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Technical Information on 12-Volt Coolers
See Koolatron 12-Volt Cooler Comparison Chart
Refrigeration is the process of pumping heat energy out of an insulated chamber in order to reduce the temperature of the chamber below that of the surrounding air. Thermoelectric refrigeration uses a principle called the "Peltier" effect to pump heat electronically. The Peltier effect is named after a Jean Peltier, a French scientist who discovered it in 1834. He noted that when an electrical current is applied across the junction of two dissimilar metals, heat is removed from one of the metals and transferred to the other. This is the basis of thermoelectric refrigeration.
Thermoelectric modules are constructed from a series of tiny metal cubes of dissimilar exotic metals which are physically bonded together and connected electrically. When electrical current passes through the cube junctions, heat is transferred from one metal to the other. Solid-state thermoelectric modules are capable of transferring large quantities of heat when connected to a heat absorbing device on one side and a heat dissipating device on the other. Switch the Voltage on the 2 plates (reverse the 12 Volt plug) and a 12 Volt Cooler will also heat. Hence the common name, Cooler/Warmer.
The Koolatron's internal aluminum cold plate fins absorb heat from the contents, (food and beverages), and the thermoelectric modules transfer it to heat dissipating fins under the control panel. Here, a small fan helps to disperse the heat into the air.
The system is Totally Environmentally Friendly and contains no hazardous gases, nor pipes nor coils and no compressor. The only moving part is the small 12-volt fan.
Thermoelectric modules are too expensive for normal domestic and commercial applications which run only on regular household current. They are ideally suited to recreational applications because they are lightweight, compact, insensitive to motion or tilting, have no moving parts, and can operate directly from 12-volt batteries.
A 12-Volt Cooler is much better than a regular Cooler full of Ice. Food and beverages are kept cold and dry. No space is wasted for ice (unless of course you want ice, in which case we can help to preserve it 3 or 4 times longer than a plain cooler.
Advantages of Thermoelectric Refrigeration:
Koolatron 12-Volt Coolers | Capacity Quarts | Can Be Used Upright | Wheels | Split Lid | Vent in Lid for Tight Packing | Temp Readout | Also Warmer |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Kool Sport | 7.5 Quarts | NO | NO | NO | NO | NO | YES |
Traveler II | 8 Quarts | NO | NO | NO | NO | NO | YES |
Thinline Space Saver | 18 Quarts | NO | NO | NO | NO | NO | YES |
Fun-Kool | 26 Quarts | NO | NO | NO | YES | NO | NO |
Midsize Companion | 28 Quarts | NO | NO | NO | YES | NO | NO |
Kargo Kooler Midsize | 33 Quarts | YES | NO | YES | YES | NO | YES |
Midsize Kool Wheeler | 34 Quarts | NO | YES | YES | YES | NO | YES |
Kool Kaddy Midsize | 36 Quarts | YES | NO | NO | NO | NO | YES |
Large Travel Saver | 45 Quarts | NO | NO | NO | NO | NO | YES |
Krusader Ultra Large | 52 Quarts | NO | NO | NO | NO | NO | YES |
Special Applications Temperature Controlled (Set Temp, Set Range & Adjustable) | 32, 36, 45 & 52 Quarts | NO | NO | NO | NO | YES | NO |
See All Koolatron 12-Volt Cooler (Pictures of All Koolatron 12-Volt Coolers)
Cooler FAQ (Frequently asked Questions)
Compare All Koolatron 12-Volt Coolers (Technical Info on Koolatron 12-Volt Coolers)
Koolatron 12-Volt Accessories 120 Volt AC to 12-Volt DC Adaptor - Battery Saver (No Dead battery)
Engel 12-Volt Freezers Engel 12-Volt Refrigerators
Budget Refrigerator & Heater Boxes: Looking for a nice balance between the 12-Volt Cooler and the 12-Volt Freezer? See Koolatron's 12-Volt Temperature Controlled Digital Precision Coolers.
Have you checked out our 12-Volt Cooking Items?
Small 12-Volt Coolers (7.5 to 18 Quarts)
Midsize 12-Volt Coolers (21 to 36 Quarts)
Large 12-Volt Coolers (45 to 52 Quarts)