Igloo 12v cooler

[shaw520]

My friend brought an older (2000 ish') 12v Igloo cooler along this weekend and it worked fantastic!,.... except that with in a 4-5 hr period it completely ran down my #1 battery, (24 ft weekender with dual 850 marine batteries). ...and then when I unplugged it from the cigarette style plug, the metal part of the connector was very hot.
Do these coolers typically draw too much amperage for a dual battery setup? Do they make them now odays more efficient ?

 

[64osby]

I have an older one and they are power hogs. I have found the best use is in a running vehicle that can maintain a charge.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Yep they need to be used with a running vehicle... They can run down 3 batts in a semi in a day

 

[shaw520]

Thats what I thought,.... oh well, back to bags of ice for me,.... I go very remote for extended periods of time,.... and I dont want to have to worry about this unit draining my system and leaving me stranded.

 

[gm280]

Thats what I thought,.... oh well, back to bags of ice for me,.... I go very remote for extended periods of time,.... and I dont want to have to worry about this unit draining my system and leaving me stranded.

Yea, but you will be stranded with cold food and drinks... :facepalm: :sorry:

 

[southkogs]

I've got a couple of the 5 day coolers (No Power) - one Coleman and I forget what the other is. Nothing as fancy as the Yetis. I wouldn't say they work for 5 days, but for a day or three they do VERY well.

 

[Silvertip]

Anything electric used for cooling or heating will be a power hog. One need only look at the specifications in the manual or on the box if you consider buying one of these coolers, or any heating/cooling battery operated device.

 

[NYBo]

I have of about that vintage. Love it, but at about a 5 amp draw, I don't leave it plugged in for long with the vehicle not running. Since my outboard only puts out 7 amps maximum, I wouldn't think of using it in my boat.

 

[littlerayray]

I have an automatic ice maker and when the bin is full I just throw them in a zip lock bag it works great since I don't have to buy ice as often or go to the store when I run out

 

[Bonus Check]

I make large ice cubes and not with those expensive 4" trays you can buy for $20. I use plastic molds that are used to make concrete sample cylinders and beach sand buckets. The molds are 4" diam and 6-8" tall. The sand buckets were being given away at a trade show in Sandestin this summer. If you need smaller ice just whack it with a hammer. You do have to run a little water over them to get the ice to slip out of the mold. The ice will last for about 3 days in my Igloo Marine cooler.

Lilray, I reckon I could whack the ice a time or two with the hammer and then put them in a bag to store up

 

[JoLin]

I've got a couple of the 5 day coolers (No Power) - one Coleman and I forget what the other is. Nothing as fancy as the Yetis. I wouldn't say they work for 5 days, but for a day or three they do VERY well.

I also have the Coleman. I try to 'prime' it the day before a long weekend by putting some ice in the bottom of it and keeping it closed. I'm with Bob- won't last 5 days, but works very well for a weekend. They're cheap, too.

 

[H20Rat]

Newer ones aren't more efficient, the technology hasn't really changed since the 1960's. Still have a peltier cooler and a small fan/heatsink. They will always be power hogs!

 

[Bonus Check]

Just saw and Igloo 12v cooler in a resale shop for $10. Anyone think it's worth purchasing?

 

[NYBo]

Just saw and Igloo 12v cooler in a resale shop for $10. Anyone think it's worth purchasing?

Only if you have a use for it! The price is right, if it works.