Cool box operation

Raistlin · 17th August 2009, 19:51

This is a question to any of you who use a 12 volt cool box in the boot of your car.

Prior to our annual migration to sunny-ish Devon, I decided to put our new cool-box to the test and ran it for 24 hours.

To be frank, the resultant temperature was something of a disappointment. The interior was best described as "luke-cool" so to speak. Certainly not what I'd describe as cold, as in, a suitable temperature to store cold drinks, salad, etc.

I was wondering what other members opinions might be.

Does one perhaps, put frozen chiller blocks in overnight prior to assist in temperature reduction and then freshly frozen chiller blocks on the day of travel, along with the food and drinks?

Your thoughts most welcome please

Phil · 17th August 2009, 20:01

You ran it for twenty four hours?! The noise mine made drove me mad! I guess though that if you put ice packs and food and drinks that are already cold it may maintain the temperature. When I go camping I always use a normal cool box and put in about six kilograms of ice and that makes canned drinks super chilled so I suppose this method could also be used if you put food in big sandwich bags. I've done that. Ususally after 12 to 15 hours its mainly still ice.

Ragman · 17th August 2009, 20:01

Much the same experience so tend to...... put frozen chiller blocks in overnight prior to assist in temperature reduction and then freshly frozen chiller blocks on the day of travel, along with the food and drinks

Number 6 · 17th August 2009, 20:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raistlin

This is a question to any of you who use a 12 volt cool box in the boot of your car.

Prior to our annual migration to sunny-ish Devon, I decided to put our new cool-box to the test and ran it for 24 hours.

To be frank, the resultant temperature was something of a disappointment. The interior was best described as "luke-cool" so to speak. Certainly not what I'd describe as cold, as in, a suitable temperature to store cold drinks, salad, etc.

I was wondering what other members opinions might be.

Does one perhaps, put frozen chiller blocks in overnight prior to assist in temperature reduction and then freshly frozen chiller blocks on the day of travel, along with the food and drinks?

Your thoughts most welcome please

Hi Raistlin,Had much the same with a "cool" box ran it for a few hours and as you say got luke cool I found putting Ice blocks in did not make that much difference to the overall coolness.The one I had you had to make sure that the cooling fan out let was unobstructed.Its one of those things that didnt live up to its expectations!

Departed · 17th August 2009, 20:20

Yes the standard ones have such a small Peltier module that they can at best keep things coolish. Getting things cold in the first place isn't going to happen

You need a better one with a bigger module, or a compressor or chemical one to work any better.

Steady-Eddie · 17th August 2009, 21:21

It's best not to keep it in the boot. We leave ours on the back seat and it keeps stuff lovely and cold. One of the good things about it is, that it's got a battery sensor on it that detects when the battery drops to a certain voltage and turns itself off to save flattening the battery. One of the best things I've bought from Halfrauds.

martin green · 17th August 2009, 21:38

I have never had one, and now yoiu give it the thumbs down unlikley to get one.

Thanks for that

MG.

Steady-Eddie · 17th August 2009, 21:59

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/s...egoryId_165657
This is the one we use. Even had ice forming in it while we were away camping in July. Only downside to it is water dripping from the condensing unit. easily solved though by putting a small tupperware box under it to catch any drips.

Parker · 18th August 2009, 07:06

I have one in the boot cost about £30 from Argos and would not be without it. Keeps drinks etc. lovely and chilled. I bought it to use for the Cosford meet. I also use it if I pop out lunchtime from work & get some chilled products for tea. I guess it's down to the effectiveness of the box and it's quality. Also as the instructions say don't pack the box jammed full air must be allowed to circulate through the stuff you have in there. :lol:

moonstoneboy · 18th August 2009, 07:38

The cool box needs to dissipate heat in order to provide the cooling. The boot of the car will be warm and get warmer from the heat given off by the box thereby reducing the cooling effect - needs to be kept somewhere where the heat is less, i.e. inside the car especially with the a/c on.

