We've had our Koolatron for four years and generally use it a couple of times per year on road trips of 2-4 hours in duration.
Pros:
It is large enough to carry what we need for a trip lasting several days while compact enough to fit easily in any of our vehicles.
It keeps things cool while in transit to a destination with an in-room refrigerator.
It is sufficiently insulated to keep things adequately cool *with* the addition of a couple of cold packs.
Cons:
Here is the big problem and absolutely Not unique to this product- it does not have much cooling capacity on its own.
After reviewing the extravagant claims in some reviews I performed my own test, here are the results:
At a stable ambient temperature of 72F, the unit achieved a steady-state internal temperature of 57F, i.e. a temperature differential of 15F.
Here's the explanation of why this result is reasonable:
Thermoelectric coolers, like this one, use a device known as a Peltier which operates on the Seabeck effect. These solid-state devices cause heat to move from one side to the other in the direction of electric current flow. This is why the heat transfer can be reversed by changing the direction of the current, i.e. reversing the polarity of the plug causes the interior of the Koolatron to warm. This happens because the 'heat' follows the flow of electrons from one side of the Peltier junction to the other. Thus, the amount of heat transferred across the device is proportional to the number of electrons (current) flowing through it. As others have noted, this unit operates at 48watts (12V * 4A). Single-stage Peltiers (like this one) are typically 5% efficient at converting current into heat transfer equating to a typical heat transfer of ~2.5 watts. So, imagine the heat that would be captured by putting a 2.5-watt incandescent light bulb in a 1.4 square foot box. This is the amount of heat this cooler can move, either into or out of its interior.
It is physically impossible to create a 45F degree differential, especially at an ambient temperature of 90F+ using this technology *at* this power level. Thus, my observed temperature difference of 15F at 72F is quite good considering what we're working with here.
Conclusion:
For its design and price point, this cooler does what anyone should expect from it. This insulated box will keep things 'cold' for (I'm guessing) ~24 hours of travel in a warm environment. Think of the electric cooling component more like the 'wind on the back' of the ice packs;)
| Manufacturer | Koolatron |
|---|---|
| Brand | Koolatron |
| Model | Koolatron |
| Item Weight | 9.88 pounds |
| Product Dimensions | 12.09 x 16.59 x 17.59 inches |
| Country of Origin | Canada |
| Item model number | P-25 |
| Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
| Manufacturer Part Number | P-25 |
| OEM Part Number | Koolatron P25 |
| Lift Type | Electric |
