Coolbox options

[sp3ctre]

Has anyone got any recommendations for decent coolboxes?

I am going on a trip for 2 days and it'd be useful to be able to keep some food and drinks cold. It's about a 4 hour drive and then 2 nights in a "budget hotel" (i.e. no fridge).

I am looking at something that will fit in the boot but not necessarily take up all the space, a few drinks, snacks, sandwiches etc.

I was presuming an electric option (with mains adapter) would be the best option, but am hearing mixed reports.

Any suggestions?

 

[bladeowner]

I bought a budget 12V electric coolbox last year. It draws about 4A current. The problem I see with them is that they only cool to about 15 deg C below ambient and so if the temp is 25 deg then the coolest it will go is 10deg. The insulation efficiency is about the same as my non electric one. If you pack a frozen 2L coke bottle in there plus some gel packs it'll probably keep coolish for at least 36hours or so on it's own. If the hotel room isn't too warm then the electric option should keep it down to 5 deg or so during the night. Sorry can't really comment on the more expensive coolboxes.

 

[sp3ctre]

Thanks Bladeowner, was looking at the Halfords one which seems to get reasonable reviews despite some questioning the build quality. It's only going to move from the car to the hotel though (no camping etc) so that shouldn't matter quite so much.

 

[cj10jeeper]

I purchased the Halfords one about 3 years ago to use on road trips in my Jeep.

On the plus side it gets things really cold and works more than well enough. Best to start with the items going in cold to maintain rather than expect it to cool a dozen beers from warm

Downside and it is a big downside is that when the car engine is off the current drain soon switches it off. Either in the protect battery mode on the cooler it would stop 10 minutes after the engine stopped as the voltage dropped to something like 12.5v. If you set it to manual it would run for several hours then drain the battery.

Option B was to switch off, but the inside soon warms up so it becomes useless.

If you plan to keep in in a car and have access to mains overnight or use it daytime only then fine, but otherwise not that much use.

 

[sp3ctre]

I purchased the Halfords one about 3 years ago to use on road trips in my Jeep.

On the plus side it gets things really cold and works more than well enough. Best to start with the items going in cold to maintain rather than expect it to cool a dozen beers from warm

Downside and it is a big downside is that when the car engine is off the current drain soon switches it off. Either in the protect battery mode on the cooler it would stop 10 minutes after the engine stopped as the voltage dropped to something like 12.5v. If you set it to manual it would run for several hours then drain the battery.

Option B was to switch off, but the inside soon warms up so it becomes useless.

If you plan to keep in in a car and have access to mains overnight or use it daytime only then fine, but otherwise not that much use.

Thanks, for this instance we'd be in the car all the way to the hotel, where I could plug it in... that said, I was hoping it'd be a bit more versatile so might have to re-think. Cheers for the mini-review

 

[WLH]

I have an Engel as below. Mine is about 10 years old and works great. Made in Germany I believe and is about $400 in the US. I have let it run off my battery for as long as 5 hours and still was able to start my car.

Engel 15 Qt. Portable Fridge-Freezer

The new Engel 16 Qt. Portable Fridge/Freezer (MD14F) replaces the older MRFD-015 model. It features a new quieter, more efficient and longer life compressor with a new taller lid. The lid has a convenient top opening access door and is an ideal, compact and portable freezing unit capable of freezing almost anything. This unit can be taken anywhere over your shoulder! - all you need is 12 Volt power. With a converter it can also run off household 110 Volt supply. As a refrigerator it can hold a steady interior temperature. They are great for people on the move - all you need is a 12 Volt power supply from your vehicles battery as it simply plugs into the accessory socket. Great for boaters, campers, medical personnel or for someone who needs to keep their medication refrigerated.
Specifications & Manuals
Back to Top

Model: MD14F
Amperage: AC-110V 0.7 amps, DC- 12V 3.0 amps
Variable Temperature Control
9' Detachable Power Lead
Upgraded stainless hinges
Max noise: 38 dB
Warranty: 2 Year

Engel Portable Fridge/Freezer - 15 Qt.
Freezing Ability From 45ºF to 0ºF
Includes shoulder strap
New more efficient compressor
Weight: 27 pounds
Inside Dimensions: 13.7" W x 7.5" D x 8" H
Outside Dimensions: 17.5" W x 11.25" D x 15.6" H

 

[bladeowner]

I have an Engel as below. Mine is about 10 years old and works great. Made in Germany I believe and is about $400 in the US. I have let it run off my battery for as long as 5 hours and still was able to start my car.

