Sponsored

Electric Coolers - worth the cost?

RobR1T

Member
Site Sponsor
First Name
Rob
Joined
Nov 5, 2022
Threads
0
Messages
17
Reaction score
7
Location
Orange County
Vehicles
R1T
Occupation
Engineer
For the car campers, is the electric cooler a “must have” or just a luxury item? Are you using an external battery apart from your R1? If not, are you using 12V or 120V Rivian supply?

My outings are typically 2-3 nights at a time. I’m rarely space limited because it’s just me. My coolers usually contain fresh meat and produce for cooking…and maybe a few cold beverages (I’m more of a bourbon guy). I’m trying to determine if the benefit justifies the cost ($1K+).

Recomended brand / models? Camp with it in your truck bed or backseat?

thanks for input!
I’ve yet to find anything that works well.
Sponsored

 

DJG

Well-Known Member
Joined
Apr 13, 2022
Threads
12
Messages
1,006
Reaction score
1,106
Location
TX
Vehicles
Various
Please excuse the elementary questions, but want to better understand the need for external battery.

Q1: If I’m running electric cooler from Rivian 12V plug, do I run risk of draining the R1 12V battery regardless of SOC of battery cells? Does Rivian throw a warning light if 12V battery starts running low?

Q2: If I run electric cooler from Rivian 120V outlet, is the SOC all that I have to be concerned about?

Q3: I assume if I’m able to keep Rivian plugged into L2 charger at campground, then all of this is a moot point?

Thanks for sharing intel…very helpful.
1. Most decent fridges have battery protection features built in that will shut themselves off if they see a voltage drop in the source battery. In the Rivian case, the 12v is backed up by the main battery, so you don't have this risk anyway (unless the entire vehicle battery is drained of course.

2. Yes, though it should be pointed out that a) 120v will use more power than 12v regardless of source and b) having outlets on in the Rivian requires other systems to also remain on, which multiples the total power usage. So in order of most efficient power usage, it would be 1) 12v from external battery 2) 110/120 from external battery 3) 12v in Rivian 4) 110/120 in Rivian.

3. Yes, that is basically correct. Plugged into a L2 outlet, you can run the fridge, sleep in the car with HVAC, cook meals with induction, run blenders, etc. etc. and you'll add more charge than you'll use.
 

NY_Rob

Well-Known Member
First Name
Rob
Joined
Feb 9, 2022
Threads
18
Messages
3,664
Reaction score
5,066
Location
long island
Vehicles
2021 Model 3 LR AWD, 2017 BMW i3 REX, 2023 R1T
Occupation
IT
My Dometic CFX40 is a total game changer!!!! And not just for camping! .... It’s great for those Costco/grocery runs.
Thank you!!

My wife called me nuts when I put it in the back of the i3 during the summer when going grocery shopping. I knew we needed ice cream that trip and it was 90F outside (and even hotter inside the car).. .why should I have "ice soup" by the time we get home when I can set the cooler at 0F and keep the ice cream in pristine condition till we get home?

I also keep it next to the "chefs table" when we BBQ.. it holds the essentials like tequila, beer, wine coolers... fillets, sausages, etc... you know, the "must have" stuff the BBQ chef needs to keep happy while slaving over a hot BBQ for the party guests 😁
 

Singletracker

Well-Known Member
Joined
Mar 10, 2022
Threads
24
Messages
596
Reaction score
515
Location
Nevada
Vehicles
2023 R1T w/AT 20”
Thank you!!

My wife called me nuts when I put it in the back of the i3 during the summer when going grocery shopping. I knew we needed ice cream that trip and it was 90F outside (and even hotter inside the car).. .why should I have "ice soup" by the time we get home when I can set the cooler at 0F and keep the ice cream in pristine condition till we get home?

I also keep it next to the "chefs table" when we BBQ.. it holds the essentials like tequila, beer, wine coolers... fillets, sausages, etc... you know, the "must have" stuff the BBQ chef needs to keep happy while slaving over a hot BBQ for the party guests 😁
Yup. it’s also nice that you can hit the grocery store, then stop by the hardware store or wherever, on the way home, without worrying about that ice cream melting 👍 I camp a lot. I‘ve had my Dometic for several years and can’t begin to imagine how much time and money I have saved, not having to buy ice all the time.
 

NY_Rob

Well-Known Member
First Name
Rob
Joined
Feb 9, 2022
Threads
18
Messages
3,664
Reaction score
5,066
Location
long island
Vehicles
2021 Model 3 LR AWD, 2017 BMW i3 REX, 2023 R1T
Occupation
IT
Yup. it’s also nice that you can hit the grocery store, then stop by the hardware store or wherever, on the way home, without worrying about that ice cream melting 👍 I camp a lot. I‘ve had my Dometic for several years and can’t begin to imagine how much time and money I have saved, not having to buy ice all the time.
Funny you mention that... because rather than racing home like a mad man to prevent the ice cream from melting.. we made two other stops on our way home that afternoon. Much more relaxing....
 

