12V Refrigerators / Coolers

Anybodyhome

Anybodyhome

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Any recommendations for a 115VAC/12V cooler I can use for tailgating?
Went to a hockey game last week and the wife's soft cooler fell over and she had a bottle of bubbly in it without a temp cap. Guess what the Jeep smells like a couple days later?
Anyway, I'm done with the soft shell and ice coolers. I'd much rather get rid of the ice and just plug in a cooler in the back.
 
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I have an ICECO jp50, 53qt, 12v fridge. A buddy has been using one for years, me coming up on two years. Works great, low draw and inexpensive compared to other brands. This brand uses good compressors with a 5 year warranty. I feel like it is a good cost to value ratio and comes with the cover included.

Looks like the cost has gone up some since I purchased it.
 
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Jermbob28 said:
I have an ICECO jp50, 53qt, 12v fridge. A buddy has been using one for years, me coming up on two years. Works great, low draw and inexpensive compared to other brands. This brand uses good compressors with a 5 year warranty. I feel like it is a good cost to value ratio and comes with the cover included.

Looks like the cost has gone up some since I purchased it.
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Thanks, I'll take a look. I don't need 53qt capacity, but I'll sure look to see if they have a 30-36qt (gotta have room for a couple large dogs back there).
 
@Anybodyhome did you end up getting a cooler? If so, what type / brand and have you been happy with it. For my needs just looking for something for day trips and keep things cool, so nothing fancy.
 
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@Danarch: I looked at the ICECO JP30, which I really like as far as size and it's the capacity I can use. It's about $500 from everyone who carries it, including Amazon. Little too pricey for my needs. If I was going cross-country and spending more than 6 hours at a time on the road or wherever, I'd certainly buy it.
 
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The convenience and durability of the Iceco stuff should be considered. I’ve had mine three years now and use it regularly for camping trips. Beats the heck out of dealing with finding ice, cold water melt and wet food.

Heck, it got set up in the kitchen when our power went out with the solar battery and panels from the camper van to keep us in fresh food.
 
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Danarch said:
Thank you, actually looking at one on Amazon. Seemed like a decent model.
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I happened to be in Canadian Tire last week . Noticed they had an Igloo brand 12 volt fridge for vehicles/camping etc for about $260 CDN . Obviously no Canadian Tire down there but I would imagine Igloo is down there or on Amazon . Think it was about 30 litres .
Have an Icego saved on my Amazon list .

How do guys secure your fridges in the back ?
 
They do. The ones I found say they cool to 36 degrees below ambient temperature. I’ve been looking at Bodega coolers, they seem decent. But don’t really know anything about them. So many out there to choose from. Not really up to spending over a few hundred for one.
 
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Danarch said:
They do. The ones I found say they cool to 36 degrees below ambient temperature. I’ve been looking at Bodega coolers, they seem decent. But don’t really know anything about them. So many out there to choose from. Not really up to spending over a few hundred for one.
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Yup that’s the one . Advertising 36 degrees below ambient temp. I think will pick one up soon . Seems to be very reasonable priced & Igloo has been around forever making quality coolers . Since it will be in store purchase won’t have a problem returning if not that great .
Yeah I know what you mean about the price . $1K or higher for a couple brands out there .
Just want to keep bottled water, meats or perishables cool for a 1-3 days . Not trying to cool down the entire camp for a week . Lol
 
Speartip said:
I happened to be in Canadian Tire last week . Noticed they had an Igloo brand 12 volt fridge for vehicles/camping etc for about $260 CDN . Obviously no Canadian Tire down there but I would imagine Igloo is down there or on Amazon . Think it was about 30 litres .
Have an Icego saved on my Amazon list .

How do guys secure your fridges in the back ?
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I had added plywood with padding and carpet to soften the floor. Used some coachman’s loops screwed into that with a cargo strap when moving the van.

Re: the 12v coolers. I’ve got a Coleman one in the basement you can have. They don’t work well in warm temps. The good versions like Iceco have an actual compressor system.
 
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Snowbird Tom said:
I had added plywood with padding and carpet to soften the floor. Used some coachman’s loops screwed into that with a cargo strap when moving the van.

Re: the 12v coolers. I’ve got a Coleman one in the basement you can have. They don’t work well in warm temps. The good versions like Iceco have an actual compressor system.
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I was thinking of some metal loops as well. Probably screw it directly into floor in the back so will still have access to rear storage .
Just will have to move cooler whenever want access to the floor storage . Planning on storing all my recovery gear in there once I’m winched
Yeah I noticed that .Doing some reading the igloo is quite a simple design compared to more expensive units . Plug & Play with no temp settings . So an electric cooler as opposed to a fridge .
Gonna try one and see how well it works . Will let you guys know how well it works . Many positive reviews on Amazon .
Very generous to offer me your Coleman . I’m up in Canada so shpg wouldn’t be cheap . Maybe offer to someone closer to home . Very much appreciate the thought :)
 
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Speartip said:
I was thinking of some metal loops as well. Probably screw it directly into floor in the back so will still have access to rear storage .
Just will have to move cooler whenever want access to the floor storage . Planning on storing all my recovery gear in there once I’m winched
Yeah I noticed that .Doing some reading the igloo is quite a simple design compared to more expensive units . Plug & Play with no temp settings . So an electric cooler as opposed to a fridge .
Gonna try one and see how well it works . Will let you guys know how well it works . Many positive reviews on Amazon .
Very generous to offer me your Coleman . I’m up in Canada so shpg wouldn’t be cheap . Maybe offer to someone closer to home . Very much appreciate the thought :)
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Ok, if anyone SE Michigan local wants it, LMK! 12v cigarette lighter plug and 110v power unit included. I’m cleaning house and other free stuff will be posted up as it’s touched.
 
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OP, are you planning to get a secondary power source or just run it from the main battery while tailgating? I bought a small jackery box to use my laptop in remote locations and I love it. The mid-range models have a 12V cigarette jack so you can run a mini-fridge. It will add to the cost of the project, but it would save you frustration when you discover a dead battery. (I'm speculating - I have no idea what the draw is for a portable fridge.)
 
Was just thinking of running off the battery. Most of them seem to come with a cut-off if it senses the battery voltage dropping. I have wondered if I am stopped for two hours or so will it stay cold, or the device doesn’t work and drain the battery. That said I usually have a portable power pack to jumpstart the jeep if needed. I’ll have to check on a “jackery box”.
 
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