Poormans ARB Fridge....how would you keep it cold?

[aslostasyou]

So I can't afford an ARB fridge right now and I've been using an Igloo Electric cooler for some time now with good results.

My only two main complaints are that it draws a bit much on the power side and it does not have good insulation. Aside from that it does a good job and has not let us down yet even in FL.

I was thinking this weekend about how I could insulate it a littler better like the ARB bag. If it stayed cooler I'm thinking the thing might not run as hard drawing as much power. Any suggestions on what materials I might get a hold of to make a sort of blanket case for it?

I do not know the first thing about thermo-technics so I won't even pretend...

Thanks..

, J

 

[davegonz]

Reflectix

Try Reflectix...it's cheap and available at Home Depot.

http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs...linktype=brand&storeId=10051&ddkey=THDSiteMap

 

[4RunAmok]

The problem with thermo-electric coolers is not the insulation, nor how cold the items are when you put them in.

The Peltier cooling system is, for simplicity sake, an "offset" cooling method. The inside plate of the Peltier will only chill about 40 degrees cooler from the outside plate, you could get more, but it'll take more amps, and a much bigger Peltier.

So, if it's 90 inside your truck, the inside peltier will only circulate 50 degree air around the inside. Mind you, that's quite a difference, but not enough for critical food. Good enough for sodas and water and meltables, but not steaks and eggs, etc...

 

[BiG BoB]

I'm not familiar with the cooler you have, but no matter how much insulation it has, it wont reduce current draw unless it has some sort of thermostat. Most that I've seen just run non stop...

Get a decent esky/ice box and put dry ice in it. Should stay plenty cold for a while, and nothing will get wet

Sean

 

[RoundOut]

The problem with thermo-electric coolers is not the insulation, nor how cold the items are when you put them in.

The Peltier cooling system is, for simplicity sake, an "offset" cooling method. The inside plate of the Peltier will only chill about 40 degrees cooler from the outside plate, you could get more, but it'll take more amps, and a much bigger Peltier.

So, if it's 90 inside your truck, the inside peltier will only circulate 50 degree air around the inside. Mind you, that's quite a difference, but not enough for critical food. Good enough for sodas and water and meltables, but not steaks and eggs, etc...

I regularly freeze Litre-size bottles of water and use them in my Coleman fridge. When my fridge is full and inside the cab, the inside temp can be near freezing with a couple of large frozen bottles in there. If I had my fridge in the bed of the truck on a hot day, say 90*F, would the Peltier cooling system still help, or would it be effectively heating the inside to 50*. In other words, would it be best plugged in or left unplugged?

.

 

[Scott Brady]

Other than a real compressor fridge, I would recommend a high-quality cooler and use ice.

Tat, from Off-Road Trail Tools showed me one of these the other day. Wrap that around a 5-day cooler, and I bet the results are impressive.

Cooler Covers

Another option is the new Engel ice boxes, which put a 5-day cooler to shame

 

[SAR_Squid79]

Another option is the new Engel ice boxes, which put a 5-day cooler to shame

JEEZ!!

...If you were going to spend $600 - $800 on a cooler, why wouldn't you just buy a fridge!?!?!?

 

[Spikepretorius]

Holy macarena that's expensive.
Here in Safrica we pay in the region of a Grand for one of those boxes.
Somewhere along the way the exchange rate got seriously mixed up with those cooler boxes.
They are very good though.

 

[davegonz]

Other than a real compressor fridge, I would recommend a high-quality cooler and use ice.

Tat, from Off-Road Trail Tools showed me one of these the other day. Wrap that around a 5-day cooler, and I bet the results are impressive.

Cooler Covers

Good find on those covers. They look to be made out of Reflectix type of material. I wonder if I can find one to fit my 60L Norcold. Good alternative to buying the expensive Engle fridge covers (with some minor modifications).

 

[JIMBO]

:archaeolo I got the SKU 5412 cover from "Off Road Trail Tools" and modified it for my ENGEL MR040F vents, for travel on the front of my trailer and, of course stationary use

I keep it on the cooler here at home (garage) and the cooling cycle has cut to about 1/2 as often, as it was before the cover installl

They're $39.50 +shipping, a lot cheaper than the $125 bucks from ENGEL

:gunt: :gunt: JIMBO

 

[aslostasyou]

Good suggestions! Thanks guys. I guess I'll just deal with the Igloo until I have enough $$$ for the ARB. No sense in chasing bad money with good. I like the idea of the frozen two liters, that might help a bit.

, J

 

[4RunAmok]

I regularly freeze Litre-size bottles of water and use them in my Coleman fridge. When my fridge is full and inside the cab, the inside temp can be near freezing with a couple of large frozen bottles in there. If I had my fridge in the bed of the truck on a hot day, say 90*F, would the Peltier cooling system still help, or would it be effectively heating the inside to 50*. In other words, would it be best plugged in or left unplugged?

.

I forget the actual reason, not sure if I ever knew, but read your thermoelectric owners manual, and you will find they specifically say do not use Ice, Dry Ice, or place frozen items inside the cooler while in use. Electrical hazard? Over-work the Peltier? Don't know.

But, yes, as my understanding of how the Peltier works, you're essentially warming up your frozen bottles. Which is probably why they are not still ice by the time your trip is over.