12V cool boxes

[stealthwolf]

Am after a cool box that I can plug into the 12v socket in the boot.

Has anyone bought one that they'd recommend (or perhaps avoid)?

[Degudodger]

Would be good to know as i'm in the market for one as well.

[vRS Carl]

I've got 2. Both are Mobicool. One is 32ltr which is good for a couple of 2ltr bottles and a picnic for a family. I also have a 48ltr  one which can take off the top of my head about 10 2ltr botlles or sh!t loads of cans, butties etc. Both are mains and 12v socket powered. So great for camping/road trips etc. Will dig out some links. 2 mins turkish.

Slightly newer designs/colours but same models. Do a search though as not sure if they are the best prices.

32 Ltr

http://www.worldofcamping.co.uk/waeco-mobicool-u32-ac-dc-thermoelectric-cool-box-2429

48 Ltr

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Waeco-Mobicool-Mains-camping-coolbox/dp/B001CODPFK

[stealthwolf]

Awesomeness. Do they cool things or would I need to pre-cool them? How noisy are they?

The 32 litre one sounds about the right size for a day out.

[vRS Carl]

Not very noisy at all. I can sleep in a tent with them next to me and I'm not a deep sleeper. You won't hear it in the boot whilst driving etc that's for sure. They are barely audible with the engine off.

They will cool stuff but don't expect it to be quick like a fridge if something is warm. I plug mine into the mains the night before and leave it running overnight whilst empty to cool properly. I then put the food & drinks in the next morning and stick 2 of those small freezer blocks inside as well. Everything then stays fridge cold all day.

To give an idea of how well the Mobicool ones work I've used both to store milk in whilst camping for at least a week (basically until it ran out in normal use) and it was fine all week on both occasions. When not running they will still keep stuff cool for a good 6-8hrs

[stealthwolf]

That sounds as good a recommendation as any. 

[damoegan]

We have one of the large Halfords ones and its superb 

Like Carl said, I can sleep in a tent with it only about 5ft away and its fine.

No need to pre cool anything. It gets cold enough to freeze a bottle cider after a few days 

We are away camping with it this weekend 

[vRS Carl]

I think the Halfrauds one's are made by Waeco who make the Mobicool.

We only pre-cool on initial pack up but to be honest it's probably not needed. I am fussy though 

[damoegan]

I didn't know that about the Halfrauds boxes, Carl 

You cant pre-cool when you run out of beer at the camp site and have to run out to the supermarket 

[vRS Carl]

I didn't know that about the Halfrauds boxes, Carl 

I'm not saying they definately are but i'm sure i read somewhere that they were made by the same company for Halfrauds.

[Eccie]

I've got one of these http://www.igloocoolers.com/All-Thermoelectric?

I got it from Costco a couple of years ago. Its been great, use it for camping, long hot days at the beach (anyone remember those?) hell even used it at a couple of parties - it can run off the car or 240V mains supply

[simonp]

I have a Halfords one and it works fine. They do a mains adapter for it, too, so you can get it going in the house before setting off.