Plug in/thermoelectric coolers

Discussion in 'Trucking Electronics, Gadgets and Software Forum' started by myminpins, Oct 14, 2007.

  1. myminpins

    myminpins Road Train Member

    1,578
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    Sep 20, 2007
    Dartmouth, NS, Canada
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    We are in an 18 wheeler all the time - driving all over USA and Canada. We got a Wal-Mart fridge hoping that would work but it wouldn't run - made our inverter go to "fault" all the time.

    So we got a Koolatron cooler - supposedly really good name brand from what I read. It ran fine for a day then quit. I've gotten it to turn back on again but it runs a few minutes then quits. It's way too warm in there and, once again, we're going to have to throw out food. (68 degrees in truck, 60 degrees in cooler - supposed to be 40 below room temperature so really cold) :biggrin_25513:

    So I'm wondering what your experiences are. We did use an adapter to plug in the cooler so it won't run our battery down to nothing but it doesn't run just plugged into the 9V adapter OR into the inverter. The inverter is fine as we run the microwave off it and toaster and it works perfectly.

    I'd love to buy one of the new fangled fridge/freezers made especially for truckers etc but at $400 to start, they're too pricey for me as of yet.

    We have an ice chest cooler I use for drinks but want a regular no ice cooler for milk, etc., that would spill if tipped or floating around in ice.


    What brand name have you used? Does it keep stuff REALLY cold? Have you had yours for years? Does it still work well? Did we maybe get a defective one just by chance? What name do you recommend?:biggrin_25514:

    Any help would be greatly appreciated as it's getting really frustrating throwing out food because it just spoils :(

    Thanks :)
     
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  3. Rebel Patriot

    Rebel Patriot Light Load Member

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    Jun 20, 2006
    Boston, MA
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    I've had similar problems with the cheaper thermoelectric coolers. I think part of the problem is that some of the coolers - like mine, a Coleman 40 qt, have fuses in the 12v power connector. The included fuse is a mere 7.5 and I had the unit causing faults like you described. The 7.5 even began melting after time, although it still kept the circuit going. Finally, it gave out. I have been using a slightly larger current fuse, mainly because it fit, but also to see if a larger fuse will work better.

    I may be doing something wrong, so take that above as my personal experience, not direct advice.
     
  4. panhandlepat

    panhandlepat Road Train Member

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    Jan 12, 2007
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    i had the same problem with my coleman. i went through 2 plugs for it because it wasn't making a good connection. wires and plug getting hot enough to melt. i finally pulled out the 12v plug socket in truck and hard wired the fridge. PROBLEM SOLVED the wires don't get hot any more.
     
  5. myminpins

    myminpins Road Train Member

    1,578
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    Sep 20, 2007
    Dartmouth, NS, Canada
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    Well, we picked up a 40 qt Coleman at a TA stop last night and it's working perfectly!!!!:biggrin_25519::biggrin_2559:

    We're running it through an adapter so you can plug it into your house but we're plugging it into the inverter we have, which shuts down if the truck battery gets too low since there's no alarm on this truck's battery.

    It's a Koolatron AC-15 adapter (Description:
    [from Amazon's site link - I can't post links yet :biggrin_25513:)

    So far, so good. It's been running about 12 hours and nothing is even warm, let alone hot. Hopefully this will solve our problems for a good long while :biggrin_25514::biggrin_25514:
     
  6. andy622000

    andy622000 Bobtail Member

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    Jul 5, 2007
    Kentville, NS
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    Hi Myminpins, can you pm me your email address please, i can't pm you as i haven't made 50 posts (stupid rule)
    Thanks
    Andy
     
  7. Gazoo

    Gazoo Resident Mental Patient

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    Apr 14, 2007
    Bedrock
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    For about a year and a half I used this Igloo Koolmate

    http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=3353216

    Worked flawlessly...only down side is making sure the temp inside was cool enough. 40 degrees cooler is NOT accurate, more like 20 degrees. I used a wireless thermometer to keep things in check. In fact, I still have the cooler (anyone wanna buy it? CHEAP) Finally stepped up to a fridge.
     
  8. notarps4me

    notarps4me Road Train Member

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    5,253
    Jan 1, 2007
    NASA HQ
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    I used to have a old coleman cooler that would freeze drinks. The new ones are junk. I lost count how many times I took it back. 2 or 3 and had 1 of our drivers say he had 5 in less than a year. I went with an igloo this last time and it is working great!
     
  9. myminpins

    myminpins Road Train Member

    1,578
    65
    Sep 20, 2007
    Dartmouth, NS, Canada
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    Well, the Coleman is still working great. Things are nice and COLD and no problems. I still want to go up to a fridge but they're way too pricey for now :)
     
  10. Gazoo

    Gazoo Resident Mental Patient

    626
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    Apr 14, 2007
    Bedrock
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    I bought a GE at Wally World for $119, with a 800 watt inverter it worked pretty good. I just bought a 2500 watter now.
     
  11. jda55

    jda55 Bobtail Member

    13
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    Jul 29, 2007
    Minnesota
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    Anyone use an Engel? They are very pricey.

    If not, what would you buy?
     
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