12 volt chest cooler... your advise please...

[frenchie]

Just wanted to have members's opinion on which type of "cooler" should I use for my new van camper.I must mentione I don't want to spend too much money on that, so keep that in mind for advices.
My original idea was to use a simple coleman chest cooler, and using ice. But I saw at walmart a 12 voltschest cooler at $138.00 this cooler can be use upright or flat, which is cool. But, I have been told these type of 12 volts cooler have nothing to do with the high pricing 12volts fridge they sell at $600.00 and up. Apparently, those "cheap" 12 volts use a lot more power than the high priced type. and will not keep temperature as low as the high priced type... Any advises, tips on that ?

thank you all !

 

[Patd4u2]

Just wanted to have members's opinion on which type of "cooler" should I use for my new van camper.I must mentione I don't want to spend too much money on that, so keep that in mind for advices.
My original idea was to use a simple coleman chest cooler, and using ice. But I saw at walmart a 12 voltschest cooler at $138.00 this cooler can be use upright or flat, which is cool. But, I have been told these type of 12 volts cooler have nothing to do with the high pricing 12volts fridge they sell at $600.00 and up. Apparently, those "cheap" 12 volts use a lot more power than the high priced type. and will not keep temperature as low as the high priced type... Any advises, tips on that ?

thank you all !

I bought one of those Colman thermal electric coolers thinking they would be more economical on the batteries, but they are pretty useless, They only cool the contents around 30 degrees cooler than the surrounding temperature, say its 90 degrees out side, they will cool it to 60 degrees, useless for your milk and perishables. and they use more electricity than the Dan Foss compressor fridges.

 

[GotSmart]

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...IE4PSXZ25NRSL&psc=1&ref_=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl

Look at this type of freezer/refrigerator.  The coolers are a waste of money. 

There are many different threads on this.

 

[frenchie]

Thanks for the comments, I think I have my answer.... on that !

 

[Willy]

Try Craigslist for a compressor cooler. I've picked up 3 so far, at various times, from CL for a savings of 50-80% off list.. and they were all in great condition. ..Willy.

 

[frenchie]

no luck so far..will keep looking !

 

[Canine]

I'd have to say those coolers are a waste of money. It will probably be dead in a few months. Unfortunately, refrigeration is going to be expensive. Maybe you can get a scratch-and-dent or a used one. Hard to find, though. I've tried Willy's way, but have found not one fridge over about a 2 year period. Wish I had better news for you.

 

[Willy]

Right place, right time... and getting on Craigslist every day. I'd search using 'waeco', 'engel', and 'compressor cooler'. ..Willy.

 

[SoulRaven]

After fighting with powered fridges for many years, I switched back to an old fashioned ice chest. At a buck or 2 a week for a big block of ice, it is hard to beat, and will NEVER fail on you.

 

[Almost There]

After fighting with powered fridges for many years, I switched back to an old fashioned ice chest.  At a buck or 2 a week for a big block of ice, it is hard to beat, and will NEVER fail on you.

Well, that's not necessarily true either!

I have one of my two coolers whose drain plug refuses to plug. It spills water all over my nice floor each time the water level gets above the drain plug bottom. I've resorted to putting the ice in a plastic container and emptying the container before it overflows.

I can't wait to finish the electric system in my van and get rid of both coolers. Time for some refrigeration and some freezer space.

My cost of 'refrigeration' here in the winter in AZ and CA is running about $25.00 a month. More importantly, I won't keep raw meat on ice for more than 3 days so I'm having to pay the gas bill to run to town for ice and shopping every four days at least. Even if it's only a 5 or 6 mile trip each way, it uses gas. I also have to shop at grocery stores that have a full service butcher counter so that I don't have to eat the same meat 4 nights in a row to use up the pre-packaged counter meats.

It adds up quickly. The ROI (return on investment) for a full timer can be as little as a year when all the costs are added up.

