Help identifying RCA Whirlpool portable fridge/cooler

[kevin313]

Hi everyone,

A friend recently gave me a RCA portable fridge/cooler. It plugs in to a standard outlet, and has a small compartment to store food/drinks. I've never seen one of these before and I haven't been able to find any information online about it.

Do any of you have any information on this unit, such as what did they call it and roughly when were these on the market? I'm guessing early-mid 60's but I don't know for sure.

Any information on this thing is deeply appreciated!

Thank you,
Kevin

 

[DADoES]

 
Model and serial numbers are coded for dates.

 

[cfz2882]

can you tell if it has a compressor or if it is peltier junction type ? If you can get pics of machinery,screw heads,or electrical parts,might be able to identify national origin.The chrome handle looks kinda Japanese to me.I'd guess 67-72 era.

 

[bellalaundry]

Wow....

Love it! Never seen one before! Since it's portable...how heavy would you guess it weighs?

Guy

 

[petek]

Clueless but it sure is neat.

 

[combo52]

Thermo electric RCA whirlpool mini Refrigerator

Hi Keven, thanks for posting this. I’ve never seen one in person. I knew that Whirlpool had sold these in the early 60s Thermo electric refrigeration systems are still being used in portable coolers and such they’re not very effective and they use a lot of energy but they’re silent and simple.

They have trouble getting very cold. You sometimes see wine coolers that are built with this technology Brendan in reply number two used The correct name for this technology.

Did you try plugging it in to see if it works?

John

 

[jamiel]

I'd estimate slightly earlier--'61-68 (as they lost the ability to market as RCA WP in about the 1968 time frame. Cool stuff--need to get out to Croswell to see it

 

[kevin313]

Thanks, everyone!

This unit has now model or serial number on it - at least on the outside. It looks like there was a tag on the back at one time but it’s long gone.

It weighs about 20 pounds.

It does not appear to have a condenser that I can see. I spotted two components inside that are marked “Delco GM” and two cylindrical glass fuses.

I plugged it in and it does appear to cool.

Thanks,
Kevin

 

[cfz2882]

US made and Peltier type

Those Delco GM parts are likely big transistors-if you can read the #s on those parts post them-there will be a date code on those.