12v cooler

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Davehrose1, Jul 13, 2024.

  1. Moosetek13

    Moosetek13 Road Train Member

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    And that could depend on the brand of truck. I had the same problem in a ProStar, but not in a Cascadia. It was always with the Coleman cooler.
    Perhaps the wiring is thinner on some trucks, or they use cheaper sockets?

    And here is a hint to use less power and keep things cooler... Place a one inch layer of Styrofoam between the floor and cooler.
    It isn't all about ambient temp. The floor can get quite warm when idling and during drive time. Insulating the bottom of the cooler removes a huge heat source.
     
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  3. kemosabi49

    kemosabi49 Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    I had both Coleman and Igloo. The 40 qt (I think) models. Long time ago. In a freightliner FLD and a Columbia. Both had a cubby behind the drivers seat with a 12V receptacle in it for the cooler. Ended up wiring them direct after the plugs melted.
    The 40 degrees below the ambient temp was true though. I had one plugged into a power source in the house once when I was on hometime. House temp was 68 and the soda in the cooler froze.
     
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  4. buzzarddriver

    buzzarddriver Road Train Member

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    Only problem i had with the Igloo 40 QT coolers was the little fan motor. Always seemed to last about 18 months then they squeal and freeze up. I carried a replacement fan motor in the truck so i could immediately replace it. The little motors were fairly cheap.
     
  5. Espressolane

    Espressolane Road Train Member

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    If you have one of these thermoelectric units, keep it directly off the floor. Put some sort of spacer/insulator under it. At least 3 inches will work well.
     
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  6. tscottme

    tscottme Road Train Member

    I easily spent far more on replacement power cords for the coleman and igloo 12 v coolers than the price of the 2 coolers I bought over the years. IMO, if I could get 2 months from a single power cord before it melted, I felt lucky. I would only use a 12v thermoelectric cooler until the 12v compressor cooler or fridge arrived to replace it. I had a wireless thermometer in mine and the temp display on the truck dashboard so I could see the moment it stopped working and replace the power cord at the next on-ramp.
     
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  7. Numb

    Numb Crusty Curmudgeon

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    and keep the fan vents clean. they suck up dust and crap.

    I used the cheap ones for years, never paid more than about 20-30 bucks every yrs to yr and a half.

    used my fuel points
     
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  8. azheavyduty

    azheavyduty Light Load Member

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    Just go get a refrigerator. You can get a BougeRV 42qt for about $250. Get a refrigerator/ freezer for $350. Mine have thousands of hours bouncing around in the back of 4x4's
     
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  9. tscottme

    tscottme Road Train Member

    And a real refrigerator will draw a LOT less power and keep your food MUCH colder than those useless Igloo or Coleman thermoelectric "coolers".
     
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