12v cool/heat box needed, help required

khampson

I am wanting to buy a 12v cool/heat box for the car, mainly for the warmer months of course, if anyone has one can anyone help with a couple of questions I have, What tempreture does it drop too and what is the maximum temp? how long do they take to get cool, and how long do they stay cool for after they are switched off from the mains? what are the best ones to go for?

Keith

Mr_Reeman

It depends what type they are. I have a Peltier type which cools or heats to something like 20 degrees C below the ambient temperature or there abouts. It cannot be controlled as it is based on the temperature outside the box. It took about 30 minutes to get cool and then would keep at that temperature for a good few hours. Either way, I kept milk fresh and beer cold in one on a camping trip for a good few days when it was 27 Degress C outside most days.

More expensive boxes may be more controllable and have thermostats etc.

khampson

When it was 27 degrees did it keep you beer cold?

forgotmyname

They will cool to say 15 degrees below the outside temperature. Better ones will cool to lower temperatures.

So his would have been around 12 degrees.

Like a flask if you dont open it the temp will stay lower for a good few hours, As soon as you open it though it
will warm up fairly quickly.

Too many people buy them and assume they can run them off a car battery whilst camping.

Although they can most will find the battery is dead before the next morning.


You need to know their limitations. So decide what you actually need from it.

A simple and cheap cool box with ice packs maybe a better option, Cheaper anyway.

The_ICT_Engineer

A average Peltier type coolbox draws between 8 and 10 amps when running. And will quickly drain your car battery. The best one's use a compressor instead of a Peltier unit. Would draw around 2.5-3amps for 40% of time at 25 degrees. The bests are made by WAECO and cost 300 -600 pounds. You pays your money and take your choice.

jaydeeuk1

I took a cheapo (well, £40 one) from argos over to france in my car where it was 30+ every day. Kept my beer and butter perfectly chilled.
Never tried the heater function though.

Otherwise wrap food in foil, and stick in the engine bay

Mr_Reeman

khampson wrote: »

When it was 27 degrees did it keep you beer cold?

It was cool, but it wasn't like taking it out of the fridge.

As mentioned above, it would quickly drain the car battery, so I would plug the cool box in only when I was using the car. I.e during the day whilst driving it around. I would then leave it unplugged and let the insulation of the cool box keep things from getting warm overnight, before cooling it down again the following day on the day trips. It's not a perfect solution but a lot cheaper than a compressor of gas fridge for example. As above, you get what you pay for.