Coleman Powerchill

[NOMADIC_LJ]

Coleman Powerchill Thermoelectric Iceless Cooler

Anybody ever use or have one of these? its a 40qt 12v cooler that can be upright or as a chest.

Now I know this isn't an ARB or Engel. I was just looking for something small that can keep milk from going bad and a few drinks cold while camping or medium range trips.

If I was going around the world I would get one of the models listed above but what about for the weekend warrior? Would this coleman work or is it junk??

It says that it can keep items cold to 40°F below surrounding temperature and its made in the USA. Anyway, just looking for a heads up, any comments appreciated.

 

[RHINO]

these have been talked about ALOT,,, since your asking i'll assume you didnt bother with a search, and i'll assume you dont care about reading anything about them, so the answer is no.

 

[NOMADIC_LJ]

these have been talked about ALOT,,, since your asking i'll assume you didnt bother with a search, and i'll assume you dont care about reading anything about them, so the answer is no.

I did a search before posting, always do..

This is what I got from the search - 1

I guess you assumed wrong! and thanks the ******* reply

 

[RHINO]

not being a smart@$$, ok well a little, but sometimes i dont want to read a bunch of stuff and just want a simple answer. but if ya want to read,, hear are just a few from a very simple search i just did,, if ya want more lemme know.

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1874&highlight=thermoelectric+coolers

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1012&highlight=thermoelectric+coolers

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=29058&highlight=thermoelectric+coolers

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=15661&highlight=thermoelectric+coolers

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5077&highlight=thermoelectric+coolers

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=3686&highlight=thermoelectric+coolers

 

[njtaco]

Only recently have these been called a powerchill, so not much will come of a search. Try "peltier effect" or "12v cooler" for more results.

In short, these are not well received by the community here because they use about 4 amps DC constantly, which will drain your auxiliary power (battery) almost overnight. Don't dare use it with your cranking battery! Because we (ExPo) set a standard of 2-3 days camping with no running of trucks as a loose guideline, an Engle or ARB is a much better choice.

I had one for years, used it a half dozen times, and sold it for $20 last summer.

I don't recommend one unless you are staying in a campground with 120V to keep it going.

 

[Corey]

Yep, have had two like that in the past.
Battery hogs.

I can run my ARB fridge close to five days and still start up the rig on the main battery.

 

[NOMADIC_LJ]

they use about 4 amps DC constantly, which will drain your auxiliary power (battery) almost overnight.

I knew there had to be a catch to these. Thank you very much for that info njtaco!

Thanks for the links RHINO! I guess I should not have been so specific when I did the search. I agree with you, posting before searching sucks.

 

[RHINO]

well dude, like i said i was only a little smart*** sometimes i really appreciate a simple answer and i figured maybe thats all you wanted.

 

[bmonday]

well dude, like i said i was only a little smart*** sometimes i really appreciate a simple answer and i figured maybe thats all you wanted.

With all due respect, Rhino, you were so smartass in your initial response that I was offended, and I'm just wandering by. It's not like he called you on the phone and demanded an answer FROM YOU. You volunteered to answer his question, did so in a spectacularly unhelpful way (which one of his questions was your "no" supposed to address?), and were rude to him in the process.

I wouldn't have known to search for "thermoelectric coolers" when looking for advice on a specific Coleman unit, and I practically live here. That doesn't make me a moron too, I hope.

Hope your day improves. Sounds like you're having a crappy one.

Best regards
BMonday

 

[DaveM]

I had one of the older version of this cooler. My main concern apart from power consumption was the long time it took to reach full chill (not very cold BTW), 4-6 hours I think? And you couldn't use it wet which means no loose ice to start it out or water to help carry and maintain the cold.

Not worth much IMO. The 5 day coolers out there do a better job and are more versatile.

Rhino, you were totally being a smart @$$

 

[RHINO]

offended? wow,,, i'm havin a great day,, and i apologize for hurting your feelings about the comments i made to a fellow expo'er of whom your having feelings about his feelings,,, err what the heck did that mean ??

hey it'll all be sorted if you ever get the chance to bask in my awesomeness in person :sombrero:,,, i come off in all kinds of ways in writing but i'm a peppy and very sarcastic guy,, my humer is a little rude and mean but i'm harmless.

 

[kclark421]

Corey,

I"m curious what type of main battery you are running. i have a 07 SE 4runner and my stock main battery can handle the ARB for not more than 4 hours, my ARB is the new one that just came out. I have the temp set at 32 degrees. Think about a dual battery or replaing my main with a odyssy 1700

Yep, have had two like that in the past.
Battery hogs.

I can run my ARB fridge close to five days and still start up the rig on the main battery.

 

[Corey]

Hi Ken, I have the stock Toyota/Panasonic battery from July of 2006.
I just run it when camping, and the Optima Redtop is a backup one.
However I will never buy an Optima again, as the rumors I read online are true.

Installed it a few years ago, and it is not putting out more than 10v right now, and it is on the charger circuit full time.

I have heard the Odyssy batteries are good, and I will look into replacing the backup one with one, and maybe the Panasonic when it goes out.

Four hours does not seem right.
I am not sure what the new fridges are pulling, but my old school ARB fridge pulls around 1.7 amps I think at maximum.

I also reply now on solar for keeping the battery charged when out, installed it last year.
http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=28712

In action...

Besides the fridge, I am using the stock light at night in the roof top tent.

something does not sound right though if the battery cannot go longer than four hours with the fridge.
I have mine set to around 34 to 35 degrees.

 

[RHINO]

clark what ya runnin for wiring? a thinner guage will act like your describing. so will a less than adequate ground. i run 10g, arent you runnin 10g also corey?

 

[kclark421]

clark what ya runnin for wiring? a thinner guage will act like your describing. so will a less than adequate ground. i run 10g, arent you runnin 10g also corey?

Clay,

I think you found my problem, thanks for the help

I'm using the stock factory 12 vlt power outlet / wiring at the back of my 4runner.

Looks like the solution is to run 10 ga from a 12 vlt outlet to a fuse block then to my main battery. I'll try this before investing in a battery back up system.

Corey,

Thank you as well for the info on your stock battery, I did not think my battery should go dead so quickly, you just confirmed this for me.

I apoligize for being off topic and did not mean to Hi-Jack the thread.