Eric,

I'd be curious to know where you've found compact fridges that draw an
average of 1 amp.  I checked a few small ones at Sears & Lowe's, and their
annual consumptions are around 300 kWH.  This works out to an average of
34W, or roughly 3 amps at 12V (neglecting losses from the 12V to 120V
inverter).  This is probably optimistic since the annual consumptions are
most likely calculated based on a controlled indoor environment without any
extreme temps, not a Vanagon baking under the summer sun.

Also, looking at the specs for the ARB Freezer/Fridge, they claim that the
42qt model only draws an intermittent 3.5A from a 12V source to maintain
below freezing temps in 100F heat.  They later claim average power
consumption to be from 0.7 to 2.4 Amp-hrs (I'm guessing they mean Amps not
Amp-hrs, and I'm assuming at 12V, but this isn't clear).

Thanks,
Andrew

On Mon, 8 Sep 2003 07:05:46 -0400, Eric Zeno <vw4x4@FYI.NET> wrote:

>AFter looking at this cooler, you would be better off to buy a small
>appartment size fridge, and a 120v to 12v converter.  You can find
>one that will run with less than 1 amp, (witch is what this one runs on),
>and will cost a lot less.
>                                                        Eric
>
>Ty Graham wrote:
>
>>I've got to put in a word for the ARB Freezer/Fridge.
>>http://www.4wheelsupply.com/arb/portable-freezer-fridge.htm
>>
>>I got mine 3 years ago and we love it.  It's efficient, quiet and will
>>make or keep ice in the warmest weather.  We pre chill on 110 the night
>>before we leave, then just schlep out to whatever van we're in for the
>>weekend.  I've never tested draw, but we've gone for three nights in
>>some warm places on a single optima yellow top.  It's so liberating to
>>have really cold drinks rather than the lukewarm dometic "chilled."  We
>>check the cooler all the time but mainly to make sure our carrots at the
>>bottom don't get frozen when we set the thermostat to 3.
>>
>>If I had to get one again, I'd get the 42 qt rather than the 33 just so
>>I could be more sloppy in packing.  The only thing I use my Dometic for
>>now is to store unchilled beverages before transfer to the ARB.  I put a
>>couple of pics on my site.
>>http://www.chow-graham.com/Ty/html/Ourcars.htm
>>
>>Ty
>>
>>
>>-----Original Message-----
>>From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf
>>Of George Thorburn
>>Sent: Sunday, September 07, 2003 8:49 AM
>>To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>>Subject: Anyone know of a good cooler for a Vanagon...
>>
>>Jesse,
>>We have a plug in cooler (Coleman) and like it to supplement the fridge
>>in our van. We bought the 120 volt adapter and use the adapter before we
>>leave to pre cool the items we want to bring, we also use the adapter
>>when ever possible when we are camping or parked at friends or
>>relatives. We use the 12 volt option when we are driving but I do not
>>leave the 12 volt hooked up when we stop unless it is only for a few
>>minutes. I would be concerned about running the battery down. (if you
>>have 2 batteries this would not be as big of a concern) If we are
>>camping at sites with no 120 volt power then we bring a ice box type
>>cooler for drinks etc.
>>
>>Hope this helps,
>>
>>George
>>
>>'85 Westfalia
>>
>>
>>
>>>>Anyone have a suggestion for a cooler for a Vanagon? My wife and I
>>>>
>>>>
>>want
>>
>>
>>>>a cooler for the Vanagon for food and stuff...anyone have any
>>>>suggestions of good coolers to buy? What about the the ones that you
>>>>plug in...any info on these and how they work?
>>>>
>>>>
>>
>>
>>
>>