Eating on the road, with Opti-idle, and keeping things cold.

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by amanwithcrabs, Oct 6, 2018.

  1. amanwithcrabs

    amanwithcrabs Light Load Member

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    I drive a 2016 Freightliner, with the automatic shutdown that keeps me from idling between 27-69 degrees F. I have a 12v cooler that will drain my batteries if left plugged in when not idling, 1800 inverter only lasts 2 hours at a time. Keeping food cold has become a challenge, I'm running out of pantry stable and just-add-hot-water foods that don't make me sigh sadly at the end of a long day. Any tips? Besides eating truck stop foods. I've been traumatized with the food poisoning..
     
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  3. IluvCATS

    IluvCATS Road Train Member

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    AManwithCrabs seeking any single females in my area..
     
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  4. amanwithcrabs

    amanwithcrabs Light Load Member

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  5. Rideandrepair

    Rideandrepair Road Train Member

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  6. Rideandrepair

    Rideandrepair Road Train Member

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    Get a cooler bag big enough and hang it on mirror outside. High enough to keep Bears from getting into it!
     
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  7. Moosetek13

    Moosetek13 Road Train Member

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    So what 12V cooler drains your batteries that fast? And you don't need the inverter to run it, as it will not even connect to it.

    I have the exact same setup. 1800W inverter, and I use the Coleman 12V cooler.
    The cooler does not draw enough to drain the batteries in less than a day or two. And the inverter is only really good for my toaster oven and grill. I can run the truck long enough to power them, even if I have to use a stick to hold the throttle pedal down for 30 minutes. Then it shuts off, but I can repeat the process if needed.

    I do not have a problem keeping food cool.
     
  8. Rideandrepair

    Rideandrepair Road Train Member

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    I like to find good places Today I had Good Catfish and Gulf Shrimp $9.00 Check parking on google maps. I drink Power aid doesn’t need refrigerated tastes good any way. Reminds me hook up refrigerator . Sounds like batteries are weak They need an isolated starting battery or a disconnect switch or another battery or something else is draining batteries.Generators a pain in the###
     
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  9. amanwithcrabs

    amanwithcrabs Light Load Member

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    I've had the batteries changed recently but the low battery alarm still sounds after idle has stopped, maybe 5 min, if the cooler is plugged in. Cell phone charger can do it too, distinctly annoying. The cooler is called a Road Pro, a soft lunch box thing with a cooling element on one side. Inverter I just mentioned as it's my only power most of the day/night/whenever I shut down, it's mostly only used for coffee maker. I wouldn't plug a cooling device into it.
     
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  10. amanwithcrabs

    amanwithcrabs Light Load Member

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    Those darn bears always sniffing around my truck...:D
     
  11. Rideandrepair

    Rideandrepair Road Train Member

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    Cell phone charger is very low amp 1 or 2 something’s wrong. Have the new batteries ever actually drawn down or just alarm goes off?
     
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