12V freezer just for cold blocks - any ideas?

[Driver+Passengers]

I think what we would like is a small 12V freezer, just for blue blocks - we've got a variety of insulated bags, etc... and don't necessarily want to have to fit a full cool-box in wherever we go. It would be enough to take half a dozen cold blocks with us, prime them in the freezer and then transfer them to a box/bag in the shade somewhere.

So if it has to be a freezer - "18 below ambient" might not do...

Any recommendations, ideas?

[helen&tony]

Hi Matt....
Not too sure what you're looking for, whether it's a few day jobbie, or longer.
I've just bought a 3-way cooler off Amazon...Dometic Waeco Combicool RC2200....it says it can freeze when running on gas???...I haven't used it yet, but at temperatures below , or just a bit above 30C it should be great...It has a small ice tray, so it might suit...BUT, it will only be O.K. on 12 volt when the engine's running...alternatively, it will run on 240V.
Cheers
Helen

[francophile1947]

I've never heard of a small 12v freezer. My Waeco 12v compressor fridge has a small freezer compartment, but it's too small to hold 6 ice packs - more like 2-3.

[Alison01326]

I think what you are looking for will be hideously expensive.

Our hideously expensive Waeco CDF-25 will freeze blue blocks and keep them frozen, but even the smallest capacity Waeco CDF, the 11 litre version, will set you back over £250.

Back in the old days when we didn't have luxuries (and slept in a cardboard box and dug a hole for the toilet, and slept in the hole when the cardboard box fell apart ......... ) we invariably ended up on campsites which had a freezer where you could freeze your blue blocks. Some had an exchange system (not good), some charged a fee (not ideal but cheaper than buying a freezer), and some just relied entirely on trust (hence all our blue blocks have our name on them in permanent marker).

Camping & Caravanning Club sites even have a symbol in their book (being FF) to show which sites allow you to re-freeze your blue blocks.

[blobber]

I have on occassions, taken a box of dry ice with spare cool packs in. That keeps them well below amdient

[mikexgough]

My CF-18 Waeco freezes Cider at half setting.... 12v compressor fridge...not cheap but worth it.... easy 4 days + on a 110 ah mixed with TV/lights too on the 'van

[Driver+Passengers]

Thanks, folks. I guess I'm not really sure what I'm after... Good to have a few more ideas, though.

M

[weebrian]

Don't know if it's feasible or not but have you considered building your own cooler using peltier plates?
It may well be that to cool enough would mean a very heavy current draw but haven't really investigated it myself.

I have no doubt that someone on the forum could point you in the right direction if it's possible.

[Driver+Passengers]

Yes, it crossed my mind, but I haven't looked into it.... yet! Thanks for the idea.

[New Forest Terrier]

Is there any chance of finding a second hand Waco? Mine came with a second hand conversion and has a very effective freezer compartment. These must be being stripped out of scrap campers. Ebay worth setting up a search for one?

My Lidl coolbox would freeze everything after a couple of days operation, plug it into the mains for two days before loading it into the Bongo and that would keep frozen items frozen. Never tried refreezing freezer blocks though but it did a great job on anything else.

[Driver+Passengers]

Sod-it! Just back from Aldi.

Will prime it at home on the mains and go from there. Already thinking of opening up the lid and putting a bigger heatsink on it.

Perhaps time for a split charge relay, though...