Portability is what electric cooler bins are all about.
THE FACTS ABOUT TO PORTABLE ELECTRIC COOLERS
Portable coolers are not “ice chests.” That’s why they’re particularly useful for the boating application. There’s no need for ice in the cooler, which can take up half the space otherwise available for cold storage.
They’re in effect portable refrigerators and that makes them good for boaties because you can go out for days or weeks without concern about replenishing ice for cooling — unless you need some for your rum and coke.
And even actual ice needs are covered by many models, which include a freezer compartment, just like your refrigerator at home. Ice cream afloat? Why not, so long as your battery power holds out?
Many portable refrigerator-coolers include a portable power supply which allows them to operate on the beach when your guests enjoy a shore lunch.
The coolers run on 12-volt power and most are plug-and-play connecting via a cigarette-lighter type plug as needed. Many also include an adapter so they can run on AC power if you have a generator or when you can connect to shore power.
Some also offer light-weight portable batteries as part of the package. These batteries power the cooler and have USB connections.
A 12V refrigerator usually uses 30 to 55 Amp/hours on average per day. A typical 1100Wh portable power station lets you run a 12V portable fridge for at least a day. However, a portable fridge will consume battery power when used at high ambient temperature or without precooling, so plan accordingly.
Most quality portable coolers include a cut-off device that senses when your boat or vehicle battery is getting low and shuts off the power to the refrigerator. You won’t be stuck with a dead battery and an engine that won’t start.
Add solar panels and your cooler may never run out of juice. (You’ll also want a dedicated battery to store the solar power when the sun is shining so it will keep your refrigerator running through the night or on rainy days.) A 100W or larger solar panel and a minimum 40Ah battery will do the job for most portable refrigerator/freezers suitable for marine use.
To determine how long the battery will power a cooler check the average energy consumption per hour (Ah/h). This is the amount of energy the cooler will use in one hour for the given internal and ambient temperature.
Divide your battery’s usable capacity (Ah) by the average energy consumption (Ah/h) to get the number of hours of run time.
CORROSION RESISTANCE
Some refrigerator-freezers are made primarily for camping ashore and may have painted carbon-steel housings that will rust or corrode in a marine environment. While these are OK for use aboard if you keep them in a cabin or compartment, they won’t fare well for long-term use on an open deck, particularly around saltwater.
Those with composite exteriors, on the other hand, are impervious to salt and denting and most are water resistant to allow safe washdown without affecting the interior cooling components.
ELECTRICAL STANDARDS
There are new Electrical Standards Regulations are for 12/24V as well as 12/24 240V fridge Freezers
While some of the major brand’s models meet these, but there are other brands available that do not – who knows what trouble these could cause down the track – and what Insurance implications are involved for anyone fitting a unit that does not meet the Electrical Standards
So we say, “ buyer beware”….
How Refrigerator-Freezers Compare to Ice Chests
Super-durable, high-end roto-moulded ice chests are on comparable price to some smaller portable refrigerators. The heavily-insulated ice chests can hold ice for up to a week.
However, they’re relatively heavy empty, at around 13.61 kg) for the 53-L models. By the time you add much ice at all, they will be heavier than a portable refrigerator-freezer of comparable size, and will have lost 1/3 or more of their available storage volume to the ice.
How to Buy a Portable That Suits You and Your Boat
Consider the following factors when choosing the right portable refrigerator-freezer for your boating:
Storage capacity: What are you going to put in the fridge, and how much space will it need?
Weight: If you have to carry the unit from your vehicle to your boat loaded with food, a pair of wheels will be much appreciated. If it will stay aboard, a larger, heavier unit will be less of an issue.
Power source: Most portable fridges come with adapters for AC and DC supply, but be you’re your batteries are up to the job of handling the added load or invest in a dedicated battery that will only supply the cooler.
Durability/warranty: Composite, water-resistant housings are best for portables that will be used on boats, particularly around saltwater. And check the warranty — some are only 12 months, others up to three years.