 

[minimotos95]

I had a coleman thermoelectric cooler. Saved it from the dumpster, cleaned it up and put new fans in, ran it off grid power via a DC power supply for a few months before i gave it away. The fans they use are computer fans and are not designed to be cold and moist so the bearings go bad they get louder and eventually die. You can make them more efficient adding insulation and a thermostat but I wouldn't expect much better than cellar temperature in summer.
So I've been without refrigeration or ice since. Not a problem in the winter, I can have milk and all that but during g the summer I have to stick with non refrigerated foods and preparing meats within a few hours of buying them.
In spring I might consider getting something used and small like a dometic cf018 just because milk prices are basically half of what Nido costs now.

 

[SternWake]

Vandwellers basically either need to stay with a cooler and block ice, or go for the ~500$ 12v DC compressor fridge route.

Any of the options in between these extremes are serious compromises. Thermoelectric coolers are Ampwhores and not very effective in warmer temperatures,

An inverter powering an inexpensive 120vac dorm fridge requires twice the battery capacity and twice the recharging wattage, and an inverter big enough to handle the start up surge. If one already had a large inverter and a dorm fridge and enough excess solar and battery, then it works, but someone without these things will spend more on acquiring them than the price just for a 12vDC compressor fridge.

So, Stick with block ice and a good cooler, or throw down for a 12vdc compressor fridge, but do not waste time money effort or thought on any solution in between these extremes.

I did the cooler and block ice thing for 7 years full timing. Solar and a fridge was the single best investment in my van dwelling happiness, and has saved me money in the subsequent 8 years, even with my first fridge failing at the 5 year mark.

I vote for 12vDC compressor fridges with a Danfoss/Secop compressor, but have no personal experience with Waeco's compressor which might be found in Dometic's North American offerings.

 

[Wanderer]

Right place, right time... and getting on Craigslist every day. I'd search using 'waeco', 'engel', and 'compressor cooler'. ..Willy.

The waeco brought up a couple chest freezers...Nothing more on the other 2 (Other than HUGE industrial coolers : )

 

[Wanderer]

I had a coleman thermoelectric cooler. Saved it from the dumpster, cleaned it up and put new fans in, ran it off grid power via a DC power supply for a few months before i gave it away. The fans they use are computer fans and are not designed to be cold and moist so the bearings go bad they get louder and eventually die. You can make them more efficient adding insulation and a thermostat but I wouldn't expect much better than cellar temperature in summer.
So I've been without refrigeration or ice since. Not a problem in the winter, I can have milk and all that but during g the summer I have to stick with non refrigerated foods and preparing meats within a few hours of buying them.
In spring I might consider getting something used and small like a dometic cf018 just because milk prices are basically half of what Nido costs now.

I love having eggs, but during the summer, it was impossible without refrigeration...Then I found that the powdered scrambled egg mix was VERY tasty and worked well.

The price shot up for awhile (Due to egg shortage) but the prices are falling now....Still, $44 for a can is too high....50 cents a serving...but....if you are wanting eggs...then

 

[GotSmart]

The waeco brought up a couple chest freezers...Nothing more on the other 2 (Other than HUGE industrial coolers : )

Those chest freezers are combination units.  Adjust the temp control, and they are fridges.

 

[Willy]

The waeco brought up a couple chest freezers...Nothing more on the other 2 (Other than HUGE industrial coolers : )

  That's what I have, 2 chest freezers (Waeco & Engel), and they're GREAT! One I use as a freezer (the larger one), and the other I use as a cooler. I prefer the chest style over the fridge style cuz I can put it near anywhere. ..Willy.

 

[frenchie]

Hey group... Perhaps I forgot to mention, but I am not a full time vaddweller at all... only in summer time, on week ends. So considering this, along with all the good comments you made, unless I find a really good deal on kijiji or lespacs (our version of Craig's list) I will go with a good chest cooler with ice.

 

[ascii_man]

Those chest freezers are combination units.  Adjust the temp control, and they are fridges.

I thikn the term "combination" is a little misleading: many of these have only a single compartment, which can be EITHER a refrigerator OR a freezer. But others are dual-zone.

 

[highdesertranger]

good advice so far. if you where full time I would say go with the 12v refers, but since you are just weekends, ice will work fine. don't waste your money on the thermal coolers. highdesertranger

 

[ahh_me2]

I've seen the Whynters on Amazon.ca for around $5-600 Canadian.