12v cool boxes - any good?

[pressld2]

Hi,

I'm thinking of getting one of these for my longer forays, particularly overnight ones where a normal cool box with ice blocks would be less effective.

Does any body here use one that they would recommend (or even recommend avoiding)? And how quickly do they flatten the car's battery? Can you leave them plugged in all day and still start the car in the evening?

Dave P.

[Rich_]

My Dad has one of these Dave.

His is Ok but it is not a fridge, the stuff needs to be cold when you put it in, & it struggles a bit in hot weather. It won't keep stuff frozen any longer than cool blocks would , but it keeps sandwiches & drinks reasonably cool.

I wouldn't run anything off the car battery for too long while the engine is not running. The battery does not need to loose much charge before it will refuse to start your engine, even though it would run the appliance for a while. I would, if you can justify the expense, & weight get separate leisure battery from a caravan dealers & put it in the boot when you need it, especially if you intend running it all day. You can get a 85ah one for about £35. You can get cigarette lighter fittings that you could use to connect the box to this.

I think the cool boxes also come with a mains adapter too
.

[pressld2]

Thanks Rich. I wouldn't use it very often and never for frozen stuff. It's just for those occassions when I'm off out for a long day or an overnight to somewhere that doesn't have on-site catering. It would be nice to be able to keep the next day's sandwiches reasonably fresh!

I rather thought that it would take too much out of the car battery but hadn't thought of getting another battery for it. That's a sound idea and £35 is not hideously expensive either.

Dave P.

[nightshade]

Cool boxes, good ones have an auto cut out to save your battery, this means that once your engine stops there is not enough current to run the box
Best look for a 3-way fridge that will run on gas, 12 volts, or mains 240V

[Rich_]

That's another option Nightshade do you mean these Camping Fridges Portable 3 Way Gas & Electric Camping Fridge Freezer Freezers For Tent, Mobile Home, Camper & Caravan Awning Waeco Combicool Dometic Ezetil

They may be a bit expensive for what he needs it for though, plus you'd have to buy a gas bottle ( people maybe selling them cheap on the likes of Ebay & no dearer than a battery) & pay for refills. Not a major expense really for a small bottle. You need adequate ventilation with gas however, maybe not suitable for in the car on day trips?

[pressld2]

Thanks gents, I had no idea that portable gas-powered ones existed. They look very interesting although a bit more expensive than I was planning. I shall have a further think before taking the plunge.

Dave P.

[Ann2]

Three way fridges work very well generally although the one in my camper van struggles on the hottest days. As has already been mentioned, they need adequate ventilation and also to be on level ground when using gas. I only use the fridge on 12 volt when the engine is running (i.e. when I'm travelling to my destination) because although I have a separate leisure battery, the fridge does use a lot of power.

I reckon your cheapest option is to make the trip to the nearest shop each day for a fresh loaf of bread.



Ann

[coasty]

The electric 12 V coolbox type does work it just is a bit limited in capacity...
I used one for years on camp sites with the trailor tent. Best in summer if you have an electric hookup and a site that has electric. If you kept it on your cars electrics it would flatten the battery overnight,,

However they are useful and do keep stuff cool if you respect their limitations.

[Rich_]

I have to agree with Ann, Even the 3 way fridge can struggle when you most need it. we had one in a camper & later a caravan & have had milk go off quickly in it during hot days.

They don't have a pump like a domestic fridge so are not as efficient. They rely on a boiler to circulate the coolant.