Engel 15 Qt. Portable Fridge-Freezer

The new Engel 16 Qt. Portable Fridge/Freezer (MD14F) replaces the older MRFD-015 model. It features a new quieter, more efficient and longer life compressor with a new taller lid. The lid has a convenient top opening access door and is an ideal, compact and portable freezing unit capable of freezing almost anything. This unit can be taken anywhere over your shoulder! - all you need is 12 Volt power. With a converter it can also run off household 110 Volt supply. As a refrigerator it can hold a steady interior temperature. They are great for people on the move - all you need is a 12 Volt power supply from your vehicles battery as it simply plugs into the accessory socket. Great for boaters, campers, medical personnel or for someone who needs to keep their medication refrigerated.
Specifications & Manuals
Back to Top

Model: MD14F
Amperage: AC-110V 0.7 amps, DC- 12V 3.0 amps
Variable Temperature Control
9' Detachable Power Lead
Upgraded stainless hinges
Max noise: 38 dB
Warranty: 2 Year

Engel Portable Fridge/Freezer - 15 Qt.
Freezing Ability From 45ºF to 0ºF
Includes shoulder strap
New more efficient compressor
Weight: 27 pounds
Inside Dimensions: 13.7" W x 7.5" D x 8" H
Outside Dimensions: 17.5" W x 11.25" D x 15.6" H

Looks like a quality piece of kit

 

[Chris_D]

Did a 55k gravel ride in the Veluwe with my good ladyfriend Laura today.
Took a coolbag with glycol chiller boards and kept a bidon with frozen water in it to act as a supplementary element.
Kept it in the boot during the ride and returned to a marginally cool and somewhat soggy selection of butties and sundries.
On a 28 degree C day it would have been nice to have had something ice cold to return to.
The Engel as mentioned above looks good but I’ve been seeing and reading about these ‘peltier’ or thermoelectric coolboxes. I used to have a peltier cooler on my cpu years ago for overclocking the cpu and remember it working pretty well!
Anyone have any experience with this sort of coolbox? Or other 12v normal coolerboxes in the meantime since this thread started years ago?

Meanwhile, the Saris Bones 3 held up well with 2 bikes today. Well, two mtb frames and a wheel :lol:

 

[Melman]

I can recommend the non-electric Coleman Xtreme Coolers. Pack with ice they go for days and are far better insulated. I’ve kept things ice cold in mine for 4 days - pricey but definitely worth it.

 

[SiJar]

I can strongly recommend the Halfords one which I have used twice and I also purchased a converter to plug it into the mains of my hotel room. I used it as a mini fridge for our milk for our morning cuppa and other drinks when we went to Snowdonia last year. It was brilliant and on day one we put a couple of frozen bottles of water in and after 1 week they were still frozen!

 

[Chris_D]

I can recommend the non-electric Coleman Xtreme Coolers. Pack with ice they go for days and are far better insulated. I’ve kept things ice cold in mine for 4 days - pricey but definitely worth it.

Bit big for the boot of the zed with bike wheels and gear vying for space etc.

I can strongly recommend the Halfords one which I have used twice and I also purchased a converter to plug it into the mains of my hotel room. I used it as a mini fridge for our milk for our morning cuppa and other drinks when we went to Snowdonia last year. It was brilliant and on day one we put a couple of frozen bottles of water in and after 1 week they were still frozen!

Read a lot of positive reviews but it seems all of these conventional and peltier coolerboxes can only manage 15 degrees below ambient.
I think I need to look at the best box/bag with the most efficient insulation and the longest lasting elements that I can pre-freeze.
Lots of kitchen scientists on youtube with various formulas and methods.
:lol:

 

[Melman]

Bit big for the boot of the zed with bike wheels and gear vying for space etc.

Sorry, that’s a fair point! I’ve yet to put mine in the Zed - Great to see the Saris Bones are working so well on your car though. Brilliant kit

 

[MrPT]

That Engel looks awesome! Personally I would also get a good passive coolbox if it’s only a couple days.

The peltier coolboxes are ok - seem to collect the bloody things in our household - but another option would be an absorption (gas) cooler. They are quite bulky, so only worth it if you need >30 litres of storage, but will cool to >20C below ambient and also run on 12V for car journeys.

Gets pretty cold for something powered by fire -

 

[Chris_D]

Bit big for the boot of the zed with bike wheels and gear vying for space etc.

Sorry, that’s a fair point! I’ve yet to put mine in the Zed - Great to see the Saris Bones are working so well on your car though. Brilliant kit

It IS a really well-designed bit of kit isn’t it!
Started putting wheels in the boot so as to reduce the weight/loading a bit and that’s instilled way more confidence going round bends and over bumps etc.

 

[Rucky]

Halfords 8L - just the job, we used it on a trip to Slovenia via Alps and Dolomites.
Dont leave it plugged in at night though.
I see they sell a mains adapter too now.
Enough for tins on the go.Also heats / warms for winter though not used that function yet.

 

[Melman]

It IS a really well-designed bit of kit isn’t it!
Started putting wheels in the boot so as to reduce the weight/loading a bit and that’s instilled way more confidence going round bends and over bumps etc.

I’m convinced it’s the best out there. I’ve driven across France with 3 bikes and no issue. Really stable and easier on the body work than anything else of its kind. I’ve been toying with fitting it to the Zed - I definitely will now!

I’ve just ordered one of these for inflatable paddleboards...hopefully it’s as good!

https://www.google.co.uk/amp/revo-rack.com/language/en/convertible-luggage-rack/z4-luggage-rack/%3famp

 

[Ole gits rule]

Mods - please feel free to delete if I am breaking any rules:

I am the official UK importer for -- https://vesna-france.fr/gamme-smart-glaciere-a-compresseur/#Smart-12L

Great product 12 or 220V built in - not the cheapest but better than Halfords, similar to Euro Engel and Dometic