1
Voltage Gate
PASSDevice output type must match generator output.
120V required -> 120V available
Yes, the RIVER 2 can run a Portable Electric Cooler
This pairing clears the safety headroom. Required ~75W running and 150W surge; the RIVER 2 is rated 300W / 600W.
Power Margin Analysis
300W / 600W Capacity Running 225W headroom
75W required
Surge 450W headroom
150W required
Decision Gate Waterfall
Same decision gates as the engine: voltage, running, surge. Runtime is shown as operational context.
2
Running Gate
PASSContinuous draw with safety buffer applied.
75W required -> 300W available (225W headroom)
Required 75W required
Available 300W
3
Surge Gate
PASSStartup peak with safety buffer applied.
150W required -> 600W available (450W headroom)
Required 150W required
Available 600W
3b
With Soft-Start
PASSAlternative startup path with reduced inrush.
68W required -> 600W available (532W headroom)
Required 68W
Available 600W
4
Runtime Insight
INFORuntime context only. It does not change the electrical compatibility verdict.
Continuous estimate: 3.0h
Typical cycling estimate (40% duty): 7.5h
Device profile reference: up to 12h per day.
Power bars show required versus available output for each gate.
View full compatibility reportDecision Snapshot
Quick compatibility, required headroom, and model-specific context at a glance.
⚡
300W
Running Power
🔋
256Wh
Capacity
⏱️
~3h
Est. Runtime
☀️
110W
Solar Input
Quick Compatibility Check
- 1 Running headroom: target 75W; generator provides 300W.
- 2 Surge headroom: target 150W; generator provides 600W.
- 3 Tip: leave headroom for startup spikes and warm conditions.
Model-Specific Results
3 of 3 models are SAFE or TIGHT. Most demanding model: Alpicool C20 (20L Portable Fridge) (120W surge).
| Model | Running | Surge | Verdict | Runtime | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dometic CFX3 35 (36L Compressor Cooler) | 50W | 100W | Safe | ~3.6h | OEM Verified |
Show expert analysisTechnical: **Running load:** 50 W (AC rated input, compressor active). **Surge:** 100 W (estimated 2x compressor startup). **Voltage:** 120 V AC required (also runs on 12/24V DC). Dometic's VMSO3 compressor is optimized for low power draw — Dometic describes it as 'using less power than a 60W light bulb.' Field note: The Dometic CFX3 is the gold standard for overlanding. At 50W peak / 20W average, even a compact 500Wh power station runs it for over 24 hours. Use the 12V DC input to bypass the AC adapter and improve efficiency when connected to a power station with DC output. How long can I run a Dometic CFX3 on a portable power station? At ~20W average (compressor cycling), a 1000Wh station (700Wh usable) runs the CFX3 for about 35 hours — easily covering a long weekend camping trip. | |||||
| BougeRV CRPRO30 (30 Qt Portable Fridge) | 45W | 90W | Safe | ~4.0h | OEM Verified |
Show expert analysisTechnical: **Running load:** 45 W (MAX mode). **Surge:** 90 W (estimated 2x compressor startup). **Voltage:** 120 V AC (or 12/24V DC). ECO mode reduces running draw to 36W. Budget-friendly alternative to Dometic with comparable performance. Field note: Use ECO mode on battery to maximize runtime — it reduces peak draw from 45W to 36W and cycles less frequently. The BougeRV is roughly half the price of a Dometic CFX3 with similar power draw. What's the difference between MAX and ECO mode for battery life? ECO mode draws 36W vs 45W for MAX, and cycles the compressor less aggressively. On a 500Wh power station, ECO provides roughly 20+ hours vs 16 hours in MAX mode. | |||||
| Alpicool C20 (20L Portable Fridge) | 60W | 120W | Safe | ~3.0h | OEM Verified |
Show expert analysisTechnical: **Running load:** 60 W (rated maximum). **Surge:** 120 W (estimated 2x compressor startup). **Voltage:** 120 V AC (or 12/24V DC). Despite being the smallest cooler in this comparison (20L), the Alpicool C20 draws the most power due to a less efficient compressor design. Field note: The Alpicool C20 is the entry-level option at the lowest price point. It draws more power per liter of cooling capacity than the Dometic or BougeRV. For longer off-grid trips, the efficiency difference adds up — consider a BougeRV or Dometic for multi-day camping. Is the Alpicool C20 efficient enough for solar-powered camping? At ~25W average draw, a 100W solar panel with a power station handles the C20 comfortably during daylight hours. The challenge is overnight draw when solar isn't producing — plan for ~150-200Wh of battery reserve for 8 hours of nighttime cooling. | |||||
How This Pairing Performs Across Our Database
This unit ranks #2 of 33 compatible generators for this device by buffered margin (Overkill class).
