anybody recommend a good 12v cooler?

The very best fridge on the market today that will fit into your truck's fridge compartment and is 12 volt but be prepared to spend some cash... but it sure beats having to keep replacing it every few months with another cheapy. Check out Engel Refrigerators on google search for the best pricing. I have one and it's worth the investment. It comes with both the 12 volt cigarette lighter plug and an AC plug.

 

I got a Coleman at walmart for about $70. It worked great for about a year, and stopped cooling. I did some research, and figured out what the problem was, and found the part online for less than $20. Never had a problem with it after that, it worked great.
Oh yeah, when I got it, it came with a convertor so you could plug it into 110v at home, or hotel or whatever. I've seen those convertors in truck stops for $69, so I think I got a great deal.

 

I had an igloo for 5 years before the motor burned up causing a larger draw that caused the plug to melt. If you get and igloo don't buy the replacement parts just replace the cooler all together. I now have the brown colman. it gets cooler quicker than the igloo and I love it. Can't vouch for how long it will last though.

 

this is the porblem i keep having. What was the part you replaced and where did you get it?

 

shoot, bigcountry, that was years ago, can't remember right off the top of my head.
let me do some checking, and i'll see if i can track it down.

 

bigcountry, I just checked Coleman parts for the type cooler I have. The fan and motor kit is $15.
But, if your module needs replacing, it runs $39. The module is the cast metal part that has cooling fins.
I can't remember just how I found out what the problem was with mine, but I could swear it cost less than $20 for the part.
Even a new module would be cheaper than buying a new one.
But, like my brother told me one time, if your 20 year old washing machine needs a new motor and you replace the motor, everything else is 20 years old, and may soon go bad. I don't know how old your cooler is, but it is something to consider. If mine were to quit working today, seeing as how it is 8 years old, it may be time to update to a newer model.

 

I, too, have had a problem with the Coleman power plug. Apparently, the plug on the end of the cord isn't sufficient to handle the current draw. My first one burned up in about a month. I replace the plug with a 20-Amp model from Radio Shack, and it lasted another two years before the fan went. Decided to replace the whole unit at that point (fool me once, shame on you . . . ). Bought another one that never had that problem; put it in storage with my last truck, went the "dorm-sized" fridge route (complete with freezer) with a 1500 watt inverter under the bunk. You can run the biggest of them on a 185 Watt inverter, however. We just wanted the extra power for laptops, chargers, vacuum cleaner, etc.

 

Yeah I have went through 2 or 3 in a year and a half. I have checked coleman, ebay, hell everywhere and can't seem to find any parts at all for this darn thing. Everything i find is for the older models and won't work on the one i got. I know for sure when this one goes its going to be the last thing i ever buy from coleman if i can help it. I am intrigued now though so i will do some more digging around.

 

Have you tried the coleman website? They have a link for parts, and you have to pick your model number. I wasn't sure what model number I have, and went through just about all of them, looking at the parts diagrams, before I found mine.

 

Yes but i'll look again i may have overlooked something.