Peltier Effect Coolers

[AntarcticPilot]

Well, as usual, the collective wisdom of these fora has impressed me! I am sufficiently trained in physics to appreciate the arguments against Peltier effect devices; it all makes a lot of sense. The OZCooler would be interesting, but Google doesn't come up with a price! And I don't like the idea of a hole in the hull just to provide cooling. Of course, sea-water in the UK is unlikely to be at a temperatures much above single figures (centigrade) so this is clearly the most efficient way of using a peltier device.

As I say, the compressor systems are, at this time, overkill in terms of usage and cost. I might be interested in a unit at £260, but even that is substantially more than I was thinking in terms of. The systems others have pointed out are well over £350; for the light and intermittent usage we'd get, it simply doesn't make economic sense! They are also seriously over-engineered for the task in hand. I don't think the cool box in question is bigger than 60 litres (probably less); the smallest I've seen is specified for 80 litres. It strikes me these are the right answer for liveaboards, or those in hot climates, but that the Clyde on a weekend or week basis doesn't justify them.

So, maybe cold blocks from the freezer at home will be the answer. Problem is, home is 8 hours drive from the boat!

I do have one of the car cold boxes; maybe using that to get things down to temperature is the answer.

 

[Heckler]

Maybe, but a compressor unit will a) be vastly over-specified for the size of the box and b) be MUCH higher priced! I'm not looking for domestic refrigerator efficiencies, or a freezer compartment - just something at refrigerator temperatures of about +4 degrees C. I'm not a liveaboard as yet, so I'm not looking for more than few days use at a time. And I reckon the Peltier effect thingy would only cost about £30 all up. Indeed, it might even be worth cannibalizing a car cold box!

if I were living aboard, then I'd be looking at different kinds of solutions.

One thing I am aware of is that one side of the Peltier effect device has to be cooled so the thing can act as a heat pump. I'm still thinking about that, as the objection above that the heat circuit will spoil the efficiency of the cool box makes a lot of sense.

Ive got a portable cool box which uses one of these, I used to use it when I was caravanning. It gobbles batteries, believe me!! I had a Cavalier at the time, I parked up at the war museum by the Mulberry Harbour in France, forgot to uncouple it. We did the museum, a couple of hours max, got back to the car and it only just started! The battery was flat!.
I bought a mains to 12v convertor for it, It used to sit it in the awning, after a day or so it would get reasonably cold, then it got colder and colder and colder, slow but sure. Bottom line, no good for a boat without shore power.
Stu

 

[titian]

Waeco CF

Go on ebay & search for WAECO CF. Small compressor type portable fridges, 12/24v + maybe 240v. 18l, 25l etc. You can have coolth &/or freezth all the way from home to the boat at 3.5 - 5 amps/12v at 10% duty cycle. Super quiet as well.