How Portable Electric Cooler Performs Across 33 Tested Generators
33 of 33 generators are SAFE+TIGHT for Portable Electric Cooler.
33
Safe+Tight
Safe 33 (100%)
Power Comparison: EcoFlow RIVER 2 vs Top Alternatives for Portable Electric Cooler
EcoFlow RIVER 2 Safe Overkill
Current unit
Running 300W
Surge 600W
Fit class uses buffered needs (running and surge) for this device.
Specs & Surge Analysis
⚡
Outdoor & RV
Portable Electric Cooler
Camping / Road Trip
Select Your Model:
60W
Running
120W
Surge
120V
Required
True Surge™ Analysis
Safety Buffer: +25% Running Power Usage 25% Utilization
75W required 300W Capacity
225W headroom
Surge/Startup Peak 25% Utilization
150W required 600W Capacity
450W headroom
Voltage Match 120V ↔ 120V ✓
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Generator Insights
The 600 W surge window can support typical compressor-based startup loads found in small refrigerators, window AC units, and sump pumps. The 256 Wh capacity limits sustained runtime, but the 2:1 surge-to-running ratio can handle brief inrush currents during motor startup events. This unit can manage intermittent high-demand appliances in portable or backup scenarios.
LFP chemistry provides stable operation across discharge cycles. The 300 W continuous rating with 600 W surge headroom allows brief high-draw events without immediate overload shutdown. Source: EcoFlow RIVER 2 User Manual v1.0 (OEM documentation).
Extend Runtime with Solar
Keep your Portable Electric Cooler running with solar • MPPT: 11– 30V • Max: 110W
Official EcoFlow
110W Panel
1 Hour Sun =
Runs Indefinitely
MC4 -> XT60
Full in ~3.3h Adapter required: MC4 -> XT60.
Smart Value Goal Zero
100W Panel
1 Hour Sun =
Runs Indefinitely
Goal Zero proprietary -> XT60 adapter required
Full in ~3.7h Adapter required: Goal Zero proprietary -> XT60 adapter required.
Smart Value Jackery
100W Panel
1 Hour Sun =
Runs Indefinitely
Jackery proprietary -> XT60 adapter required
Full in ~3.7h Adapter required: Jackery proprietary -> XT60 adapter required.
Technical Analysis
Spec-Based • No GuaranteesTechnical Breakdown
Running load: 60 W (worst case, compressor active). Surge: 120 W (estimated 2x compressor startup). Voltage: 120 V AC (all models also support 12/24V DC). Portable electric coolers use small DC compressors with AC adapters. The compressor duty-cycles, so average draw is 40-50% of rated power.
Expected Behavior
Estimated runtime: ~3h. Average power draw is 18-30W depending on model, ambient temperature, and setpoint. A 12-hour camping day consumes 215-360 Wh. These are among the easiest appliances to run off-grid — most portable power stations handle them for 24+ hours.
Field Note
Use the 12V DC input when available — it bypasses the AC adapter and improves efficiency by 10-15%. Set temperature to the minimum needed (fridge mode at 4°C vs freezer at -18°C) to reduce compressor runtime and extend battery life.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the EcoFlow RIVER 2 power a Portable Electric Cooler?
Yes. The EcoFlow RIVER 2 provides 300W running / 600W surge. The Portable Electric Cooler needs 75W / 150W (including 25% buffer). That leaves 225W of running headroom and 450W of surge margin.
How long will the RIVER 2 run a Portable Electric Cooler?
Approximately 3.0 hours, based on the Portable Electric Cooler's 60W draw and the RIVER 2's 256Wh capacity (70% usable after real-world losses).
What Else Can You Run?
With 170W allocated to the Portable Electric Cooler, the RIVER 2 still has ~10W of margin. These devices could run simultaneously:
🌀
Box Fan (Medium)
60W
💡
LED Lamp
10W
📺
55' LED TV
80W
📱
Smartphone Fast-Charge
20W
Power Tip: To get the most out of your RIVER 2, keep it in a well-ventilated area. Extreme temperatures can slightly reduce the efficiency of the LFP/NMC cells.
Compare all 33 generators for the Portable Electric Cooler
Ranked by budget, runtime, and overall compatibility.
Technical Sourcing & Verification
ID: ecoflow-river-2-portable-electric-cooler 🏛️ Device Data Source
Engineering Est. Safety Factor Applied
Derived from variant list (max of variants). Running worst case = Alpicool C20 (60W rated). Surge worst case = Alpicool C20 (120W, 2x compressor startup estimate). These are DC compressor coolers with AC adapters — the adapter handles most of the compressor inrush internally, but 2x is used as conservative estimate.
⚡ Generator Specs Source
OEM Verified
EcoFlow RIVER 2 User Manual v1.0
Methodology informed by US Department of Energy (DOE) & EIA references where applicable.
Our methodology →
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