12v Coolbox Recommendation

[LeeBB]

Hi,

Can anyone recommend a decent 12v coolbox? Ideally at the low cost end of the spectrum but decent quality.

Also, how much battery do they drain when left in boot with engine off? Any risk of flat battery?

Thanks

[philpix]

I bought a Halfords 40lts mains and 12v coolbox had years of service. Top buy.

[Gizmo]

It depends on what you want to use it for, there is a real risk of flattening the battery with a thermoelectric coolbox if you need to leave it plugged in for a several hours (left on overnight they will even flatten a trucks 24v batteries!) as they draw power constantly.

 

If you are going to use it a fair bit and leaving it plugged in with the engine off is important, then you are much better off buying a proper compressor fridge, but I doubt you will get one for much less than £200.

 

A coolbox will also only cool the inside down to around 20° lower than the ambient internal temperature of the car... which on a hot day can easily be 30°+ ... so everything in the coolbox will still be at 10° +

 

Whereas a compressor fridge is just like the one at home... (some will even freeze), and they only use power when they need to pull the temperature back down to the set level.

[Svend]

I bought a Waeco S16 coolbox backpack for a friend who has a child who requires medication kept cool. The other important thing was not hindering the car in anyway (ie protecting the battery from excessive draw), and so mated it with a Waeco Coolpower M50U power protector which cuts off the power once the voltage goes down to 11.6v and restarts when the voltage reaches 12.8v.

 

  

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/WAECO-CF-RANGE-FRIDGE-M-50U-12-BATTERY-MONITOR-/271929497054?hash=item3f5042d5de:g:748AAOSwyQtVpMjU

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[RickTT]

I'm in the market for one for when we go camping.. Been looking at the halfords one for £80... Just waiting for them to stick a sale on camping gear !

[RickTT]

Are the 12v sockets on perm lives or do they shut down once the car goes fully to sleep once the modules shut down ?

[Gizmo]

Are the 12v sockets on perm lives or do they shut down once the car goes fully to sleep once the modules shut down ?

 

All 3 are permanent live

[RickTT]

Thanks for the confirmation..

Does the car have a IBS like the likes of BMW that in the event of a battery drain or low voltage the IBS will shut down key systems within the car to reduce battery load ? Ie disable the infortainment, a/c , wiper max speed, fan speed, window speed etc ??

[jjc]

Watch the power draw as I think the supply cables to the sockets are not that thick

 

John

[SuperbTWM]

Watch the power draw as I think the supply cables to the sockets are not that thick

 

John

Each of the sockets should supply 20 amps as I think that is what they are fused at. (the two in the boot of my Passat B5 had a 20amp fuse for each socket)

 

The average cool box is about 6 amps (mine is 5.5 or 6.5 according to the label) but the plug gets warm enough to burn you if you touch the end after taking it out so make sure its seated correctly.

Edited 11 April, 2016 by SuperbTWM

[NX01]

We are looking at one to pop in the boot for the long drive down from Rotterdam to Austria in Summer so thanks to the OP for putting this thread up.  I have to admit to concerns of putting a box in the boot and essentially forgetting about it and leaving it plugged in whilst driving.

[bigjohn]

I bought a Mobicool 29l mains / 12v cool box in France that was on offer(35 Euros). When on mains you can adjust the temperature/fan speed, which is great for when in a hotel room as when adjusted to eco mode it's very quiet - great feature. Would be useful when camping with mains hookup.

 

In the boot of my Superb II twindoor I've combined it with a Volton ZR1220 split relay to power it down when engine turned off and power it up when engine on (photos attached)

 

Has been great when touring Europe. Coolbox fits great allongside two collapsible boxes between the wheel arches leaving room for luggage

Edited 12 April, 2016 by bigjohn

[Phil-E]

We got one of these when they were on sale for £20 or £25 (can't remember but it was cheap):

 

http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/connabride-tristar-12v-coolbox-24l-powered-coolbox-p158653

 

It has been fine for the money but I did find it was pretty inadequately insulated and would struggle to get/stay cool in higher temperatures so I bought a roll of something like this:

 

http://www.wickes.co.uk/Wickes-Thermal-Insulation-Foil-Roll-600mmx8m/p/210022?CAWELAID=120135120000009690&CAGPSPN=pla&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=&utm_campaign=Google%20Shopping%20-%20Building%20Materials&tmcampid=&tmad=c&tmplaceref=yxpFHLQ1&tmcustom=mkwid|syxpFHLQ1_dc|pcrid|43364522812|kword||match||plid|&gclid=CjwKEAjwubK4BRC1xczKrZyj3mkSJAC6ntgrA-PGiAKAmgWsWti6fl3qXYmcMkGyhgqAij9NzxYhwBoCFgLw_wcB

 

Stuck a couple of layers inside all the sides and also some inside the lid. Works much better now. We also use a 240 to 12v converter to run on the mains while camping and use it as an extra fridge in the camper van.

 

So if you get a cheap one just be mindful that it might be poorly insulated but if it's nice and cheap it can probably be easily and cheaply modified.

