portable refrigerator 12V DC/110V AC

BrentB

I am looking for a portable travel refrigerator to use in the car and boat.
What are you using?

JamesTXSD · Posted: Fri Nov 13, 2009 10:52 am Post subject:

Hi Brent,

We use one like this...

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0013BII5Y/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_1?pf_rd_p=486539851&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B000Z4NY90&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1CK0WEC8BXG88A5K9AAQ

for travel in the truck. It keeps drinks/snacks cold and is very portable. We haven't used it on the boat, since our 25 has a fridge. I'm not a big fan of a cooler full of melting ice getting everything in it wet. When on the road with this cooler, we do sometimes put a sandwich size baggie full of ice in there, to refresh our sodas while on the road. It does a good job for our needs.

Best wishes,
Jim B.

marvin4239 · Posted: Fri Nov 13, 2009 11:50 am Post subject:

Not really as portable as what Jim uses but I have a Waeco 35 built into a sliding shelf in my boat. What I like about it is it has a thermostat and can be used as either a fridge or freezer. They are sort of pricey but I really like mine. They make smaller models also and a setting that turns them off a users set voltage to prevent dead batteries.

http://www.waeco.com/en/3122_420.php?hirID=284&sprID=2&artOrigID=24024

Byrdman · Posted: Sat Nov 14, 2009 9:55 am Post subject:

Have one of the small fridges in my RF246 wheel house. Works on both AC via shore power and DC. May be taking it out simply due to not using it that much on the boat....and find that I still like my big coolers.

May convert this little fridge for a cooler to run in the back of the Excursion for road trips.... or just sell it. Time will tell.

Byrdman

Westfield 11 · Posted: Sat Nov 14, 2009 12:31 pm Post subject:

We have a Coleman 12V cooler we bought at Wall-Mart for the truck. It also have a 110V adaptor and claims to lower temps by 30 degrees. We fill it the night before a trip and plug it into the house, that way it is already cold when you leave in the morning. It isn't perfect, but then it only costs $60.00!

We have used it in 105 degree summer days under the pick-up bed tonneau and every thing was nice and cold after a 10 hour drive. It's great to be able to pack lunch without it getting all wet from melting ice.

JamesTXSD · Posted: Sat Nov 14, 2009 2:38 pm Post subject:

Re: the Coleman cooler from Wal-Mart. When our original B&D cooler died last month (after quite a few years of service), we tried a Coleman from Wal-Mart (no idea if it is the same model that Westfield is referring to)... it was SO LOUD and the sound was at a pitch that really bothered me. We wound up taking it back and getting another B&D just like the original one... much quieter (and smaller than the Coleman).

So, if you do get one of the small portable units, be sure you can live with the sound it makes, especially if it rides right behind you in the truck. Wink

Best wishes,
Jim B.

thataway · Posted: Tue Nov 17, 2009 11:22 pm Post subject:

We have used our Norcold chest type (freezer or refigerator) on several boats, in trucks, RV (freezer) and currently on the C Dory. It will keep ice cream frozen. Granted they are expensive, but this one is 16 years old and still runs well. Our first one lasted almost 20 years, but we did it in by keeping in an open cockpit and allowing spray to rust it...

Calman · Posted: Wed Nov 18, 2009 7:27 am Post subject:

For 20 years I used a large AC/DC Igloo cooler for shopping trips to the commissary (100 miles R/T) as well as camping. As advertised, it kept the foodstuffs at 40 degrees below the external temperture.

However, I could drop the temperture another 10 to 15 degrees by placing a small piece (1 lb) of dry ice in an enclosed box in the bottom of the Igloo. (Box used to keep moist out of the Igloo.)