and without.

[bgn]

I want to invest in one with swappable batteries - so you can charge one via solar while camping or plug into the vehicle - but then its like $1500 all-in for batteries, solar panel, and fridge. That buys me a lot of ice, and most trips aren't long enough to run out of ice. We camp in bear country enough that we also have to account for putting it in/out of the bear box.
Still haven't been convinced it would be worth the investment for us. Your use seems a better fit.

A $200 RTIC with ice packs or frozen 1 gallon water jugs is going to be just as good for most use cases as a fridge. I have a $1500 portable battery and solar panel setup, and still don't have a fridge because I can't justify it after already owning a decent cooler.

Sponsored

 

[bluesteel]

I have a thermoelectric cooler and a 12V compressor fridge/freezer. I think each has its place. I like the cooler because it has less "wasted" space (if you will) for the mechanicals; it is easier to carry, with a single folding handle; and it is much lighter than the fridge for the same or more interior usable space (around 25 qt). For that reason, IMO it also lends itself better to being used as a regular cooler with ice (turned off) in a pinch, though the top needs to be insulated as that's where the fan and vent are on mine.

All that said, the fridge is much more efficient, and I only use the cooler in a climate controlled space where it can be plugged into AC power (especially if I'm not paying for it) and in the vehicle when the engine is mostly running. I am not convinced this draw has any significant impact on mileage as the OP posited.

 

[nobes]

What is the best electric cooler to plug into the AC in the back, and how low will the temp go below the outside air temp, or worse, the INSIDE air temp?

Sponsored