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I ( retired) was planning a 3-4 week auto trip throughout several states. But then I remembered that I wanted to take my Bimix and accessories with me. This caused an 'aw shit" moment as I don't know how to keep the Bimix chilled in the car while traveling. On short trips I just take a mini-cooler and fill up with ice at motels. I don't want to be chasing ice machines for 3-4 weeks.

Has anyone seen any mini-fridge/coolers designed for auto travel that can be plugged into an auto's electrical system? Something that is affordable.

In 2018 I did three weeks on Rte 66 with a high-tech soft cooler ("Polar Bear" brand) that relied on ice. Motel ice machines were one source. But if I needed a mid-afternoon re-charge, it was a simple matter to hit a convenience store and get a Big Gulp drink container filled with ice. More than enough for the little cooler.

This setup worked in the trunk of a Miata sports car on 100-degree days inn the Mojave desert.

And yes there are 12 volt coolers that will run off your dashboard electrical outlet.Probably some experienced FT members will weigh in with info about that cooler type. Be sure to find out how much current that type of cooler draws when the car is parked and the engine is shut off.

I have an older 12 volt cooler. It doesn't give you any set temperature settings. It gives you a percentage below the ambient temperature. So, if left in a closed car on a hot day where the temperature can easily exceed 100, the cooler temp can get pretty warm. I was unimpressed. A small very good cooler is, IMHO, better. It doesn't take much ice to keep a small QUALITY cooler going. A quality Yeti type cup does amazingly well. I got a small styrofoam container from a friend that was a hog breeder. He got them containing shipments of hog sperm. It works very well but I wouldn't know where to buy one.