Koolatron Kool Auto Kaddy

by Koolatron

Product Features

• The large capacity is ideal for long trips, car cooler
• NO ICE required works as 12v compact cooler.
• Falls under 12v dc appliance as Car coolers.
• 12v fridge take any place you go, cooler on wheels.
• 12 Volts DC Cooler ideal for long trips.

Product Details

• Shipping Weight: 15 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• ASIN: B000Q6XSY8
• Item model number: P75
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #111,278 in Kitchen & Dining (See Top 100 in Kitchen & Dining)

Product Description

Ideal for long trips, big families and tailgate parties, the Koolatron(tm) Auto Kaddy uses thermoelectric cooling power from your vehicle's 12-volt outlet to keep your food and drinks cold -- no ice required. A long-life brushless motor and internal air circulation allows for even temperature distribution. The kaddy can be used vertically or horizontally and includes an internal shelf/divider.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars As good as a thermoelectric cooler can be, September 8, 2009

By 

Outdoor Enthusiast "Jeff" (Rocky Mtns, Ut) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Koolatron Kool Auto Kaddy (Misc.)

I've had my Kool Kaddy for a couple of years now. I've always wanted an iceless cooler. I basically like it, but there are a couple of things you need to be aware of. I also have an Engel MT45 fridge and an Igloo marine cooler. They all have their place and I like them all. The Engel definitely outperforms them all but its $$$. Thus why a thermoelectric cooler can be a good choice. The issues are price, weight, temperature control and efficiency (current draw). Refrigeration style (Engel) is way more efficient and has temperature set point but also way more costly and heavier.

The thermoelectric coolers cool down an amount from the ambient....typically 35 to 40 degrees F. So if you're traveling in your air-conditioned car you should get down to 40 degrees or so. Just keep it out of the sun. They do take a couple of hours to get there depending on how cool your food was when you put it in. I have the AC-DC converter so I plug mine in at home while I'm packing to pre cool it.

The biggest issue with the thermoelectric cooler is the current draw....typically 3.2 amps @12V. If your traveling, then this type of cooler works great and 3.2 amps is no big deal for your alternator. And if staying in motels, you just take your cooler inside with your 12v adapter. If you are camping where the car isn't going to be driven, then you shouldn't leave it plugged in for more than overnight as you'll chance draining your car battery the next time you go to start the car. Sometimes I take a milk jug frozen with water to supplement the cooler for times when I have to leave it off when car isn't being driven. I also take jumper cables as I've left it on too long and the car wouldn't start and had to beg for a jump. Just beware of amp-hours being consumed when car engine is off.

The real pluses are that its a fairly light cooler (similar to regular ice coolers) and you don't have to feed it with ice all the time and you don't have water sloshing around in the bottom. It's also a fairly inexpensive cooler.

The cons are that its somewhat power hungry as thermoelectric technology isn't the most efficient. Also you have limited control with what temperature its at.....but so is the same problem when using ice. I have a thermometer in mine and so can periodically monitor the temperature. I think these thermoelectric coolers do a pretty good job. I've found the cooler works best if not 100% filled to the point that the fan area is somewhat blocked.

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good product when travelling, July 10, 2007

By 

Christian Reventlow - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Product works fine and as expected. You should order the 110 Volt AC to 12 V DC power adapter (AC 15) with it to let it cool down in the night before you go on a trip.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Koolatron Kool Kaddy, December 28, 2008

By 

W. Wilson (Covina, California) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Koolatron Kool Auto Kaddy (Misc.)

I used this for the first time Christmas day and it kept everything as cold as my refrigerator. I plugged it into a wall outlet the night before and the temp got down to 34 degrees empty so when I loaded it up the next morning and drove for 3 hours everything was as cold as it was when I filled it.