I drove from SFBA (Richmond) to Connecticut and back in my Wolfy using one
of these Coleman Thermoelctronic coolers. Before leaving I installed a
second battery to help with the camping loads.

The cooler worked well, although we still preferred to put the more
perishable things in the ice coolers. While driving, it was always on, and
when stopped, we'd run it for several hours on the secondary batteries.
After that, the voltage dropped lower than I was comfortable with, so I let
it coast until we drove again. No cleaning/draining needed, that was nice.
It is built with typical good Coleman quality and design.

However, I kept on wishing for propane powered refrigeration. For long-term
camping, if solar, wind or hydro could provide the power, it would be the
perfect setup.

Maybe the thing is to put the Peltier units into Dometic and other fridges,
to help cool while driving. Of course, the Coleman unit is both a cooler and
a warmer.

For more info on the Peltier effect, go to:
http://www.howstuffworks.com/refrig4.htm

Keeping it cool,

 R    ���
 o
Antaki

 Strange that creatures without backbones have the hardest shells. -Kahlil
 Gibran (1883-1931) [Sand and Foam]

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM]On Behalf
> Of Michael Nichols
> Sent: Friday, February 02, 2001 5:09 AM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Coleman 12 volt/120 volt cooler for vanagon?
>
>
> Hello from Atlanta Ga.  I have seen Coleman Company's portable cooler at
> Target Stores for $62.00.  Last summer they  were priced at $89.00, plus
> $25.-- for the 120 volt adapter.  The unit appears to be a small
> heat pump,
> and they are about the size of a Westy fridge.....  Has anyone used one of
> these Coleman items?  Are they durable, well designed, and, most
> importantly, better than bags of ice and a regular cooler???  Thanks!
>
> Regards,
>
> Christina and Michael Nichols
> 2--'81 air cooleds
>