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I don't quite understand what the salesman means there..?!?..

There wouldn't be a problem with the incoming hookup supply,time wise(..'vans & MHs are supplied 24/7)...unless he meant that that particular coolbox only needs charging up and not constantly run on mains?..other than that,I've no idea...

sorry...not much help really

I'm sure someone will be along soon....

There are two types of coolbox that we have tried, the first one was the type that either cooled or warmed the air going into the box at the flick of a switch, and could be run on 12v or mains via a Coleman transformer from 240v down to 12v. the result was a max cooling of 30oC below ambient tempreture on cool setting, and enough warmth to keep your takeawy warm on the way home when on the 'heat' setting, but in no way powerful enough to cook or reheat anything. the disadvantage of this type of box is the often noisy fan than runs constantly to cool the interior. The Box plus transformer will cost around £100 new for a decent capacity box large enough to take the family's cold drinks and provisions, although most are too shallow to take a 2ltr coke bottle.

The second type are portable three way fridges similar to those found in caravans and motorhomes, but fitted with handles to make them easier to move around, We have a Waeco version of one of these types, and on its coldest setting it will freeze water for icecubes or leave you with ice in your milk by morning! They are silent running, sturdy, and reliable, although somewhat heavier to handle and more expensive at around the same price as you would pay for a new domestic fridge. The chest model we have doesnt require any transformer, and can be used at home as a spare fridge 24/7/365, which indeed since giving up tent camping and buying our caravan ours does now, unless were planning a big family camp with our grown up daughters,when its a really useful piece of kit to have in the awning.

Julia

I'd recommend a 3-way fridge too. As Julia says, they are silent running, and you can make ice cubes in them.

When we have a long journey to the camp site, we connect the fridge to mains in the house the night before we set off so that it pre-cools. We connect to 12v in the car to keep everything cool on the journey, then use it on EHU or gas when we get to the camp site.

Another advantage with a 3-way fridge is that you're not tied down to sites which have EHU - you can run it on gas too

Quote: Originally posted by issym on 29/12/2009

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We have a 3 way fridge, have found it excellent. There is a small bar running the length of the fridge for making ice cubes, but aws yet we have not found anything small enough to make them in. The ledge is only about 1.5" wide. Anysuggestions please?

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Ours came with a long, thin metal ice-cube tray & it really does work. However, if you buy a metal one as a 'spare part' for your model of fridge, it would probably cost you a fortune. I'd suggest that you buy a cheap polythene type & cut it down to fit on the little shelf. It's worth a try. 

As previously stated, our Waeco will freeze stuff in the main fridge area and keep frozen foods frozen for a couple of days when set on its coldest setting, so we tend to buy those icecube bags from the local supermarket, fill them with bottled water  and freeze them ovenight when we want them.

 As with any fridge, its alway best to situate them out of direct sunlight and in a cool area of the tent or caravan to achieve the best possible results. Over Christmas we have managed to keep a couple of large tubs of icecream frozen in ours by putting it out into the unheated garage on 240v coldest setting.

Julia   

Quote: Originally posted by lms0110 on 30/12/2009

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thanx everyone for the replies & advice - as we intend to start camping in the next few years in France maybe the 3 way fridge is the way to go

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