On Wed, 02 Nov 2005 21:37:42 -0800, Jack Allison
wrote:

While cruising through Wal-Mart this evening, I saw a couple of those 12
volt electric coolers designed for use in a car and I started wondering
if anyone has used one in your plane? If so, how good/bad did it work?
Any issues with the plane's electrical system? Was it worth not
having to deal with ice?

I used one in my Warrior once or twice. This was a Koolatron. As
nearly as I could tell, it worked just as well in the air as it did in
a car. Strapped it down in the baggage compartment and threaded the
cord up front to the lighter socket. You just need to make sure the
vents are clear so it can get cooling air. It doesn't appear to make
any electrical noise that might constitute a hazard to radio
navigation. DC current flows through the semiconductor thermoelectric
device and the small electric fan is very quiet, both electrically and
audibly. There appear to be no problems at all.

If there's an AC converter then it will keep your stuff cool (or warm,
if it's reversible) indefinitely while in a hotel room. No extra
weight for ice or water. No pouring off water or spilling water all
over everything. No water dripping from whatever you take out of it.
No chasing around looking for replacement ice. It works better if it's
pre-cooled though and it can take quite a while for it to cool down a
load of room-temperature sodas, but if they're already cold it'll do
fine keeping them that way. That's where the AC converter can help,
you can start it cooling down the night before you leave.

This assumes that the electrical system is 12 volt. For a 24 volt
airplane you'd probably have to work something out. I suppose if the
lighter socket is already powering a computer or GPS then that might
also be an issue.

RK Henry