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Subject:Re: anyone bought a Coleman thermoelectric cooler?
From:Randy Charrette
Date:Wed, 12 Jun 2002 23:28:41 +0000
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<P>I have a coleman 12V fridge set up in my van. The fridge itself draws 3amps. and cools to approx. 40degrees below ambient temp. I have a optima aux battery(yellow top)&nbsp;which will run this fridge for a little over 20hrs without charge. Confirmed this with Optima.</P>
<P>Randy Charrette</P>
<P>87 Syncro<BR><BR></P></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>&gt;From: John Brush <JBRUSH@AROS.NET>
<DIV></DIV>&gt;Reply-To: jbrush@AROS.NET
<DIV></DIV>&gt;To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
<DIV></DIV>&gt;Subject: Re: anyone bought a Coleman thermoelectric cooler?
<DIV></DIV>&gt;Date: Wed, 12 Jun 2002 15:09:02 -0600
<DIV></DIV>&gt;
<DIV></DIV>&gt; &gt;closed and only open it to get stuff out. I imagine it would make ice
<DIV></DIV>&gt; &gt;cubes if I ran it long enough, but I think that would drain the battery
<DIV></DIV>&gt; &gt;if I wasn't on the road all day...
<DIV></DIV>&gt;
<DIV></DIV>&gt; &gt;I'm thinking about doing the dual battery setup so that I can keep the
<DIV></DIV>&gt; &gt;fridge running when I'm camped, but that's more $$$ and would require me
<DIV></DIV>&gt; &gt;to get over my fears of frying the electrical system.
<DIV></DIV>&gt;
<DIV></DIV>&gt;I am guilty of having an opinion without owning one of these, but what the
<DIV></DIV>&gt;heck....
<DIV></DIV>&gt;
<DIV></DIV>&gt;When I checked on those types of coolers some time back, I recall being
<DIV></DIV>&gt;stunned at the power consumption. I do not recall the exact wattage
<DIV></DIV>&gt;rating, but it is not a battery operated device. I did, however, think it
<DIV></DIV>&gt;might be useful for just what you say; plug it in while driving and help
<DIV></DIV>&gt;the ice keep longer. Rather than use a deep cycle battery to run the
<DIV></DIV>&gt;thing, it might be better to try one of those xtreme coolers, or just
<DIV></DIV>&gt;spend the money on ice, rather than buying a power pig like these coolers
<DIV></DIV>&gt;are.
<DIV></DIV>&gt;
<DIV></DIV>&gt;There is no magic in how they work. They use a lot of power, just like a
<DIV></DIV>&gt;regular refrigerator, only they are exposed to a lot more heat. Check the
<DIV></DIV>&gt;box for the wattage or the amps and I think you will see what I mean.
<DIV></DIV>&gt;
<DIV></DIV>&gt;Just another opinion.....
<DIV></DIV>&gt;
<DIV></DIV>&gt;Regards,
<DIV></DIV>&gt;
<DIV></DIV>&gt;John
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