 

Phil

Edited 12 April, 2016 by Phil-E

[dstev2000]

Another vote for a Waeco cool box. I've had a Tropicool TC-21 for a few years and it's always performed brilliantly. We did a 6 hour drive home from holiday with all sorts of perishables inside it like milk etc. and everything was still freezing cold when we got home. http://www.waecofridges.co.uk/tropicool/tc21.htm

It was left in the boot for about 30 minutes during a stop with no problems concerning the battery. It switches to a low power mode when it hits its set point. 

 

Just beware that the electronic Peltier style coolers (most of them) will only cool the inside as a function of the outside temperature i.e. the warmer it is outside, the less cooling it can do on the inside. Some have better performance than others. Cheaper ones might only cool 15-18ºC below ambient, the Tropicool I have will cool up to 30ºC below ambient, and it does get absolutely freezing!

 

Check the specs for this on any model you are looking at. 

 

Compressor driven coolers don't have this problem but they are pricey, heavy, bulky and thirsty for power in comparison. 

[ant2ant]

Lidll are doing there own cool box this Thursday . I have one and found it to be very good

http://www.lidl.co.uk/en/our-offers-2491.htm?action=showDetail&id=32924#

[RickTT]

Lidll are doing there own cool box this Thursday . I have one and found it to be very good

http://www.lidl.co.uk/en/our-offers-2491.htm?action=showDetail&id=32924#

 

 

Thank you for sharing this.

 

The lidl one is 29l for £40... the Halfords ones are £40 for 14 litres or £50 for 24 litres

 

I was looking at the Halfords 40 litre for £80, but is 11L worth an extra £40.... no its not..

 

http://www.halfords.com/camping-leisure/camping/coolboxes?rmsrc=1&_$ja=tsid:35590|cid:81485697|agid:3808132789|tid:kwd-17268383480|crid:8874214724|nw:search|dvc:c|mt:bp|st:halfords%20coolbox

 

Thanks again - top man.

 

 

edit ###########

 

I have don e some digging.. the model of the Lidl one is a

ROCKTRAIL® Elektrokühlbox REK 230 B2 which are similar--  but under the CRIVIT brand.

http://www.lidl.de/de/rocktrail-elektrokuehlbox-rek-230-b2/p63031?zanpid=2157247944188220416&zxuid=9975&zxwsid=12140

 

Ful manual can be found here - http://ipv-service.de/

 

However.. last year these where on sale at £34,99 old posts suggest.....

 

Im going to get one of these regardless.

 

cheers

Edited 18 April, 2016 by RickTT

[philpix]

Thank you for sharing this.

 

The lidl one is 29l for £40... the Halfords ones are £40 for 14 litres or £50 for 24 litres

 

I was looking at the Halfords 40 litre for £80, but is 11L worth an extra £40.... no its not..

 

http://www.halfords.com/camping-leisure/camping/coolboxes?rmsrc=1&_$ja=tsid:35590|cid:81485697|agid:3808132789|tid:kwd-17268383480|crid:8874214724|nw:search|dvc:c|mt:bp|st:halfords%20coolbox

 

Thanks again - top man.

 

 

edit ###########

 

I have don e some digging.. the model of the Lidl one is a

ROCKTRAIL® Elektrokühlbox REK 230 B2 which are similar--  but under the CRIVIT brand.

http://www.lidl.de/de/rocktrail-elektrokuehlbox-rek-230-b2/p63031?zanpid=2157247944188220416&zxuid=9975&zxwsid=12140

 

Ful manual can be found here - http://ipv-service.de/

 

However.. last year these where on sale at £34,99 old posts suggest.....

 

Im going to get one of these regardless.

 

cheers

I have the Halfords 40Lt well worth the extra IMO for what you can get in and the ability to pull out the handle and wheel all that beer!!!

[RickTT]

I have the Halfords 40Lt well worth the extra IMO for what you can get in and the ability to pull out the handle and wheel all that beer!!!

Yeah my mate has the 40l one, hence why that's been my primary option.

I am going to have a look in lidl and take it from there.

[dumpling1954]

Yeah my mate has the 40l one, hence why that's been my primary option.

I am going to have a look in lidl and take it from there.

I have the Halfords 40l version. The extra carrying capacity comes in very handy when coming back from The Netherlands with 4kg of Dutch cheeses and the results of a raid on a French hypermarket.

Edited 20 April, 2016 by dumpling1954

[RickTT]

Lidll are doing there own cool box this Thursday . I have one and found it to be very good

http://www.lidl.co.uk/en/our-offers-2491.htm?action=showDetail&id=32924#

 

I went to look / get one of these cool boxes as i was passing.

 

Note - my local store (and local area).. the camping offers starts on Monday 25th, not today.

Edited 21 April, 2016 by RickTT

[RickTT]

Got one this morning from lidl.

Option of blue or grey.

3 yr warranty.

[dumpling1954]

Got one this morning from lidl.

Option of blue or grey.

3 yr warranty.

Looks good.