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Topic: Quick coolbox recommendations please

HighSlayer

30/8/2017 at 1:14pm
Location: Durham
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Hi all - I have a Dometic RC1700 fridge which is fantastic but huge, heavy and bulky

I'm looking for an electric coolbox at around 30 litres (40 is too big, 24 very slightly too small) for solo and short camping. Hoping to order it today as I want to go away this weekend again.

I do have a campingaz 24L 12v which I won in the Xmas competition here (thanks guys!) and this week bought a 230v adapter for it and unwrapped it. Unfortunately it is way too noisy for me - I'm an extremely light sleeper. It has a great spec though and goes to 20 degrees below ambient.

So - looking for a cooler now. Had a look at the one tesco reduced but its way too big. Tried the Aldi one a few months ago but it sounded like an airplane - even louder than the campgaz

Pretty much got it down to either the Waeco Mobicool U32 or the Outwell Eco. The Outwell is a nice looking bit of kit but very expensive at £100

Does anyone have any experience of either of these and how loud, effective etc they are?

Thanks

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A slightly younger Victor Meldrew

Opensauce

30/8/2017 at 6:03pm
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Both the coolboxes you mention are peltier types same as the other ones you have tried so will be just as noisy in the still of the night.

HighSlayer

30/8/2017 at 6:49pm
Location: Durham
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The old budweiser one was a peltier too and was nowhere near as noisy.

Surely if they claim 36dB it should be 36dB not 65dB?

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A slightly younger Victor Meldrew

Opensauce

30/8/2017 at 7:12pm
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As soon as the fans get a bit of dust & deris in them they become noisier. If you are a light sleeper any sort of hum will be intrusive. A noise that can barely be heard in daytime becomes very lound in the middle of the night. This is the failing of all peltier cool boxes & compressor fridges. The only silent fridges are the absorption type that you already have. Another alternative for short trips would be good quality passive coolbox & plenty of ice.

Grandsons

30/8/2017 at 7:29pm
Location: Boston
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Campingaz do a 28 litre model 12/240v which has eco, normal and night time modes. The night mode does reduce the noise to a gentle hum which isn't too intrusive.

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Lynn

HighSlayer

30/8/2017 at 8:34pm
Location: Durham
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Quote: Originally posted by Opensauce on 30/8/2017
As soon as the fans get a bit of dust & deris in them they become noisier. If you are a light sleeper any sort of hum will be intrusive. A noise that can barely be heard in daytime becomes very lound in the middle of the night. This is the failing of all peltier cool boxes & compressor fridges. The only silent fridges are the absorption type that you already have. Another alternative for short trips would be good quality passive coolbox & plenty of ice.

The campingaz and aldi ones were brand new and sounded like aircraft. The budweiser one was 11 years old and very quiet, didnt disturb me at night at all (though was in the porch/awning etc)

I'm asking really if anyone has either of the ones I mentioned in the OP and how noisy they are. I do appreciate there will be some noise but my experience seems to show a massive difference between models.

Passive isnt really an option for me, needs to be an electrical one.

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A slightly younger Victor Meldrew

HighSlayer

30/8/2017 at 8:35pm
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Quote: Originally posted by Grandsons on 30/8/2017
Campingaz do a 28 litre model 12/240v which has eco, normal and night time modes. The night mode does reduce the noise to a gentle hum which isn't too intrusive.

Thanks Lyn - my campingaz doesnt have any adjustment on it but both the EcoCool and the Mobicool also have adjustable fans.

That might help, depending on temperature and of course whether I remember to turn it back up in the mornings lol!!!

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A slightly younger Victor Meldrew

Mummymills

30/8/2017 at 9:30pm
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We have the 35l Outwell eco cool. It is noisy when on full, but at bedtime we switch it to eco mode & it's much quieter. Not silent though, so not sure if it would still annoy you. What about a non-electric coolbox that runs off ice packs?

romany girl

31/8/2017 at 2:06am
Location: Derbyshire
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We have just bought a Mobicool from Norfolk Marine in Wroxham after our onboad fridge packed up whilst on site. Its the 12v/ 240v one with no need for a separate adapter. It chills down very well and is fairly quiet running. The downside is the amount of condensation that collects inside it and forms a big puddle in the bottom of it and resuling in foodstuffs needing to be sealed up in freezer bags to keep dry. We were lucky enough to get it at a much reduced price in the end of season sale.

Thankfully the dometic fridge is now repaired and working well, and the Mobicool will just be used to chill drinks in future.

Post last edited on 31/08/2017 02:12:09

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Just love to be out amoungst Nature and Wildlife

Celebrating 37 years of Caravanning in 2019, Recently Considered Retiring, but Totally Addicted for Life!

madasaman

31/8/2017 at 8:31am
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we have a Waeco coolfun SC30 29 Ltr, works very well and has Eco mode for the night. Obviously the fan still makes a noise but OK for the wife to sleep, and she can hear a fly sneeze at 400 yds. Seen it for sale near us for £75

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73 going on 25
Beauty is in the eye of the beerholder

HighSlayer

31/8/2017 at 1:11pm
Location: Durham
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Thanks for the suggestions guys. I have ordered the mobicool U32 - the latest model with the USB charging port. It should be here tomorrow

I've also booked myself a cheeky last minute 2 nighter on a local site for a solo camp. That should give me a chance to check it all out as I'll take the smaller tent.

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A slightly younger Victor Meldrew

Jazzij

31/8/2017 at 5:43pm
Location: North West
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I just turn mine off at night. Ambient temp is usually quite cool by then and it won't be opened until morning. seems to work OK.

HighSlayer

31/8/2017 at 6:19pm
Location: Durham
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Quote: Originally posted by Jazzij on 31/8/2017
I just turn mine off at night. Ambient temp is usually quite cool by then and it won't be opened until morning. seems to work OK.

Night time temperatures are still around the 12-13 degrees which is way over the safety zone and of course in the summer are often 19-20 degrees.

All fine for beer, cheese, bread etc but not for meat, milk and so on.

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A slightly younger Victor Meldrew

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