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paulz
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# Posted: 18 Nov 2023 19:24
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I got another RV cooler from a friend. Works fine on A/C, but I want to use it on 12v, and that cord is missing. Cords online show positive side, but when I run it on AC and check the DC terminals it shows 12v in the opposite polarity from this photo. Hmm, don’t want to smoke it..
Anyone got one?
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paulz
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# Posted: 18 Nov 2023 21:25
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Took the back cover off, one red and one black wire. Matches my voltmeter test. Also found another 12v cable online that matches (look close for - + and opposite of other I posted. Sheesh.
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gcrank1
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# Posted: 18 Nov 2023 22:26
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As I understand it, if it runs on either 120vac or 12vdc then the 120 is being stepped down to 12 in the unit.
Does it have a fan? If so, hot wiring the fan only to get the proper rotation might give a clue which wire colors mean what.
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Aklogcabin
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# Posted: 19 Nov 2023 11:16
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It doesn't have batteries ? I thought the one in our moter home ran off a couple batteries. Can you put some sloderless connectors like a push on spud on a wire n make a cord. Have alligator clips on other end. It should just heat up a small resistance heater to run the refrigation cycle. You can try a candle and see if it cools
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ICC
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# Posted: 19 Nov 2023 11:58 - Edited by: ICC
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Quoting: paulz I got another RV cooler from a friend. Works fine on A/C, but I want to use it on 12v,
What type of cooling system does it have? Is it electric only or also propane? If electric only it may be a thermoelectric cooling type (Peltier effect). Or if a 'super dooper' unit a compressor; not likely.
Many of the thermoelectric types can heat when the DC is reversed. Not all.
Make and model # would help
-izzy
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paulz
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# Posted: 19 Nov 2023 13:03
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Thanks guys. It’s a Hondox cheapo, about 150 new under various names. I got it working on 12v! There is no battery included. Like Gc suggested, the fan also has red and black wires, which tested correctly to polarity DC even under AC power so hooked up battery jumpers and it worked! It is a thermo cheapo, no compressor. The good news is I can fill with food and cool at the house, toss it in the pickup and plug it in 12v at the cabin. It weighs no more than an ice chest. Says 66 watts
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ICC
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# Posted: 19 Nov 2023 13:32
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gcrank1
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# Posted: 19 Nov 2023 13:53
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Wha Hoo 
We have a small one too, your use plan is a good one, but we've found its better for road trips running off the alt. then plugged into ac at destination.
If just running off a bat they are a constant draw; ie, at that 66w means on 12vdc it will eat about 6a/hr. Thats 144a in 24hrs!
When I was playing with it at the cabin I found at bedtime I could unplug and by wake up all was still cold. That saved a lot of -amp hrs for me.
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paulz
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# Posted: 21 Nov 2023 12:27
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Quoting: gcrank1 that 66w means on 12vdc it will eat about 6a/hr. Thats 144a in 24hrs!
yeah, ran it at the cabin last night. Is that draw constant? My compressor fridge cycles, and with it outside now it doesn’t run as much.
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gcrank1
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# Posted: 21 Nov 2023 14:43
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As far as Ive ever been able to tell it is constant. Maybe if the temp differential isnt big the 'stat in it (if it has one) will off/on some?
If I had one of those fancy battery 'monitors' for pwr in/pwr out it would be easy, I think. Dont know if a Killowatt meter on 120vac will tell? Dont have one of those either. I just know that when I tried to run my unit overnight it sucked my old 100ah LA battery waayyy down; ie, ESH (Energy Sucking Hog).
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ICC
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# Posted: 21 Nov 2023 15:24 - Edited by: ICC
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If there is a control with a number indexed dial that should be an indication it has some sort of a thermostat. I had one of these back in the mid 70's and that is what it had.
-izzy
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gcrank1
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# Posted: 21 Nov 2023 20:13
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My old ice chest sized one has a dial, all I could tell was that it increased the cold level (only once got it to some frost), didnt seem to 'cycle' at all.
Worst part was it was in a diy 'camper van' based on a Ford full size. In the heat of summer the last thing I needed was the heat exchanger in the 'cooler' adding more heat to the van interior while we were plugged into 'shore' power. Couldnt bring myself to put the thing outside, figured the food, or cooler and all would disappear in the night at the campground.
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