The Dispatch | Expert | Scudo Hub

Dolomite

Member

Registered: 2016-01-12

Posts: 114

12v coolbox as a fridge?

Just as title really, any opinions/experience? seems like a good cheap option?

Casper

Member

From: East Lothian

Registered: 2015-12-20

Posts: 2,181

Re: 12v coolbox as a fridge?

Just as title really, any opinions/experience? seems like a good cheap option?

How about having both fridge and keeper hotter

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Coolbox-Electri … B003UZ83WE

Dolomite

Member

Registered: 2016-01-12

Posts: 114

Re: 12v coolbox as a fridge?

Very cool, what would I want to keep warm though!

tee_cee

Member

Registered: 2016-03-18

Posts: 634

Re: 12v coolbox as a fridge?

Have used these coolboxes in the past, and they ok for keeping cold things cold. The main issue is that they typically continuously draw 4 or 5 amps, which is fine when the engine is running but will drain the battery very quickly when the engine is off. Also the cheaper ones will only drop the temperature 15 deg below ambient - so in summer when the inside of the van can easily be 35 deg - the coolbox will only be as low as 20 deg. Used in conjunction with freezer blocks they are still workable, though.
You can also spend a bit more and get a Waeco Tropicool. Its the same tech but they have engineered the boxes a bit more to increase the temperature differential to 30 deg, and include some temp control to reduce power consumption (a bit)

vaz2121

Member

From: Glasgow Living:~ SW. Scotland

Registered: 2015-08-31

Posts: 1,311

Re: 12v coolbox as a fridge?

I've got one of those that does hot and cool..... I agree with tee_cee it  does OK and the ice blocks help no end but as mentioned I left it plugged in and car battery was all but flat in about 4 or 5hours,
I finally wired in a power socket  that was only active when ignition was on and stuck it under bunk in truck, but only really used it for 6 months.. not the success I thought it would be.

I've found the cool box to big for our van (Doesn't fit between seats.. or fit under bed, just gets in the way)... and just use an insulated bag and it does almost as good a job, Both/either great for away days or long W/ends.......

We've had to be a little creative not having had the Luxury of fridge or cool box when touring on bike and in my case away in truck....... it's been milk N butter that's posed the usual head ache as cooked meats, bacon etc were usually bought on the day or day before eating......use/used buckets of water and an old wire shopping basket hanging in the air flow as temp control  ..........(Off topic but Got largest plastic storage box I could at time from B&M.... fill it 1/3rd with water / some soap powder... strapped it to roof as washing machine while driving....Good for the smalls and tee shirts)

PITA but  gets You by when camping/roughing it and I suppose part of the experience