Sponsored

Singletracker

Well-Known Member
Joined
Mar 10, 2022
Threads
24
Messages
596
Reaction score
515
Location
Nevada
Vehicles
2023 R1T w/AT 20”
Funny you mention that... because rather than racing home like a mad man to prevent the ice cream from melting.. we made two other stops on our way home that afternoon. Much more relaxing....
👍
 

NY_Rob

Well-Known Member
First Name
Rob
Joined
Feb 9, 2022
Threads
18
Messages
3,664
Reaction score
5,066
Location
long island
Vehicles
2021 Model 3 LR AWD, 2017 BMW i3 REX, 2023 R1T
Occupation
IT
Wouldn't be surprised to see some of the coolers go on sale this Black Friday..
 

mini2nut

Well-Known Member
Joined
Feb 4, 2022
Threads
43
Messages
1,606
Reaction score
1,925
Location
SoCal
Vehicles
Rivian R1T, Model Y
Australian ARB coolers are supposedly the Rolex of the bunch. You do pay a heftier price however.
 
Last edited:

ORFynder

Well-Known Member
Joined
Oct 17, 2021
Threads
17
Messages
333
Reaction score
635
Location
Bend, Or
Vehicles
"Rosie" the RIVN, Rav4 Prime
Occupation
Optimistic Advocate
Costco has one. I’ve used it for several years with no issues. Works wonderful. Nothing like your food not getting soggy from melted ice and it always being cold. It was less than the comparable Yeti cooler.
I got a Massimo Electric Cooler at Costco for $230. I know its not better then most of the coolers on this thread but if I have any issues I know I can always return to Costco for a refund at anytime
 

Madsen203

Well-Known Member
First Name
Michael
Joined
Jul 18, 2022
Threads
5
Messages
329
Reaction score
385
Location
Bay Area
Vehicles
Tesla Model Y
Occupation
Manager
I got a Massimo Electric Cooler at Costco for $230. I know its not better then most of the coolers on this thread but if I have any issues I know I can always return to Costco for a refund at anytime
This is what I had and used for years. There is a video on alipcoolers on how to tune the settings so you can adjust accuracy of thermostat, change swing temps, etc. fantastic value overall. Uses about 50wh of energy so on a large battery, it can last a day or two without significant impact. A small solar panel charger means it can run indefinitely camping with minimal sun.
 

Sponsored

crashmtb

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jul 11, 2021
Threads
0
Messages
4,642
Reaction score
7,117
Location
Man oh Manitoba
Vehicles
2002 aluminium garden shed TD5
Oh, it says electric coolers. I was going to say I didn’t think this isn’t that kind of forum
 

jemkewl

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jul 16, 2022
Threads
11
Messages
242
Reaction score
218
Location
PA
Vehicles
Rivian R1T
We've used a Massimo electric cooler for years (was a great deal on Costco).

We always power it with a portable lifepo4 battery or a 120watt portable solar panel.

It is primarily used for groceries and the like - allows us to not have to go straight home after hitting the store with the kids.
 

Sgt Beavis

Well-Known Member
First Name
Rick
Joined
Sep 28, 2021
Threads
65
Messages
1,680
Reaction score
3,548
Location
Colorado
Vehicles
2022 Rivian R1T, 2021 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon
Occupation
Overpaid Computer Nerd
Clubs
 
I've always wanted to get an electric cooler but I haven't pulled the trigger because my Yeti is simply getting the job done. I've taken it out for several days and it's always kept my food/drinks cold. I've even been able to keep ice cream solid for a couple days.

For me, I pre-cool it with a bag of ice the night before. Then I load it up with ice and food. I keep it out of the sun and minimize opening it.

I won't disparage any of the electric coolers. They are excellent options. I especially like the units from ARB and Dometic. However, a good ice chest is a viable alternative with a little planning.
 

UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan

Well-Known Member
First Name
Barnum
Joined
Mar 20, 2023
Threads
10
Messages
1,760
Reaction score
2,379
Location
SoCal
Vehicles
'23 GW Quad-Large R1T "Ghost"
Occupation
Advertising Circus
Worth depends on your use case. It can probably keep frozen goods cold for longer than 2-3 days (which is about the performance of a decent unpowered cooler with gel-based freezer packs).
 

MidnightRivian

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jun 21, 2021
Threads
54
Messages
1,232
Reaction score
1,945
Location
USA
Vehicles
Infiniti
Clubs
 
I went with BougeRV Pro Fridge / Freezer version that has tie down spots and is not as tall. It can also house a battery pack which makes it a nice option to use it without an outlet.

I am not worried about the Fridge/Freezer fitting in the frunk. What I am worried about is a cooler that barely fits and when you go over bumps or potholes, the fridge moves up and bangs into the hood.

Exterior Dimension(L*W*H): 23.0 in*12.6 in*12.0 in

I rather have something not as tall to give some room for movement up / down on rough roads or when going offroading.

I also wanted it to fit in the rear compact spare tire spot for the R1S so this took care of both items for me.

The $80 discount code that brought the cooler down to $169 was icing on the cake. Free shipping helped to seal the deal.

https://www.bougerv.com/products/crpro21-12v-truck-fridge

Here is a thread with more options

https://www.rivianforums.com/forum/threads/biggest-electric-fridge-freezer-for-frunk.17649/

Rivian R1T R1S Electric Coolers - worth the cost? 1695480640852-

Rivian R1T R1S Electric Coolers - worth the cost? 1695480740400-


Rivian R1T R1S Electric Coolers - worth the cost? 1695480762040-

Rivian R1T R1S Electric Coolers - worth the cost? 1695480779340-
Sponsored

 
 




Top