17th August 2009, 19:51	#1
Raistlin Banned 75 CDT Connoisseur SE Auto Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Wolverhampton Posts: 8,450 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	Cool box operation This is a question to any of you who use a 12 volt cool box in the boot of your car. Prior to our annual migration to sunny-ish Devon, I decided to put our new cool-box to the test and ran it for 24 hours. To be frank, the resultant temperature was something of a disappointment. The interior was best described as "luke-cool" so to speak. Certainly not what I'd describe as cold, as in, a suitable temperature to store cold drinks, salad, etc. I was wondering what other members opinions might be. Does one perhaps, put frozen chiller blocks in overnight prior to assist in temperature reduction and then freshly frozen chiller blocks on the day of travel, along with the food and drinks? Your thoughts most welcome please

17th August 2009, 20:01	#2
Phil This is my second home Rover 75 CDT Connoisseur SE Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Wales Posts: 12,227 Thanks: 469 Thanked 523 Times in 241 Posts	You ran it for twenty four hours?! The noise mine made drove me mad! I guess though that if you put ice packs and food and drinks that are already cold it may maintain the temperature. When I go camping I always use a normal cool box and put in about six kilograms of ice and that makes canned drinks super chilled so I suppose this method could also be used if you put food in big sandwich bags. I've done that. Ususally after 12 to 15 hours its mainly still ice. __________________

17th August 2009, 20:01	#3
Ragman This is my second home ZT 260 SE Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Ashington, West Sussex Posts: 3,512 Thanks: 2 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Much the same experience so tend to...... put frozen chiller blocks in overnight prior to assist in temperature reduction and then freshly frozen chiller blocks on the day of travel, along with the food and drinks __________________ I've learned that no matter how serious your life requires you to be, everyone needs a friend to act goofy with.

17th August 2009, 21:21	#6
Steady-Eddie Avid contributor 2004 75 CDTi, Conn SE Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Newcastle under Lyme Posts: 162 Thanks: 32 Thanked 5 Times in 5 Posts	It's best not to keep it in the boot. We leave ours on the back seat and it keeps stuff lovely and cold. One of the good things about it is, that it's got a battery sensor on it that detects when the battery drops to a certain voltage and turns itself off to save flattening the battery. One of the best things I've bought from Halfrauds. __________________ Eddie

17th August 2009, 21:59	#8
Steady-Eddie Avid contributor 2004 75 CDTi, Conn SE Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Newcastle under Lyme Posts: 162 Thanks: 32 Thanked 5 Times in 5 Posts	http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/s...egoryId_165657 This is the one we use. Even had ice forming in it while we were away camping in July. Only downside to it is water dripping from the condensing unit. easily solved though by putting a small tupperware box under it to catch any drips. __________________ Eddie

17th August 2009, 20:20	#5
Departed Retired -- Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: -- Posts: 3,785 Thanks: 0 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts	Yes the standard ones have such a small Peltier module that they can at best keep things coolish. Getting things cold in the first place isn't going to happen You need a better one with a bigger module, or a compressor or chemical one to work any better.

17th August 2009, 21:38	#7
martin green Posted a thing or two ROVER 75 TOURER CDT 2002 & 2000 PRIMROSE YELLOW 75 SE Join Date: May 2007 Location: ASHBY DE LA ZOUCH Posts: 1,518 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	I have never had one, and now yoiu give it the thumbs down unlikley to get one. Thanks for that MG.

18th August 2009, 07:06	#9
Parker This is my second home Jaguar XJ 3.0 V6 Auto (X350) & Hyundai Tuscon 2020 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Bridgend Posts: 10,342 Thanks: 69 Thanked 559 Times in 356 Posts	I have one in the boot cost about £30 from Argos and would not be without it. Keeps drinks etc. lovely and chilled. I bought it to use for the Cosford meet. I also use it if I pop out lunchtime from work & get some chilled products for tea. I guess it's down to the effectiveness of the box and it's quality. Also as the instructions say don't pack the box jammed full air must be allowed to circulate through the stuff you have in there. :lol: __________________ http://www.the75andztclub.co.uk/foru...a585a72d1c.jpg "The only thing to do with good advice is pass it on. It is never any use to oneself" SOME VERY USEFUL LINKS SIMPLE DOOR MIRROR REPAIR FITTING CROFT DOOR FINISHERS FORUM RULES CLUB SHOP

18th August 2009, 07:38	#10
moonstoneboy Posted a thing or two Rover 75 Connoisseur SE CDT Tourer - naturally in Moonstone Green Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Surrey - near Gatwick Airport Posts: 1,316 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	The cool box needs to dissipate heat in order to provide the cooling. The boot of the car will be warm and get warmer from the heat given off by the box thereby reducing the cooling effect - needs to be kept somewhere where the heat is less, i.e. inside the car especially with the a/c on.