Portable fridge in the heat

[Sykotyk]

Years ago for a long road trip I bought an electric cooler to have things like drinks and snacks and make sandwiches etc. It worked but it doesn't really cool things down. It just keeps them cool. But also was in the back seat of an air conditioned vehicle.

Recommend getting some ice (like a large cup from a gas station usually can get that for free) to ensure drinks cool faster if you're putting in warm cans or bottles.

Honestly, consider a yeti or igloo heavy duty cooler and just use a bag of ice.

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[Maverickman74]

Years ago for a long road trip I bought an electric cooler to have things like drinks and snacks and make sandwiches etc. It worked but it doesn't really cool things down. It just keeps them cool. But also was in the back seat of an air conditioned vehicle.

Recommend getting some ice (like a large cup from a gas station usually can get that for free) to ensure drinks cool faster if you're putting in warm cans or bottles.

Honestly, consider a yeti or igloo heavy duty cooler and just use a bag of ice.

That was a thermoelectric cooler. They are using a process that is terribly inefficient. Today's fridge freezers are all compressor style just like any fridge or freezer in your home. They freeze! Pricing starts at $200 and goes up over $1000 depending on built in batteries, fancy tech, and snazzy styling. I often put cold things in mine to get them working faster but other than taking a lil time to cool down (like an hour or so depending) other than that they are way better than any ice power cooler. Quality coolers like yeti are basically the same price, so why ever hassle with ice and draining and soggy things again? Modern ones even have a battery and wheels so you can take em anywhere once your road ends. I have even used a Ryobi 18v battery inverter to power mine at the beach. A regular 4ah tool battery runs about an hour. Fridge stays cold for another hour or so after that.

 

[TrailMaster]

That was a thermoelectric cooler. They are using a process that is terribly inefficient. Today's fridge freezers are all compressor style just like any fridge or freezer in your home. They freeze! Pricing starts at $200 and goes up over $1000 depending on built in batteries, fancy tech, and snazzy styling. I often put cold things in mine to get them working faster but other than taking a lil time to cool down (like an hour or so depending) other than that they are way better than any ice power cooler. Quality coolers like yeti are basically the same price, so why ever hassle with ice and draining and soggy things again? Modern ones even have a battery and wheels so you can take em anywhere once your road ends. I have even used a Ryobi 18v battery inverter to power mine at the beach. A regular 4ah tool battery runs about an hour. Fridge stays cold for another hour or so after that.

Yes the compressor coolers are very efficient, especially when running from a DC setup. Inverters waste a considerable amount of energy converting the 12v DC to AC. I'd recommend a cooler with a SECOP compressor like an ICECO, and an insulated cover. They are more expensive than others, but are worth the price because of superior efficiency and durability. No ice, no wet mushy food.

 

[MakinDoForNow]

The AC inverter is not made for things with compressors. You can get portable fridges that run off 12 volts and they work very well.

Plus you don't have 7-15% power conversion loss if using 12v. Properly wired to 12v buss the dcdc converter can easily provide 80-100 amps in hybrid as it's rated for 265 amps continuous.

 

[jfourman]

For tent camping, I installed a 12V socket/USB/Voltage meter/On-Off panel in the right cubby. My Euhomy CF-45 qt refrigerator is plugged into the 12V socket. My Ecoflow Delta 2 power station is plugged into the 120V/400W outlet. Both power and charge fine without pulling down battery voltage which remains at ~14.4V. The outlets are only powered while the engine is running. When not connected, the Ecoflow will keep my refrigerator running for 48hrs+.

 

[RAnSD619]

I run this dual zone fridge in the my bed when I have my family with me but prefer to run it in the backseat if its free so it doesn’t have to work as hard.
https://www.newair.com/products/newair-portable-cooler-electric-fridge-freezer

I also run it off an EcoFlow power station so that my fridge continues to run when the Mav isn’t.

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