Replace refrigerator with 12V cooler?

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randy17440
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Joined: 02/15/2015 - 21:35
Replace refrigerator with 12V cooler?

The Dometic refrigerator in my 1999 16-footer failed in the propane mode on a recent camping trip.  I'm ready to give up on it.

I have been looking at "iceless ice chests".  They're 12V powered, and seem to have a low enough current draw to work OK along with my solar charger.  Some of them advertise that they can be placed on end, like a mini-refrigerator.  I've done some measurements, and a 38 quart cooler would fit on end in the refrigerator compartment (along with some clever refitting and reframing).

Has anyone done this?  As a secondary question, what 12V coolers do people like?

Thanks,

Randy

ELongest
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You need to watch this You

You need to watch this You Tube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tFzy-6LCnTE&t=182s I use an Engel 45 with a swing compressor and a 100W panel keeps up with the needed power. 

Eddie

randy17440
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Joined: 02/15/2015 - 21:35
Thanks for posting that. 

Thanks for posting that.  Actual experience is always useful.

I rejected the thermoelectric style coolers right away, because we are often out in pretty warm daytime temperatures, and by their own admission, they wouldn't cool enough.

What I have done is purchase a Costway 55 Qt. cooler.  Judging by similarity in the photos, I believe the Costway came from the same manufacturer as the Alpicool.  I just got it two days ago, and I'm still in trial mode.  I initially cooled in down in the using the AC adaptor.  It came in with an inside temp of 90F, and, in  a warm porch, it went down to 35 between 3:00 PM and 8:00 AM.  On Max cool.  Next, I took it out to my Scamp and plugged it into the 12V, put the voltage protection on Low, and set it on Eco mode.  My battery was a little bit down at that point, 12.2 V.  When I checked it later, the display showed the Er1 code, which means it shut off due to battery protection.  The battery had only declined to 12.1.  This didn't seem right.

I hooked up my 100W suitcase solar charger, and restarted the cooler.  When I went back, it had shut off again, and the battery was fully charged at 13.2 V.  Well, it could have turned off earlier, so I started it again.  It still shut off with an Er1.  Not good.  I looked at the power plug, where the setting switch is.  There was a little sticker next to the three position switch, positioned next to the top two settings (Med and Hi).  This time I also noticed a sticker with red lettering that reads "Do not use Low setting or it will run off your car battery".   Whaa?   I couldn't find my Chinglish translator book, so I decided to go with the first phrase "Do not use Low setting".  I set it on medium, set Eco mode about 1/2 hour ago.  The ambient temp in the trailer is 90.  I just looked, and it's sitting happily at the set point of 34F.   So I'm provisionally satisfied but still uneasy about the battery thing.  I need to see if it gets through a night with no solar w/o shutting off.  I'll report back later.

Randy

Randy in Paonia

Going Light
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So, Randy. Two years of

So, Randy. Two years of pandemic later, did you come up with a solution for this? How did it go? Have you been effectively using it?