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gordorad
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« on: September 21, 2011, 06:50:14 PM » |
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After pulling a trailer, and not wanting the drop in MPG, I'm thinking of going with a cargo carrier and getting a 12V Cooler......The Alternator should handle this fine I'm thinking. Has anyone tried it?? Would be great to always have some cold stuff anytime!!
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dwreefs
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« Reply #1 on: September 21, 2011, 06:59:31 PM » |
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make sure you get the 110 volt adapter as they don't stay cold long if they are not running but otherwise should help .
They cool a certain number of degrees below ambient I think it is about 30 degrees so as long as it is not 120 out side on the pavement you would have cold ones
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YoungPUP
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« Reply #2 on: September 21, 2011, 07:11:29 PM » |
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Used one while driving over the road. The Cheap ones ( I use that term loosely) do better at keeping things cold, than cooling things off. So if you're looking at using it as an Iceless cooler of sorts, then it should work.
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Yea though I ride through the valley of the Shadow of Death I shall fear no evil. For I ride the Baddest Mother F$#^er In that valley!
99 STD (Under construction)
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fordmano
Member
Posts: 1457
San Jose, CA. 1999 I/S 232 miles when bought 11/05
San Jose, CA.
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« Reply #3 on: September 21, 2011, 09:00:46 PM » |
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I got one of the bigger ones used it 3 times and yes it works but it will NOT take a warm beer and make it cold in 3 days unless you have other cold stuff in tehre,,, like ICE.
I know its a long drive but if you show up on my door step I will gladly hand it over too you. I may not have the 12volt cord anymore or even the 110volt cord? But they are just ordinary cords no power supply.
It will keep things cool if they started out cold, the instructions said do NOT put ice in them but after day 1 of our month long trip and 2 very young kids we had to add a bag of ice every 2 days or so to keep things coold enough to make my wife happy about food not spoiling.
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  83GS550 93XR650L TARD! 97WR250 99ValkyrieI/S Tri-tone 01YZ125(x2) 05DRZ-125 |
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MarkT
Member
Posts: 5196
VRCC #437 "Form follows Function"
Colorado Front Range - elevation 2.005 km
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« Reply #4 on: September 22, 2011, 01:02:03 AM » |
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If I had this issue I would probably bring an apartment-size 110v refrig and an inverter and a long extension cord - expect to plug it in to 110 whenever the bike is going to be off for more than a gas stop, and run the inverter when the bike is underway. I have a 110 apartment Frigidaire and it keeps drinks ice cold, even keeps stuff frozen in the little freezer. Pretty sure the power draw isn't real high, about like a light bulb but even that would drain a battery/inverter setup pretty quick if it wasn't running.
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old2soon
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« Reply #5 on: September 22, 2011, 07:01:33 AM » |
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Had one on the truck when i was over the road. Sold it to another driver less than a week after i bought it.  Went back to good old fashioned ICE.  Wish i had better news fer ya.  And yes-i am aware that buying something that reverts to water is not cost effective.  RIDE SAFE. |
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Today is the tommorow you worried about yesterday. If at first you don't succeed screw it-save it for nite check. 1964 1968 U S Navy. Two cruises off Nam.
VRCCDS0240 2012 GL1800 Gold Wing Motor Trike conversion
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Ricky-D
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« Reply #6 on: September 22, 2011, 08:18:16 AM » |
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Inverters are about the least efficient electronic device you can buy, next to a toaster.
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2000_Valkyrie_Interstate
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hubcapsc
Member
Posts: 16789
upstate
South Carolina
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« Reply #7 on: September 22, 2011, 10:53:03 AM » |
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Inverters are about the least efficient electronic device you can buy, next to a toaster.
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Valkyries get crappy gas mileage... -Mike |
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gordorad
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« Reply #8 on: September 22, 2011, 01:21:39 PM » |
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Such glowing reviews!!  Perhaps I may rethink this idea!! Thanks guys.. |
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fordmano
Member
Posts: 1457
San Jose, CA. 1999 I/S 232 miles when bought 11/05
San Jose, CA.
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« Reply #9 on: September 22, 2011, 03:59:14 PM » |
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That's what we are here for killing ideas and crushing dreams!!! LOL!  Well if it is any Help my experience was about 10 years ago and maybe cooler technology has gotten better? Also my offer stands if you want to try one mine is free for local pickup. |
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83GS550 93XR650L TARD! 97WR250 99ValkyrieI/S Tri-tone 01YZ125(x2) 05DRZ-125
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YoungPUP
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« Reply #10 on: September 22, 2011, 05:47:30 PM » |
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Try dry ice. Local weld supply shop should know where to find it
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Yea though I ride through the valley of the Shadow of Death I shall fear no evil. For I ride the Baddest Mother F$#^er In that valley!
