12v Fridges

[Joe5y]

Next week I set off for Le Mans.

I have been looking at 12v fridges to cool beer and beer alone. There are a number of mixed reviews on these, many suggesting that they're pretty rubbish and actually have the opposite effect.

Any recommendations?

TIA

[bigdom]

The missus has one to keep her lunch cool when she's out and about, agree, it's pretty rubbish. We have a 3 way standalone fridge that chills up to 30c below ambient, although that's well over £200.

http://www.towsure.com/camping-tents-and-outdoor-l...

I'd be more tempted with a 7 day coolbox and a few bags of ice for Le Mans.

http://www.costco.co.uk/view/c/sports-leisure/camp...

[Joe5y]

Thank you for the advice.

What about buying an inverter 12v - 230v and getting a small fridge or even a small freezer?

[soggybiscuit]

I spent ages looking into this after too many warm beers towards the end of the weekend. Long and short is an electric cool box is next to useless and uses way too much power.

I ended up getting a Mobicool FR35, runs off 12V or 240V (we use a leisure battery and solar panel for power) and can go as low as -12 (almost irrespective of ambient temps). Properly efficient (uses a compressor like a domestic fridge) and we had ice cold beers for the Sunday night after the race. Not the cheapest, managed to get mine for £249 though do use it several times a year. No issues with needing to keep it level as you sometimes get with a 3-way either.

TL;DR - get a proper fridge if you can

[Nigel Worc's]

I have a 12Vdc Halfords coolbox.

It works very well for what it is, although I only use it when the engine is running, about £50 if I remember correctly.

[Joe5y]

I'm actually contemplating this - just seems expensive for a cool box!

[Nigel Worc's]

I think this is the one I have, they are even cheaper now as there is a new model out

http://www.halfords.com/camping-leisure/camping/co...

[Petrol Only]

Joe5y said:

I'm actually contemplating this - just seems expensive for a cool box!

It is expensive for a cool box.

I've got one fill it up on the Friday with 3 bags of ice and first round of beers. Still ice/cold come time to go home Monday after several refills of beer over the weekend.

I'd get the one with wheels bloody heavy loaded. Can be used as a bonus seat.

[Joe5y]

Petrol Only said:

It is expensive for a cool box.

I've got one fill it up on the Friday with 3 bags of ice and first round of beers. Still ice/cold come time to go home Monday after several refills of beer over the weekend.

I'd get the one with wheels bloody heavy loaded. Can be used as a bonus seat.

Have you got this actual make / model?

[Joe5y]

Nigel Worc's said:

I think this is the one I have, they are even cheaper now as there is a new model out

http://www.halfords.com/camping-leisure/camping/co...

Think I'll pop in tomorrow and take a look.

[micky metro]

I,m off to le mans in my t5 camper, it,s fitted with a 12v waeco fridge and powered by a leisure battery with split charge system, the fridge although more efficient than 12v cool boxes etc, but will flatten the leisure battery within 3 days unless you have solar power. I would be either inclined to drink the warm beer and enjoy it or pay the extortionate bar prices for cold beer. I will park my van up on wednesday at le mans and have cold beer etc for 2 days, then will switch the fridge off and save the battery for lighting/phone charging for the rest of the week.

[Petrol Only]

Joe5y said:

Have you got this actual make / model?

Same make, slightly different model. Has wheels and extendable handle.

Genuinely impressed with it. Very heavy duty. Don't expect to replace it any time soon.

http://www.charliesdirect.co.uk/coleman-50qt-xtrem...

Edited by Petrol Only on Tuesday 6th June 22:17

[Joe5y]

Petrol Only said:

Joe5y said:

Have you got this actual make / model?

Same make, slightly different model. Has wheels and extendable handle.

Genuinely impressed with it. Very heavy duty. Don't expect to replace it any time soon.

http://www.charliesdirect.co.uk/coleman-50qt-xtrem...

Edited by Petrol Only on Tuesday 6th June 22:17

Thank you. Before I order, one last question - more in line with PH standards I'd hope. How many cans of beer does it hold?!

[bigdom]

84. Although I'd leave plenty of room for ice.

Have a few bottles of red wine to keep you going inbetween restocking.

In true PH style, this is what you need, more of a V8....as it holds 280 cans. They're also cheaper in-store if you know someone with a card.

http://m.costco.co.uk/view/p/igloo-156-litre-165-u...

Edited by bigdom on Tuesday 6th June 22:59

[Output Flange]

This is the one I've bought:

http://www.mgdonline.co.uk/products/dometic-combic...

To replace a 12v Halfords 40 litre coolbox which needed to run pretty much continuously to cool anything.

[Kev_Mk3]

Ive always had a standard coolbox but stick frozen bottles of water in with the beers keeps them cold and also you can drink the water when you fancy a change

[Output Flange]

Output Flange said:

This is the one I've bought:

http://www.mgdonline.co.uk/products/dometic-combic...

To replace a 12v Halfords 40 litre coolbox which needed to run pretty much continuously to cool anything.

I've just fired it up (on gas) for a first test run. Good job I went back to check it, after about 5 mins it was starting to freeze my test beer!

Should do the job nicely.

[mcflurry]

We've found that frozen chips work better than ice for keeping stuff cool for longer, even with a standard coolbox

[Output Flange]

I'm in Le Mans now. It's absolutely roasting. Whatever you were planning to do to keep things cool, turn it up to 11.

[Joe5y]

Output Flange said:

I'm in Le Mans now. It's absolutely roasting. Whatever you were planning to do to keep things cool, turn it up to 11.

We're on our way! Keep those beers cool