Short answer: a 12V compressor fridge (not thermoelectric) sized to your trip length, with an adjustable battery protection / low-voltage cutoff. Power use depends heavily on size, ambient heat and how often you open it.
| If you need… | Look for |
|---|---|
| Weekend car camping | ~25–45 L single zone |
| Van life, 1–2 people | ~45–65 L, or a dual-zone if you want a freezer |
| Family / long trips | ~75 L+ or a dual-zone |
| Hot climates | Thicker insulation, ventilation space around the unit |
| Lithium bank | Set the fridge's cutoff to a lithium-friendly level per its manual |
Compressor fridges cycle on and off; daily Wh = running watts × duty cycle × hours. A duty cycle of roughly 25–50% is common depending on heat and use; use your fridge's published figures where available. Then check can a 100Ah battery run a fridge and size panels with the solar calculator.
Safety: These are general estimates, not a design. Follow your equipment manufacturer's instructions and local electrical code, and consult a qualified electrician for anything connected to shore power, a house, or high-current batteries.
It depends on size and conditions; compressor fridges often average a few hundred Wh per day. Multiply running watts by duty cycle and hours.
Compressor fridges cool far better and use less energy for the cooling they deliver; thermoelectric coolers struggle in heat.
Often 2–4 days for a typical compressor fridge on LiFePO4, less in hot weather. Use the calculator with your fridge's specs.
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