Coolers: Should I use 12 volt or 120 volt

[Mike Bee]

We have a Coolatron that while driving down the road is plugged into the 12 volt plug powered by the house battery.
Due to van layout and accesorries , we use the 12 volt plug powered by the van's battery to power other acessories.
(Roadtrek 170 P with one house battery)

When we are using shore power should:
- we leave the cooler plugged into 12 volt outlet powered by the house battery.
- Or should be use the adapter and plug the cooler into the 120 volt plug.

My thoughts were to plug into the 120 volt and leave the on board charging system to top up the house battery and power the 12 volt lights.
It would be more effient with less load on it.

Any Thoughts?

[SeabeckStan]

My only concern with the 12-volt option is putting an additional load on the converter and potentially reducing the amount of juice going to the house battery. So I would have the cooler plugged into 120 volt circuit.

Not what you asked, but I would also consider upgrading the alternator to one with a higher output. This would get you a faster recharge rate on the house battery while driving down the road.

[Hatteras Jim]

Personally, I'd run it off the 120 whenever possible. I have an ARB fridge that is wired to 12 and 120 and the fridge switches automatically to 120 whenever I am plugged in. Since it is designed that way, I would assume that should be the better option for you, even though you have to manually switch it. You could build a auto switch if it is a pain to do the manual thing.

[mumkin]

I would switch to 110... use their power instead of your battery. Let it be fully charged.

[Mike Bee]

Hadn't considered putting in a higher output alternator.

Any suggestions for a specific mode?

Mike Bee
97 Roadtrek 170p
formerly 89 VW Westfalia