Recommendations For A 12v Coolbox
- Thread starter fezza68
- Start date
depends how big/small you want it, how much performance/cost you want to spend....
maybe you could tell us about your use case
- single day trip, multi day trip,
- single user, big family
- main battery only, leisure, solar, 240v access
maybe you could tell us about your use case
- single day trip, multi day trip,
- single user, big family
- main battery only, leisure, solar, 240v access
Boomshanker
Member
We've used a 12v Halfords one for around 7 years now. Cost around £100 for 36 litres. Been no issues for us. Can get a mains adapter too, so can start chilling the beer the night before at home.
Just be aware of the different technologies available.
Compressor- very low power consumption, can maintain temperature in hot conditions, more expensive. Can usually run off 12 & 240v.
Thermoelectric, can only get down to 15-20 deg below ambient, very power hungry, will flatten a battery in hours, cheap. Usually only 12v unless you buy an adapter.
Absorption, usually “3in1”, I.e. can run on 12/240/gas, mid priced, can’t get as cold as a compressor but colder than thermoelectric. Power hungry on 12v.
Compressor- very low power consumption, can maintain temperature in hot conditions, more expensive. Can usually run off 12 & 240v.
Thermoelectric, can only get down to 15-20 deg below ambient, very power hungry, will flatten a battery in hours, cheap. Usually only 12v unless you buy an adapter.
Absorption, usually “3in1”, I.e. can run on 12/240/gas, mid priced, can’t get as cold as a compressor but colder than thermoelectric. Power hungry on 12v.
Wow, they really are the dog's nuts!
Thanks a lot. There's another twelve hundred quid I'll have to find!
We have the Weekender, we’ve had it in Croatia & Portugal in 40C+ heat & still making ice for the G&Ts. It’s a big old lump, but we put it outside when we are parked up & use it as the beer fridge. I have a 12V socket under the van for it to plug into. It travels behind the front seats when we are on the road. We have a LWB, so can still put the bed down.
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I'm totally envious man! Lovely looking things they are.
I was in the same position last summer and ended up buying a second hand Waeco CF-60. I was so impressed I bought another second hand Waeco CF-35. I can’t recommend them enough! If you can afford it, compressor models are the way to go.
Even had them running on solar for a week with a leisure battery.
Even had them running on solar for a week with a leisure battery.
