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Subject Topic: Ice Packs in an electric cool box Post Reply Post New Topic
Person123AC321
via mobile 06/9/2020 at 10:11am
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Hi All,

Newbie to camping and going for our first 3-day trip in a week or so.

We’ve bought a thermoelectric cool box to store our food/drinks in.

Our thought process behind buying this as opposed to a normal cool box was that we could power the cool box at home the night prior to leaving and on the way to the campsite in the car, and then use ice packs/frozen bottles of water whilst we are there as the site doesn’t have electricity. The aim being that it would keep things cooler for longer than a standard cool box as we are able to power it until we get to the site.

The one thing concerning me now is having read the instructions it advises not to put ice in the cool box and I’ve read mixed things online, some advising ice packs will break it and some people saying ice packs work well within an electric cool box.

I just wondered if anyone has any advice, experience, guidance they might be able to share... are we able to store ice packs/frozen bottles of water in the cool box whilst the electrics are running, can we only put ice packs in when the electrics are off to avoid it breaking, or are ice packs simply not able to be used at all within an electric cool box?

Thanks in advance


Personmarg6
06/9/2020 at 10:17am
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never had any issues when using in ours, but then again i tended to just freeze 2 liter bottles of water, and 1 pt bottles of milk along with pre cooked meals also frozen,

just a warning tho, only use it on electric if you have ehu, dont expect to run it on 12v in the tent for more than an hr or you will just flatten the battery esp in your car if its not running


Personseanfdh
06/9/2020 at 10:20am
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We've used ice packs with ours without any problems.

-------------
Sean


Personladyowl1960
via mobile 06/9/2020 at 11:19am
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No probs here either using ice packs and few small frozen bottles of water. Also some sites have a freezer for campers not having ehu which can be so useful.


PersonMrDasherD
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Never had a problem and always use ice blocks or frozen bottles of water in ours.


-------------
Mart
(°\=/°)


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Persondk168
06/9/2020 at 3:57pm
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When camping at temperatures over 24 degC, my thermo-electric cool boxes struggled to keep their contents at or below 8 degC.

I had used frozen ice blocks to help with keeping the temperature down in those days.

The issue I had was localised freezing of salad leaves when they were in contact with the ice blocks.

However, this also happened when I placed them too close to the cold air inlet on the lid near the top of the cool box.

DK






-------------
* Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest And Play! *
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Personbobmel
06/9/2020 at 9:27pm
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Been using ice packs since the 70s never had an issue.

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Robert (BoB)


PersonPhishing
06/9/2020 at 10:55pm
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There is no reason not to use the box with ice packs.
Have a look at this site it gives good advice.
https://www.millets.co.uk/blog/keep-it-cool-the-guide


PersonMitchamitri
07/9/2020 at 8:46am
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If its a powered electrical petier type coolbox you shouldnt really use ice in its basic state......many do, however, and dont have any problems. I note the Millets link doesnt say run your powered coolbox with ice in it - it says use ice if you are using it passively (ie not switched on).

From experience using ice blocks etc hasnt really given any benefit once the device is up and running - it's not technically making the peltier plate any more effective - ie you arent helping the device work, you are just keeping the box cold. Making the cold peltier plate colder doesnt help it technically function as it relies only on the differential with the hot side - to make it more effective you actually need to cool the hot side not the cold side.   

Ice blocks / frozen bottles create too much condensation for my liking anyway.    

To be honest for short trips we much prefer our passive Coleman xtreme - doesnt need an ehu and doesnt hum all night long.


https://www.arkportablepower.com/blogs/news/17637696-portable-12v-thermoelectric-coolers-pros-and-cons


Post last edited on 07/09/2020 09:19:54

Post last edited on 07/09/2020 09:22:02


PersonBramston
07/9/2020 at 12:11pm
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Once your electric coolbox is unplugged it becomes a coolbox and depends on the quality of the insulation, the amount of ice packs/frozen water bottles used and the number of times you open it (and leave it open) for access.
The manufacturers don't want you putting in ice cubes or blocks of ice which will melt and give you an inch or 2 of free water sloshing around in the bottom of your cool box and possibly getting into food and the electrics.
In summer frozen food will thaw in the first day, your coolbox will now act as a fridge.
Once the temperature of food in the coolbox rises above +5C your coolbox is now just a box and you need to eat the food before food spoilage and food poisoning moulds and bacteria start to grow. At this point in your camp you'll be buyng chilled/frozen food daily or moving over to having more dried, canned and UHT food products in your diet.
Keep the inside of your coolbox clean and free of "gone off" products and you can still use it for food bought and eaten daily. If it's hot over night you'll need UHT milk for breakfast.

-------------
Enjoy the liveliness of the syntax.


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Persondk168
07/9/2020 at 1:46pm
 Location: Devizes Wiltshire
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Better thermo-electric cool boxes with temperature differentials greater than 16-18 degC do exist, however, they are more expensive for obvious reasons.

TropiCool TC-35 was the one I was considering to upgrade to as it is able to cool 30 degC below the ambient temperature. I even bought a bigger car to accommodate it!

However, I am changing unit to a custom-converted campervan with its own fridge freezer, so I don't need one anymore (I have got rid of the car too as I shan't be towing a trailer anymore).

If money is no object, then have a look at Dometic CFX range of compressor fridge or freezer.

DK

-------------
* Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest And Play! *
- 2025 - inc. FR & DE
- 2024 - 10/56 inc. FR & NL
- 2023 - 48 inc. FR
- 2022 - 49
- 2021 - 34
* Ex-tenter & solo female camper *
* Treat life events like a dog: If you can't eat it, play with it, or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away! *


PersonMonty15
07/9/2020 at 5:24pm
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Used them in two different boxes over many years and never had a problem, and can't really see why there should be a problem. The ice blocks are never likely to chill the box below it's normal operating range anyway.

I use the electric cooling really only as a way of extending the life of the ice blocks, it's barely effective enough on it's own to be much worth.



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