Portable Cool Boxes

[rigpigpaul]

Hi all,
I am thinking about buying a portable 12 volt cool box. My fridge is not very big and when the grand kids visit my fridge ends up full of soft drinks. Any comments and advice on which ones to buy would be appreciated.

RPP

 

[whiteoaks7]

I want one too and if anyone knows where to buy one in Preveza area next week please let me know. 26L size should be around £35 I guess.

To address the question the only thing to watch for is the amps it takes. You can reduce that by siting it somewhere already cool and maybe adding more insulation (e.g. if it's in a cupboard fill the space around it). These really are COOL boxes so don't expect a fridge performance but for cold cans (and for us vegetables and wine) they should be a good adjunct to the fridge.

 

[david36]

For the UK I would recommend a look at the Towsure website. They have a number of coolboxes/fridges which are 12v or 12/230v and are designed for caravan and RV use but are also very suitable for boats. They even have one which can be used as a freezer albeit on the 230v setting only. We have had one for a few weeks and so far it works very well, possibly because it has lots and lots of insulation.
Fair winds.

 

[RAI]

I got one in a local Carrefour. It uses about 12V 5 amps continuously, so OK when on shore power. The box itself doesn't have enough insulation, so I bought a second bigger ordinary cool box and put the electric one inside it with a towel around it for extra insulation (the top has to be free). It works, but only cools by maybe 15 degrees. It is useful for wine, but most people prefer a lower temperature for beer.

 

[blueglass]

wehave had one for years but as others have said - performance is weak compared to a fridge and unless the contents are already well chilled when they go in - expect a VERY long wait before you get a cold beer.
We bought a small tabletop icemaker which is really good if you have shorepower or a gennie.

 

[Csail]

Got me thinking, but one of these would be very handy via the inverter.
http://premier-appliance.amazonwebs...fic_src=GB&utm_medium=CSE&utm_source=GB&id=uk

 

[Csail]

wehave had one for years but as others have said - performance is weak compared to a fridge and unless the contents are already well chilled when they go in - expect a VERY long wait before you get a cold beer.
We bought a small tabletop icemaker which is really good if you have shorepower or a gennie.

True if you have shore power this is brilliant for the price.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/HUSKY-WIN..._Kitchen_Fridges_Freezers&hash=item2a136ec49f

 

[blueglass]

Got me thinking, but one of these would be very handy via the inverter.
http://premier-appliance.amazonwebs...fic_src=GB&utm_medium=CSE&utm_source=GB&id=uk

yes that's the kind of thing we have - bought online - sorry cant remember where - it was around £100.00

 

[AngusMcDoon]

The only really effective and power efficient cool boxes are the ones with a compressor in them. Fridge or freezer temperature and will cool already warm contents easily enough. The cost lots of £$€ though. Waeco is one manufacturer.

http://www.waeco.com/en/4191.php

 

[Chris.mcc240]

Cool box

I have one, not sure of the make but i can look. Came from halfords cost about £60 and holds a fair bit. Several bottles of wine 4 pint milk cartons plus eggs bacon etc..
Mine is supposed to use 4 amps per hour and will run a 100 amp battery down to half power over night.
I used it for refrigeration for four weeks june/july with several days in the 30s. If left running it is so efficient it freezes the bottom of the milk and freezes the eggs if you leave them on the bottom.
Can't recommend them enough cheep, resonable energy use, and extremely efficient if used sensibly.
If im going away for a weekend i start mine off by putting a frozen 2 litre water carton in it and plug it into the car whilst driving to the boat. The carton takes several days to thaw out ..