99 STD (Under construction)
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roadhamr
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« Reply #11 on: September 23, 2011, 10:57:10 AM » |
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i use a 12v cooler and yes it will keep things cool when plugged in but has a hard time cooling things unless you have some signifigant time. a small ziplock bag filled with dry ice pellets that you can get from a welding supply store usually for nothing will really boost your coolers performance. it will last 4 to 5 days with the cooler running and that will give you cold beer in the middle of summer.  |
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i only do what the voices in my head tell me to do!
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Earl in Pensacola
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« Reply #12 on: September 23, 2011, 03:21:59 PM » |
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I just "have to add my two cents". Why do you need a cooler?? You're gon'a be stopping every couple of hours for gas! When I used an ice-type cooler (on the tongue of my cyclemate), all it really did besides keep cold sodas was it beat the cans around so much, it wore off the ID of the drink almost to the point that you had to guess what was in it(!!) plus the extra weight. I don't even use the cooler now-a-days. Actually the last time I put 3 sealed two gal. cans of fuel for "just in case". I wedged some other stuff around them to insure no bouncing around. Only came close to suing one of them once. So, really, there is no need for a cooler, well except maybe IN the trailer, if you're the camp-out type. Just my two cents!
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Brad
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« Reply #13 on: September 23, 2011, 04:13:34 PM » |
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I owned a 12V cooler for about 2 months and then sold it to a friend. As stated they only cool to about 30 degrees below ambient temperature and that usually is not cold enough to be enjoyable. Also I tried to use it in my truck and the buzzing noise of the motor drove me nuts. If you get a real 12v fridge (the compressor type) they cost a bundle. http://www.buyengelcoolers.com/engel-md14f-15-quart-ems-12-volt-dc-fridge-freezer.html |
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Moonshot_1
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« Reply #14 on: September 23, 2011, 09:19:20 PM » |
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I'll echo what has been said here as well.
Had one years ago. Disappointed in them.
There is a very small window of opportunity where these things could be considered practical. Camping is one. Perhaps if you are always in an area where you can't readily get refreshments and need to store them with you.
It was far easier for us to stop at a convenience store and get something cold than to pack such a cooler that under performed and took up space.
A styrofoam cooler with ice would be much more practical and would actually get items cold than just cool them down a bit. And with not much more effort either.
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Mike Luken
Cherokee, Ia.
Former Iowa Patriot Guard Ride Captain
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lucky_1_chris
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« Reply #15 on: September 23, 2011, 11:52:41 PM » |
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I use one. I can put a 6 pack inside it directly on the plate and they'll be cold enough to drink in a couple hours. They're really better at keeping cold things cold. Mine is pretty small, and I'd bet that the bigger they are the worse they are... Mine stays on the seat of my truck, and even as hot as this summer was it kept my lunch and waters as cold or colder than when I put them in even after sitting for sometimes hours with the engine off and the windows up. I will say, though, that I wouldn't trust it for extended periods of continuous use. The dry ice option sounds better to me for this purpose.
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1999 Valkyrie Interstate
2016 Victory Cross Country Tour
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BamaDrifter64
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« Reply #16 on: September 24, 2011, 05:09:23 AM » |
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I have one that we only use when camping. They work good to keep drinks cold and that's all we use it for. It will get drinks pretty cold overnite, but they start warming up during the day as the temp climbs. Plus the more you open the door, the less cool the drinks become. However, for a weekend, much better than having to keep ice in a cooler to me.
Dave
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Mr.BubblesVRCCDS0008
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« Reply #17 on: September 24, 2011, 05:15:41 AM » |
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I have one ( Coleman) that it does what it says it'll do. Good for about 30 degree drop in temp. If your stuff is cold to begin with and the cooler is in the cab of the truck or car where the temp outside the cooler is controlled to say 70 degrees by air conditioning then they work great. My doesn't make any noise at all when running. WE use it to bring trout home from vacation and we freeze it and put in the cooler and it stays frozen solid during the 600 mile trip. If well stop for the night we take into the motel room plug it into the adapter and stuff still stays frozen.
Now if you throw the thing in the back of the truck in the direct sunlight then it probably won't work as well as you need in to work.
My also heats by turning the plug over, just a word of warning if you hook it up on heat it will thaw out your frozen food in 12 hrs too. Don't ask we how I know this.
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