Coolbox

[sotal]

Having visited the Bongo today, I was having a look at a few bits. The Bongo does have a charger so when on hookup the LB should be being charged.

The Coolbox is a Thermoelectric type. It says it is a peltier cooling system. I take it these are the least efficient?

When on hookup would the fact that the Bongo has a charger stop the coolbox from draining the LB? Or would I still be better to buy one of the adapters that gives a 12v socket from a 240v supply?

Will this type be good enough to keep some milk, yoghurts, bacon and sausages cool for a few days?

[g8dhe]

Depends on the rating of the charger, provided it can do more than 4Amps continuous then it will work, just! However it really needs to be rated at 8Amps or greater to be certain, however ony extended period of parking without EHU is going to be a problem!

[sotal]

True,

How long do you reckon things would stay cool if left unplugged?

I'm guessing the best course of action would be to have it on mains through an adapter (or through the charger if big enough), then when we leave the site, switch it over to 12v from the LB. All should be good whilst driving. When we park up - leave it connected to the LB. This should give 3 hours or so of usage before the LB gets low, then a couple more hours staying cool from the insulation keeping the contents cool. Then when we start up it should charge the LB back up again and run the coolbox. Then finally when we get back the EHU will charge the battery and run the coolbox.

I reckon that should give us at least 5 hours - what do you think?

[sotal]

True,

How long do you reckon things would stay cool if left unplugged?

I'm guessing the best course of action would be to have it on mains through an adapter (or through the charger if big enough), then when we leave the site, switch it over to 12v from the LB. All should be good whilst driving. When we park up - leave it connected to the LB. This should give 3 hours or so of usage before the LB gets low, then a couple more hours staying cool from the insulation keeping the contents cool. Then when we start up it should charge the LB back up again and run the coolbox. Then finally when we get back the EHU will charge the battery and run the coolbox.

I reckon that should give us at least 5 hours - what do you think?

We now have the Bongo!

The coolbox is rated as 12v 48W - so if my memory is correct p=v*i so it uses 4amps continuous.

The Charger is a Supercharge 151. The details are as follows:

Supercharge 150w Electronic Charger / Power Supply
Input: 220-240v 1.6A
Output: 13.8v DC 11.2A

So I take it that will be fine to keep the battery from going flat whilst leaving the coolbox plugged in to 12v? and I don't need to get a power supply for use in the Bongo?

[g8dhe]

It's a vary BAD idea to keep on running the LB flat!! It won't last very long at all, which is one of the reasons people have problems. If you really must use a coolboxes rather than a fridge consider putting it on its own Voltage Sensitive Relay from the alternator, that way it will cool whilst driving, and switch off when static.

[the1andonly]

It's a vary BAD idea to keep on running the LB flat!! It won't last very long at all, which is one of the reasons people have problems. If you really must use a coolboxes rather than a fridge consider putting it on its own Voltage Sensitive Relay from the alternator, that way it will cool whilst driving, and switch off when static.

Having destroyed an LB by leaving coolbox on overnight twice over 2 weeks (100w solar charger by day) not even enough volts to use the solar charger.
I advise "listen to Geoff"
Control of discharging the LB is important to not destroying it.
If it is left on LB set a timer, buzzer, audible warning to turn it off after 2 hours.
Chill on mains before use for a min of 24 hrs
Use freezer packs when available.
Having used a "coolbox" for 2 years the sensible fairy (and a good deal) forced us to by a fridge.

be careful and with the right controls you can use a coolbox but buy a fridge before you fry two batteries.

[sotal]

Thanks, I've had the coolbox in the house cooling down plugged into a spare battery seems to have worked for a good few hours without stopping. I've also put a couple of ice packs in it.

Will try it out in the Bongo.

The LB is about 100Ah - I thought you should try not to go past 75%. So that should give 75Ah, so drawing 4amps - That should give 18hours use shouldn't it?

[g8dhe]

50% is a better figure than 75 for a LB.

[Diplomat]

The best thermoelectric coolboxes (if 'thermoelectric' and 'best' can be uttered in the same breath) are those with the best insulation around the box and which have the Peltier module in the lid. Once cooled by having well chilled contents and preferably pre-cooled before setting out, they should only need running occasionally when the engine is off. Some of them can be bloomin' noisy, too, once fan rattle sets in.

Owning one is a rite of passage, we all seem to fall for it once though forums like this must forewarn a few. I've sometimes been tempted to warn browsers in camping stores to move along to the proper fridges but it's not my business and the shop owner won't thank me for losing an intermediate sale.

I have had several coolboxes/fridges and by far the best insulated have been the passive ones. It seems as though the manufacturers take the view that if it's going to be powered, why bother with decent insulation. It's not their problem where the electricity has to come from. So many things in this world are designed to be sold more than to be used.

What does need to be designed and sold is a low voltage (say 11.5v) cutout for leisure batteries which sheds high current loads first and can only be reset by charging.


Frank

[sotal]

The coolbox came 'free' with the Bongo.

We've just spent a night away and it did the job nicely. The peltier module is in the lid of the box.

We put ice packs in, and had the coolbox running all the way down there. When we got there I forgot to switch it off and we went out for about 3 hours. When I returned I unplugged it - we then left it unplugged all night and plugged it back in again in the morning - everything seemed cold enough so quite pleased at that. Could just do with a switch to make it easier to turn it on and off, rather than having to reach into the back of the cupboard under the sink and pull it in and out.