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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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12V Coolers

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GaryB
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4316 Posts

Initially Posted - 06/02/2013 : 20:45:02

Anyone have experience with Koolatron 12V coolers? I'm thinking about getting one of these -->> [url="http://www.compactappliance.com/P75-Koolatron-36-Quart-12-Volt-Portable-Travel-Cooler-Fridge/P75,default,pd.html?cgid=Outdoor_Living-Travel_Coolers"]Koolatron P75[/url]

Anyone know the dimensions of the stove area when the stove is removed?

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GaryB
Andiamo
'89 SR/WK #5862
Kemah,TX

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delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts

Response Posted - 06/02/2013 : 21:11:50

I'll be curious to watch this thread. We've got a Waeco fridge/freezer that'll run on both 12v & 120v and actually make ice if you want it to (instead of cooling 40f below ambient as this one will).

One of the things I noticed is that the cooler in your ad doesn't seem to be very efficient w/o power. Only holding the cool for three hours doesn't seem very good, especially when they make 5 day coolers that'll hold ice in 90 degree heat for that long.

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SEAN
Admiral

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USA
772 Posts

Response Posted - 06/03/2013 : 04:27:52

great price ,

we have a -Engle from west marine . and love it keeps meats and drinks very cold ,
only thing is it has to run for 2-4 hours to get it icey cold .
the power draw is not bad with ours ..we do have a solor pannel to help keep it going with out useing the motor for charging .
and turn it down at night if the battery is low .

I also had to bump up the 12volt supply to the unit , instuctions say 10 gage wire or better should be used ..
not a big deal but had to get that done before we used it .

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Davy J
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1511 Posts

Response Posted - 06/03/2013 : 05:12:50

We also have an Engle that works great. The Engle has a nice feature, it will automatically switch to 110v, once it detects it. But that Koolatron has very good reviews and has a tremendous price advantage on the other brands. For that price, I would try one out.

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awetmore
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1144 Posts

Response Posted - 06/03/2013 : 13:06:50

4 amps continuous.

So it'll draw down a group 24 battery to 50% charge in 11 hours. I'd need 15 amps minimum solar (that is 180 watts) of solar to keep up with it being used all the time on sunny days.

That doesn't sound very practical to me. I assume that it is based on a peltier device, they aren't very efficient. It's probably meant for use in a car where you can have continuous draw from the alternator.

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GaryB
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4316 Posts

Response Posted - 06/04/2013 : 10:17:40

Anyone have the dimensions of the stove area without the stove in it? Trying to decide which model I should buy.

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Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5445 Posts

Response Posted - 06/05/2013 : 20:21:54

Ive thought about buying a cold plate to suppliment my 3.5 day cooler. I should be able to extend the life of the ice if I use it only when motor sailing. On the other hand, I can probably just buy a little more ice.

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britinusa
Web Editor

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USA
5404 Posts

Response Posted - 06/06/2013 : 10:12:52

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by awetmore
 4 amps continuous.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Our Fridge Freezer draws a little over 4 amps at 12v. We take it down to 26F at home on 110v before heading to the ramp, then it runs on 12v. We have an 18w solar panel that puts out just over an amp and 2x75AH battery bank. I raise the freezer setting to 31F once disconnected from the 110v and it works great over our typical 3-5 day trips.

Plan is to get a second solar panel and possibly a wind turbine (considering building my own). If the turbine produced 4ah (48watts) it would power the Dometic Fridge Freezer just fine.

Paul

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TakeFive
Master Marine Consultant

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2272 Posts

Response Posted - 06/07/2013 : 17:51:40

Do any of you guys ever buy dry ice for extended trips?

I use re-freezable ice packs in my coolers, which typically last 2 days. If I need something to last longer, I'd consider getting a separate cooler to keep extra ice packs frozen using dry ice. Then just rotate the ice packs into the cooler with the food.

Seems like a good idea that doesn't require bolstering your 12v system. Have any of you tried it?

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GaryB
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4316 Posts

Response Posted - 06/07/2013 : 18:51:39

I've thought about it before but never actually tried it. If yo have kids on board you would have to be very careful they don't try to touch it because it will burn skin almost instantly if you touch the ice itself.

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Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3758 Posts

Response Posted - 06/07/2013 : 20:29:58

It will work, but Tupperware containers filled with water and frozen will last longer than an equivalent weight or volume of gel-packs and still keep stuff dry. Frozen gallon jugs of drinking water are another approach.

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britinusa
Web Editor

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USA
5404 Posts

Response Posted - 06/08/2013 : 04:06:03

Even with our Dometic, we chill down all of the freezable food & drinks.

Also, I prepare a 'Freeze a Meal' for each dinner on board. They stay frozen if we can keep the Dometic down.

Paul

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dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 06/08/2013 : 12:07:13

Regarding dry ice for extended trips, do not break a larger piece into smaller ones. that reduces longevity significantly. also, keep it wrapped in a sheet of newspaper - minimizes freezing things in the cooler.

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delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts

Response Posted - 06/08/2013 : 14:05:10

So, somewhat ironically, Rita found an older Koolatron in the thrift store she works at and brought it home to see if I wanted it. It doesn't have it's complete cord (I think you can change between a 120V & 12V cord, and our Waeco has something similar), so I cobbled up a cord to test it with.

I put my little weather station (Kestrel 3500) on temperature inside it, and the temperature inside dropped by 20 degrees pretty quickly, but it never got a chance to get much lower as it sucked my emergency jump starter battery dry in less than probably three hours. I didn't time it, but the battery had just come off charge, so it had a full charge, admittedly it's a number of years old, so probably not at full capacity anymore.

So, as Alex pointed out, be aware of the current draw if you get one of these. Rita's asked the lady working the store today to look & see if she can find the cord, if not, I can cobble something more permanent up than what I'm currently using (multimeter leads with alligator clips). Maybe another project for Sugru. I've already got a couple of extra 12 plugs I can use to make a cord. Otherwise, new cords are $11 on Amazon.

I doubt I'd ever use this on the boat, but certainly in the car or truck for a trip. Plus the price is right, $8 - 30% discount to employees, so that's what, $5.60 & tax plus some labor to make the cord or another $11 to get a new one. Not bad.

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Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3758 Posts

Response Posted - 06/08/2013 : 17:39:59

I use a small one in the car. It's pretty nice as long as you start with pre-chilled drinks. I also use it on the boat for daysails. A compressor/cold plate type uses fewer amp hours for long term cooling.

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