If you already have a solar power system installed you need to find out how much power you can spare for a fridge. Most reasonably sized thermoelectric coolers will draw between 50 and 150 W per hour. One of the coolest features of thermoelectric coolers is how precise they can be. Depending on the model we’re talking about you can set your cooler’s temp down to a single degree and reliably keep it there. Electric coolers don’t need ice and won’t ever make your sandwich soggy again.
We have seen countless times when people purchased a thermoelectric cooler to store frozen goods only to realize that everything has melted after a short period of time. The same can be said on the upper end in regards to keeping items hot or warm. After four weeks of testing five best-selling models in the summer heat, we’ve concluded that electric coolers are not actually very good at keeping things cold. If you need to keep food at a safe temperature over multiple days, check out our review of the best coolers that use ice instead of ineffective thermoelectric devices. But if you only need to keep drinks or your lunch a bit cooler while you’re driving, the 29-quart Koolatron – P27 Voyager is the best thermoelectric cooler in a disappointing lineup. While there are a nice variety of sizes to choose from, typically electric coolers will cap out at a lower size than some traditional coolers.
However, a lot of this range will depend on the ambient temperature you are working with. Typically, you can expect maximum temperatures of 135 to 145 degrees Fahrenheit. It is important to remember, however, that there is no thermostat on these and you simply plug them in and they run.
This cooler features a quiet, brushless motor and convention cooling. If it works, plug the cooler into the socket on the guard and the guard into your vehicle before using the cooler to prevent damage to the cooler when you turn off your vehicle. As you have seen from our lineup of reviews on various thermoelectric coolers, there are quite a few variables at play. Beyond this, there are notable differences that make thermoelectric coolers stand out from conventional coolers and even normal refrigerators and freezers. Below are some key considerations you need to make while shopping.
It runs off both 110 V AC or 12 V DC and comes with plugs/adaptors for both options. This lets you hook it up to your solar system in several different ways. It’s capable of operating on both 110 V AC or 12 V DC, though it only comes with a DC cigarette style plug. Let’s get the elephant out of the room right away—this is a very small cooler.
If you sit on this box, then the plastic of the vents will touch its fan, and that will immediately make it malfunction. On the other hand, for a larger family or a group of igloo electric cooler friends, the 28-quart one would be a great option. We took it as a personal cooling device on long trips, and it ensured that we had a chilled drink at all points in time.