A cooler with battery packs works, but it's not a fridge replacement.

Yes – but only for short trips and with the right gear. A passive cooler (just ice) plus a battery pack does nothing to actively cool; you’re just keeping the ice frozen longer. An active cooler (thermoelectric or compressor) plugged into a battery pack can hold food at safe temps for hours, but the drain is real.

Thermoelectric coolers (like the basic plug-in ones) are inefficient – they struggle in heat and drain a 100Ah battery in maybe 8–12 hours. Compressor coolers (like Dometic, Iceco) are way better but cost more. Either way, if you’re going for a weekend, bring backup ice. Don’t trust a battery pack alone if you’re storing raw chicken.

For a day trip: fine. For a multi-day camping trip: bring extra ice or a generator. A good cooler with block ice still beats a battery-powered thermoelectric for pure cold-holding.