In car 12V Fridge
Discussion
Hello all,
I currently live in Germany and make come back to visit my parents each Christmas.
I like to bring back some bacon and sausages etc so I would like to know your recommendations on a 12V fridge? Space is not an issue as its going into the back of a Volvo V70.
I see halfords has good selection....??
I currently live in Germany and make come back to visit my parents each Christmas.
I like to bring back some bacon and sausages etc so I would like to know your recommendations on a 12V fridge? Space is not an issue as its going into the back of a Volvo V70.
I see halfords has good selection....??
I've got one of these Sibir 3 way camping fridges; they work on mains, 12v and gas and they work so well that you have to be careful with the power setting or they'll freeze whatever you put in them. Cheap, and quite superb. That one's even in Germany!
Cool boxes are just insulated plastic with a fan on the top for circulation, as said one of them with lots of ice would be a good cheap option if that is what you are looking for.
Trying to remember what car I had that had a vent into the glovebox from the aircon, that was such a good thing in the summer
Trying to remember what car I had that had a vent into the glovebox from the aircon, that was such a good thing in the summer
carreauchompeur said:
The powered cool boxes are, TBH, a bit rubbish as all they seem to do is circulate air.
Can you find a Volvo unit on eBay? I'm sure they did some...
I have one. It can freeze stuff.Can you find a Volvo unit on eBay? I'm sure they did some...
The cooling isn't just an air fan, it's a proper cooling circuit - I am not sure but I think it's a peltier effect device (well, it can heat stuff too, at the flick of a switch).
Runs on 230/110v or a car cigar adapter. I can't find the exact one I have anywhere, but argos sell one that looks very very similar (20L one)
C
The powered cool boxes tend to be rubbish, but generally incorporate a Peltier heat pump rather than just a fan.
Three way fridges are a different kettle of fish altogether, and compressor driven fridges like the Engel are different again.
I'd rely on the cool box variety for things like keeping a can of drink cold, but probably not uncooked food.
Three way fridges are fine for food - I'd take mine for a week's camping and use it if I need extra fridge space at Christmas, but because they don't have a thermostat you need to keep adjusting them to suit the ambient temperature.
Compressor fridges are pretty much like a portable domestic fridge - the kind of thing you would take on an expedition. They're a bit more expensive too.
Three way fridges are a different kettle of fish altogether, and compressor driven fridges like the Engel are different again.
I'd rely on the cool box variety for things like keeping a can of drink cold, but probably not uncooked food.
Three way fridges are fine for food - I'd take mine for a week's camping and use it if I need extra fridge space at Christmas, but because they don't have a thermostat you need to keep adjusting them to suit the ambient temperature.
Compressor fridges are pretty much like a portable domestic fridge - the kind of thing you would take on an expedition. They're a bit more expensive too.
4key said:
Cool boxes are just insulated plastic with a fan on the top for circulation,
They have a Peltier heat pump (at least the ones I have seen do), though they don't tend move a lot of heat to be fair. A fan would only take a couple of hundred milliamps, the 12v cool boxes tend to take 4-5 Amps.CraigyMc said:
I have one. It can freeze stuff.
The cooling isn't just an air fan, it's a proper cooling circuit - I am not sure but I think it's a peltier effect device (well, it can heat stuff too, at the flick of a switch).
Runs on 230/110v or a car cigar adapter. I can't find the exact one I have anywhere, but argos sell one that looks very very similar (20L one)
C
How much did it cost?The cooling isn't just an air fan, it's a proper cooling circuit - I am not sure but I think it's a peltier effect device (well, it can heat stuff too, at the flick of a switch).
Runs on 230/110v or a car cigar adapter. I can't find the exact one I have anywhere, but argos sell one that looks very very similar (20L one)
C
I paid around £30 for one of the crap ones. That was a few years ago though.
The Horse Man said:
4key said:
Trying to remember what car I had that had a vent into the glovebox from the aircon, that was such a good thing in the summer
You should remember, i want to know... That sounds like genius!Also I recall Fiat Stilos' had it as well.
They all seem quite power hungry - I think mine draws in the region of 10A, so you can't leave it going with the engine off unless you have a separate battery and a split charge, or failing that a voltage controlled relay. You also need good quality lighter plugs and sockets on extension cables - cheap ones get hot and melt after a while, even if they are supposedly rated for the current.
Compressor fridges draw much less current, but they're a bit of an expensive solution for transporting a few sausages.
Compressor fridges draw much less current, but they're a bit of an expensive solution for transporting a few sausages.
If it really i only a few sausages you're looking to transport, one of these might do the trick. can be powered by AC/DC.
http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/2...
http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/2...
I've got an old 3 way camping fridge which must be 30 years old, at least. Still works fine, but the 12V circuit isn't thermostatically controlled, unlike gas or mains. Newer ones may be. Basically you get what you pay for, but my advice would be to ensure everything is well chilled before you set off and keep the fridge running on mains before you leave and keep it filled (beer works well!) as they work better when they're full
As said, unplug it when you take a break - these things will kill a car battery stone dead but will happily keep stuff chilled for a couple of hours
As said, unplug it when you take a break - these things will kill a car battery stone dead but will happily keep stuff chilled for a couple of hours
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