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Thermoelectric coolers..

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ClamBeach
Master Marine Consultant

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3072 Posts

Initially Posted - 09/01/2003 : 13:32:14

The icebox thread was getting long... I wanted to ask if anyone here has tried one of the self-contained thermoelectric coolers ?

Seems like it might be a practical solution as long as you had enough juice to run it. I was surprised that they aren't much more than a 'regular' cooler...

http://www.igloocoolers.co.uk/Products/Active%20Cooling/activemain.htm

Currently maintaining two holes in the water...'77 Venture 23 and new to the family,
'78 Catalina 25

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matsche
Captain

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USA
280 Posts

Response Posted - 09/01/2003 : 15:00:38

I've used one. I think I got it from Walmart. It keeps stuff suprisingly cool, like a refigerator, as long as you're not constantly openning and closing it. I use it mostly for transporting food and drink via my car. For cold beer you're probably better off with ice.

John Matsche 1985 TR/FK #5171

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Bryan Beamer
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1038 Posts

Response Posted - 09/01/2003 : 20:42:26

The thermoelectric coolers I've seen only cool 40 degrees below the ambient temperature around the cooler. That means if it 90 degrees the inside of the cooler will only be 50 degrees. That can't keep meat or drinks cool.

Bryan Beamer
<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b3d607b3127cce8d07b033366e0000003180" border=0>
Daylight Again
C250wk #495
2003 National Champion

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Leon Sisson
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1893 Posts

Response Posted - 09/01/2003 : 21:14:46

ClamBeach,

Re: "<i>... anyone here has tried one of the self-contained thermoelectric coolers? ... might be a practical solution as long as you had enough juice to run it.</i>" --and-- "<i>... only cool 40 degrees below the ambient temperature around the cooler.</i>"

I've got one of the portable Coleman AC/DC units. The 40*F max temp diff and huge power consumption are both major drawbacks on a sailboat in the tropics. I suppose that hypothetically, one could be built with two of the heat exchangers in series with each other, producing a theoretical 80*F temperature differential, but more than doubling the already very high power consumption. You could run it off shore power, but it would flatten even a big battery bank very quickly.

I'm sticking with ice, either blue freezies in a portable cooler for a daysail, ice cubes in my insulation-added stock icebox for a weekend, or block ice in the thickly insulated custom build dinette icebox on longer trips.

-- Leon Sisson

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John V.
Admiral

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USA
559 Posts

Response Posted - 09/08/2003 : 22:19:19

I ran into Mike Hetzman aboard "Jaberwoky" 77 C25 FK. We were in Blind River Ontario. he used a propane refrigerator aboard his boat. He made some major modifications. the starboard setee was converted to a cabinet with drawers and cupboards and had held the fridge. The present cruise had them using a large well insulated ice chest. for a committed C25 cruiser this seemed like a very good idea. The dinette could be made into a large bunk by extending across to the base of the starboard settee. I have not looked into propane refrigerators, i believe they require a vent and of course all the precautions associated with the marine use of propane. I know that the fridge stays cold enough to make Ice.

John V. Nin Bimash II
77 C25 sk/sr #153

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The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.