Typical wattage range
35-75 W. Use a measured average when the device matters.
Camping
12V portable cooler Runtime Estimate
12V coolers can be efficient on DC, but duty cycle depends on ambient temperature and insulation.
Planning default
50 W at 60% duty cycle.
Confidence label
estimated. Treat the result as a planning estimate, not a lab measurement.
How to use this scenario
- Start with 50 W if you do not have a watt-meter reading yet.
- 12V portable cooler is treated as a cycling load at 60% duty cycle, so the calculator averages the running watts over time.
- Keep at least a planning reserve because battery age, temperature, output path, and device settings can move the result.
Watch-outs
- The scenario wattage is an estimate. Measure the real load before relying on it for outage, travel, or critical planning.
- Cycling devices can run longer or shorter depending on ambient temperature, thermostat settings, insulation, and door openings.
Sources
- U.S. Department of Energy appliance energy estimation guide (official) - Explains how to calculate energy use from wattage, hours, and nameplate current.