Home

   Log in or Register



Insurance Quotes
forums Campsite Search Comp Directory tips virtual brochure Profile
Tent and Awning Reviews Competitions Caravans and Motorhomes For Sale Shopping Diary Advent Calendar

Advertisement

Message Forums

Welcome Guest Register Login Search The Forum Posts Since Last Visit
 Reception - All Forums
  Camping and Caravanning Equipment
Share   Post on X / Twitter  Share on Facebook  Email  Printer Friendly Version Print
Subject Topic: Electric cool box - worth it? Post Reply Post New Topic
26/5/2009 at 7:02pm
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: None Entered
View malebu's Profile View Profile   Reply to malebu Reply   Quote malebu Quote  
Joined: 26/5/2009

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   1

Site Reviews Total: 2
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

Hi

I've browsed the (many) posts on this topic but don't seem to have found one that directly relates to our situation.

We've got a VW van we take camping (it's not actually a converted camper) and just need some way of keeping things like milk & butter cool for a couple of days at a time.

It seems from the previous posts that most people think electric cool boxes aren't worth it compared to a three-way fridge, but here's the thing: we don't go on EHUs and are not planning to start carrying gas around, so our only power supply is the 12V car charger when we're on the go. Presumably this will not power a fridge, so my simple question is whether a cool box is, in reality, our only option.

Alternatively, if we were to get a leisure battery and charged it at home, on average (I know this will depend on details, but as a rough guide), how long would this keep a small (say, 20-30l) fridge powered?

Thanks a lot in advance for any advice!


26/5/2009 at 7:19pm
 Location: Wirral
 Outfit: Swift Freestyle 520 on seasonal pitch
View alan29's Profile View Profile   Reply to alan29 Reply   Quote alan29 Quote  
Joined: 03/5/2005

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   4679

Site Reviews Total: 12
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

If its just a couple of days, freeze a bottle of milk. It will take that long to finally thaw, and will keep everything else chilled.
Alan


26/5/2009 at 7:21pm
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: flowery bell tent!
View Sarah+Simon's Profile View Profile   Reply to Sarah+Simon Reply   Quote Sarah+Simon Quote  
Joined: 01/8/2004

Silver Member
Silver Member

Forum Posts:   171

Site Reviews Total: 6
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

you can hardwire in a leisure battery into a van. that was our plan when we had a camper. that way it trickle charges after your main battery is charged everytime you go out... might be worth checking out justkampers for the kit and their forum?

-------------
usually sarah posting ...


26/5/2009 at 8:14pm
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: Daihatsu Gran Cargo Campervan
View glen_p's Profile View Profile   Reply to glen_p Reply   Quote glen_p Quote  
Joined: 29/1/2006

Platinum Member
Platinum Member

Forum Posts:   696

Site Reviews Total: 1
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

If you're moving around every day you'll probably be OK with an electric coolbox running only whilst driving. I used to have a large Camping Gaz one on the boat, and it only needed about 30 minutes, twice a day, to keep it cool (a couple of hours a day would be better). You do want to be careful not to leave the door open though, and try to only put cold things in.

If you don't move around you could add a leisure battery charged from a spilt-charge relay, but it won't run the coolbox for very long - 8 hours or so for an 85Ah battery.

The 3-way fridges won't get cold on 12v, it will only keep them cool if they've been brought down to temperature on gas or mains.

Glen



26/5/2009 at 8:33pm
 Location: North West
 Outfit: just got a Vango Illusion 800XL TC
View The Survivors's Profile View Profile   Reply to The Survivors Reply   Quote The Survivors Quote  
Joined: 24/8/2008

Gold Member
Gold Member

Forum Posts:   348
Tent Reviews:   1

Site Reviews Total: 1
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

We use an electric coolbox without (so far) electric hookup. It goes on charge when we are using the car and is kept topped up by ice packs on a daily basis (most camp sites have a freezer availoable for free or charge a minimal amount to hire frozen blocks). We have found this works well keeping milk etc cool. This year we have a new cool box to use, a Waeco one, that is thermostatically controlled rather than on all the time like a lot are, so it should be more economical and we will boost it at times when the car is not in use.

We looked at three way fridges but they were just too big for us to justify (we just use the car and roofbox and don't use a trailer).

Cheers




In order to post a reply you will need to register, or if already registered please log in here

Prev       Next
Quick Links - All Forums - Camping and Caravanning Equipment - Top of Page

Printer Friendly Version Printable version      Share   Post on X / Twitter  Share on Facebook  Email


Latest News, Discounts and Competitions  see all...














3180 Visitors online !

Free UKCampsite.co.uk Window Sticker  -  Recommend to Friend  -  Add a Missing Campsite

[Message Forums]  [Caravan Sites & Camping]  [Company Listings]  [Features / Advice]  [Virtual Brochure]  [Shop!]
[Reception]  [Competitions]  [Caravans & Motorhomes For Sale]  [Event Diary]  [Contact Us]  [Tent Reviews



Please note we are not responsible for the content of external sites & any reviews represent the author's personal view only. Please report any error here. You may view our privacy and cookie policy and terms and conditions here. All copyrights & other intellectual property rights in the design and content of this web site are reserved to the UKCampsite.co.uk © 1999 - 2024


Advertisement


Advertisement


UKCampsite.co.uk
2024 Advent Calendar


Advent Calendar

24 Daily Prizes PLUS a Christmas Day Star Prize worth £999

Request a Reminder