? auxiliary power point

I am the worst with my understanding of electrical voltage. I am considering one of those plug in coolers for traveling in my truck. Would like to forgo the cost and hassle of ice. If I ran it off the extra power point in my cab while traveling is this going to run my battery down? Or shorten its life? Don't plan on running it when engine is off. And can use motel power source once in room. I am looking at the Coleman version. Popular mechanics article says it is 12v and draws 59w during use.
Thanks for your help!

 

When you are on the road, your alternator is running the electonics of the vehicle as well as charging the battery. Go ahead and use it. If the engine is off, the power point will also be off until you turn the ignition to "on". Then your cooler will drain the battery.

 

Alternator understood. I guess I was asking if Toyota put an adequate one in.
Just wanted to make sure it wasn't a weak link. Like my dipstick!
Thanks

 

If your cooler overloads the system- you should trip a fuse before anything else happens. Your alternator should be fine.

 

If that cooler only draws 59 watts, well, that's equal to only one off road light. Most lights are 55 to 65 watts, and run in pairs. I could run that cooler on my motorcycle!!! Just don't run it for any length of time with the truck off.....
After you get the cooler, have a cold one for me!!

At 59 watts, I wouldn't expect much cooling power. You would probably be best to make sure everything is cold before you put them in. Might even put a jug of frozen water in it overnight to pre-cool the actual cooler before filling. Fill it with warm stuff, it might take a long time to cool it all off.

Of course, I've never had one of these, so this is all speculation.

 

I have a cooler like you're talking about - have used it many times with no issues.

edit -- it does take a while to get cold though. I usually get a frozen ice pack and stick it in there to help it cool faster.

 

Yep, it was a new idea. My old cooler works great. But last year I was driving an 1989 model. Having stuff like this is a whole different world. I drive from San Diego to Mammoth lakes to go snowboarding. Popular mechanics was reviewing the cooler. And I've always been jealous of the stuff they make for over the road guys. Now those products are being marketed to the regular consumer.