Technical Issues with Electric Coolers: Seeking Solutions

[tom baker]

Thermoelectric coolers have a really huge problem: You want wide short conductors for good electrical conductivity in the junctions, but you want long skinny conductors for good thermal insulation. The system ends up optimized to operate continuously at a single heat pumping rate at a single temperature differential, and is a huge thermal bridge when it isn't pumping.

Multi-stage TECs are possible, and might be more optimal for high temperature differentials, but even less efficient for most uses.

IMHO if you want to optimize for better efficiency and temperature differential capacity, you want to use a cooler with a DC powered compressor based cooling system.

-Jon

Those are very common in marine and some RVs. My class B van has a novakool compressor fridge/freezer works great but needs ample dc power, my 200 ah agm is good for 1-2 days, I have 300 watts solar which helps.

 

[Joethemechanic]

 

[PaulMmn]

Yep, I even keep my food, soft drinks, and beer in the same cooler as the fish I'm catching.

Fish makes the ice in the mixed drinks taste funny...

 

[PaulMmn]

A multi-stage thermoelectric cooler? Who are we, NASA? I shudder to contemplate the overall efficiency.

search for Adam Savage (Mythbusters) building a NASA-type mini-refrigeration unit for under his costumes. It's mechanical, but teensy-weensy!

 

[Frank DuVal]

Serval ad makes no sense. How can I have moist cold and dry cold in the same area?

I found the Peltier junctions coolers really need LARGE heat sinks and fans to get rid of the heat removed, or they just start heating the cold side. After all, they do consume electricity...

 

[winnie]

I guess because I did a couple of searches on this topic, I got served an ad for a 12V vapor cycle refrigerator (or freezer) in a portable cooler form factor.

The specs look pretty good, and the price is inline with what I would expect (high, but not crazy compared to something like a ruggedized dorm fridge).

As a compressor based system I'd expect better efficiency than a thermoelectric system.

I have no idea about the actual quality.

BougeRV 12V 23 Quart Portable Fridge For Travel

Looking for a reliable and efficient portable travel freezer? Look no further than BougeRV's 12V 23-qt portable fridge. With its compact size and user-friendly control panel, this travel freezer is an essential accessory for your next trip.

www.bougerv.com

Jon

 

[retirede]

I guess because I did a couple of searches on this topic, I got served an ad for a 12V vapor cycle refrigerator (or freezer) in a portable cooler form factor.

The specs look pretty good, and the price is inline with what I would expect (high, but not crazy compared to something like a ruggedized dorm fridge).

As a compressor based system I'd expect better efficiency than a thermoelectric system.

I have no idea about the actual quality.

BougeRV 12V 23 Quart Portable Fridge For Travel

Looking for a reliable and efficient portable travel freezer? Look no further than BougeRV's 12V 23-qt portable fridge. With its compact size and user-friendly control panel, this travel freezer is an essential accessory for your next trip.

www.bougerv.com

Jon

I think Bouge has a good reputation in the camping community.

 

[Colliewood]

Thanks all of you for your suggestions and comments. It was an amazing trip.