12V Timer For Thermoelectric Cooler

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Small Cabin Forum / Off-Grid Living / 12V Timer For Thermoelectric Cooler

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# Posted: 4 Jul 2017 11:43am
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I'm sure this has been done here before but just wanted to share a little project I completed over the weekend... Wiring up a 12v digital timer for our Igloo 12v cooler.

It has multiple settings and fairly easy to program. The cooler is very well insulated so no need to keep it constantly running and sucking the life out of our solar setup.

This might be useful for weekend warriors such as ourselves. Total cost around $20

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rvneil
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# Posted: 4 Jul 2017 07:27pm
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Why not get a thermostat (digital or analog), and wire it to that, so that it cycles based on the cooler's interior temperature?

That's what I did for the cooler that I keep in my van... it still guzzles power, but not as much.

LoonWhisperer
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# Posted: 5 Jul 2017 11:30am
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^Great idea! In all my time on google looking for some fix, I never saw that posted anywhere. Do you have a link or pic of the thermostat?

rvneil
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# Posted: 5 Jul 2017 07:37pm
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I bought this one (currently listed for $10 CDN):
https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B00EK6W9QS/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc =1

If I were to do it again, I'd get a digital one instead... maybe something like:
https://www.amazon.ca/UCONTRO-Temperature-Refrigerator-10A-110VAC/dp/B06XGYYGMG/ref=s r_1_3?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1499297389&sr=1-3&keywords=digital%2Bthermostat%2Bfridge&th=1
or
https://www.amazon.ca/Digital-Cooling-Thermostat-Temperature-Controller/dp/B071CH915P /ref=sr_1_6?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1499297622&sr=1-6&keywords=digital+temperature+controlle r
or
https://www.amazon.ca/KKmoon-All-Purpose-Temperature-Controller-Thermostast/dp/B01MTK OUMI/ref=sr_1_21?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1499297622&sr=1-21&keywords=digital+temperature+con troller
or
https://www.amazon.ca/Temperature-Controller-Intelligent-Digital-Thermostat/dp/B01D2Z TZI2/ref=sr_1_24?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1499297622&sr=1-24&keywords=digital+temperature+con troller

The problem with the analog one is that there is too much hysteresis (range between switch-on and switch-off). Searching for "digital temperature controller" seems to be more useful than searching for "digital fridge thermostat"

rvneil
Member

# Posted: 5 Jul 2017 07:39pm
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A digital thermostat *may* (depending on the brand) be able to show you the current temperature inside the fridge; much better than opening the lid to look at a thermometer.

LoonWhisperer
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# Posted: 6 Jul 2017 11:55am
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Great info! I appreciate all the links. Cheers