Frig/Cooler, what to get?

[madii'swife]

Ok, I need some input from others as to what type of frig/cooler they use and/or recommend. My husband is allowed an inverter but does not have one yet, so we are looking for a solution without one, and some info for future best options.
I've looked some on ebay and in stores and tend to just end up confused on what is best, and what he actually needs.

[MMCANewbie]

I bought the Coleman Powerchill 12 volt cooler at wall mart for about 70.00. They can also be found at truck stops but usually for 99.00. It plugs directly into the cigarette lighter so you wont need an invertor. Seems this is the best one for your money plus it can hold a lot.

[Roadhog]

This time of the year... I just store fridge stuff in the tool box.

He can buy 12v cooler with his road miles off his fuel card...right at the Truck Stop.
Or...WalMart has some good ones.
They also have these nice mirror's just in....they're French I think. :?

[meanbone79]

That's one cool pic!!!..roadhog :shock:

Ok, I need some input from others as to what type of frig/cooler they use and/or recommend. My husband is allowed an inverter but does not have one yet, so we are looking for a solution without one, and some info for future best options.
I've looked some on ebay and in stores and tend to just end up confused on what is best, and what he actually needs.

I was too looking for options for fridges and I think I found one. I havn't tested it as of yet but I will be soon.

I looked at 1.8CF fridges that are AC. The problem with them are that the valves in the compresser rattle like crazy and would drive a guy completly NUTS!

I looked at 4CF fridges that are AC. They rattle far less. (you really have to jerk them around to make them rattle) A guy I drive with has one of these in his truck already and says he has no rattle problems with it.

I found the fridge at appliance smart for $129.00.

Messures 20 3/4 x 20 3/4 x 32 inches high. I'll be removing the cabinet behind the drivers seat to put it in.

Nendail

[NevadaJim]

This may be a dumb question, but how many cig lighter plugs, or 12 volt connections are in a truck? How many 12 volt devices can you guys run at the same time?

[Rawlco]

This may be a dumb question, but how many cig lighter plugs, or 12 volt connections are in a truck? How many 12 volt devices can you guys run at the same time?

Peterbilt 387 bubble truck as equipped by TMC has exactly THREE power outlets. One on the dash, one in the sleeper, and one in a closet. You can get splitters and extension cords for 12VDC at truckstops, so adding a ten foot cord with three outlets on the end cost me $10.99 This way I don't have to shuffle computer power cord and cell phone charger.

Peterbilt 379 as equipped by TMC contains 3 outlets on the dash and 3 or 4 in the sleeper, plenty for all your gadgets.

[Karnajj]

I was too looking for options for fridges and I think I found one. I havn't tested it as of yet but I will be soon.

I looked at 1.8CF fridges that are AC. The problem with them are that the valves in the compresser rattle like crazy and would drive a guy completly NUTS!

I looked at 4CF fridges that are AC. They rattle far less. (you really have to jerk them around to make them rattle) A guy I drive with has one of these in his truck already and says he has no rattle problems with it.

I found the fridge at appliance smart for $129.00.

Messures 20 3/4 x 20 3/4 x 32 inches high. I'll be removing the cabinet behind the drivers seat to put it in.

Nendail[/quote] You better have a pretty powerful inverter, plug-in inverters wouldn't be able to handle that kind of draw. There's the rub. Since most companies will not let you hard wire in a fridge or install an inverter large enough to work your left with the plug-in coolers as your only option.

[madii'swife]

This may be a dumb question, but how many cig lighter plugs, or 12 volt connections are in a truck? How many 12 volt devices can you guys run at the same time?

I think this varies some, but my husband's truck has 3, 2 in the dash, one in the sleeper area. We're looking at getting the extension cords.

[Mtc_Is_Hell]

Just get a powerchill cooler from walmart 30 dollars cheaper then truck stops.. I have to take my water bottles out in the mourning to defrost them.. Soda's get brisk cold, Amazing what 70 dollars and a cigarette lighter can achieve. Can be found with the camping stuff.. No point in getting the fridge and convertor unless you plan to buy a microwave.

[Mtc_Is_Hell]

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...uct_id=4810828

I was too looking for options for fridges and I think I found one. I havn't tested it as of yet but I will be soon.

I looked at 1.8CF fridges that are AC. The problem with them are that the valves in the compresser rattle like crazy and would drive a guy completly NUTS!

I looked at 4CF fridges that are AC. They rattle far less. (you really have to jerk them around to make them rattle) A guy I drive with has one of these in his truck already and says he has no rattle problems with it.

I found the fridge at appliance smart for $129.00.

Messures 20 3/4 x 20 3/4 x 32 inches high. I'll be removing the cabinet behind the drivers seat to put it in.

Nendail

You better have a pretty powerful inverter, plug-in inverters wouldn't be able to handle that kind of draw. There's the rub. Since most companies will not let you hard wire in a fridge or install an inverter large enough to work your left with the plug-in coolers as your only option.[/quote]

LOL ummm A laptop probably takes as much as a 4cf fridge when it's being charged. I say probably because I'm not really sure what a laptop takes EXACTLY. but the 4 CF fridge is only 130 watts.. Thats nothing.

Oh and FYI I run a 2000 watt inverter in my truck. Have my home computer bilt in, have a microwave toster crock pot and all my chargers for my cameras and such.

Nendail

Just get a powerchill cooler from walmart 30 dollars cheaper then truck stops.. I have to take my water bottles out in the mourning to defrost them.. Soda's get brisk cold, Amazing what 70 dollars and a cigarette lighter can achieve. Can be found with the camping stuff.. No point in getting the fridge and convertor unless you plan to buy a microwave.

This is indeed a great solution to get by on. Especially for a guy whos home every weekend, or a couple times a week. I like to be out two and three weeks at a time, this solution was not cutting it for me. YOu can't control the temp enough to keep veggies from going bad, or be sure that mayo stays good.

Most 12 vold "Coolers" keep things 30-40 degree's below the outside temp. IE 40 degrees colder then the temp in your truck.

This is pretty perfect if you keep your truck around 70 degrees for the most part, however I just wasn't comfortable with it as a primary solution. (did a few years in food service in my early 20s and have a serious problem with bacteria possabilites)

When you go home or shut the truck off for a while, theres a chance that crap will freeze in your cooler, or unplug it and maybe it will go bad..

My generator keeps my batts from dieing when I'm off so I'm not unloading everything from my fridge every time I come home.. It's nice not to have to empty the fridge of EVERYTHING just to be home two days.

I guess I'm spoiled maybe