burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

I have a little cooler designed to keep a six-pack of 12-ounce cans cool. It runs on 120 VAC or 12VDC. I wired a fused, 12V accessory outlet to the 12V battery in my Prius to run it.

Unfortunately, the mini-fridge requires about 60 watts to run continuously, as it does in a hot car. That's fine when the engine is running, but my Prius has a very small, AGM type 12-volt battery that is only used for accessories (computers, radio, lights). AGM batteries are very light weight, compared to standard lead-acid car batteries, and twice as expensive. But they don't produce much power, and they do not "like" to be discharged very deeply! Just a couple of deep discharges killed my first one. When they die, the car is immobile, and CANNOT be jump started. You have to buy a new $220 battery, crawl over the back seat and release a secret lever to unlock the hatch back, and then change the battery, which is in the right rear wheel well. It's not nearly as bad as it sounds, but still annoying. You need some time and metric wrenches. Videos showing the process are on YouTube.

I learned my lesson... Don't leave anything (not even interior lights) running for more than a few minutes when a Prius is off, and don't let the keyless entry system stay active for more than a week without driving the car to charge both the HV and 12V batteries.

If you have a big gas hog that requires a massive 12V battery to start it, you can probably run a small 'fridge like mine for a few hours.

AndyH Loc: Massachusetts and New Hampshire

Pretty much my view, since film days. I drag my bag into the office with me during the day, and back out if I am going into the field. I try to never leave hear inmy truck for more than an hour in either extreme heat or cold.

Mr Bill 2011 Loc: southern Indiana

I've considered getting one of these and putting it behind the passenger seat for easy access to a second camera (not my "good" one, since it could be attractive to thieves) . It would only require the addition of 12V outlet that would stay on with the ignition off, but that is not too difficult. My commute is long enough so that the constant battery drain would not be an issue. My main issue has been that none of the ones I've seen have thermostatic control. The temperature inside is just some amount below ambient (usually around 35 degrees). This is probably enough cooling to protect a camera, but overnight (or on a cool day), I'd have to remember to turn it off. If I found one the right size, and with a thermostat, I might try it. I'd be interested in knowing if anyone else has experimented with one of these.[/quote]



I've had one of those Koolatron 12v coolers for about 40 years; it does have a thermostatic control, but it will only drop the temp. about 30 degrees, and it has to run full blast to do that. Might be OK for keeping your camera cool, but it will discharge your battery overnight. While dropping the temp from 100 degrees in the car to 70 degrees in the cooler might be OK to keep your camera cool, it does nothing for beer, soda, or food. Basically not worth the money and not worth the hassle of plugging it in.