Halfords cooler box

FR85

We bought the above, 40l version for our van and when using it on the 12v cigarette lighter socket the plug and socket get roasting hot to the touch.

I've cleaned all surfaces and it still appears to be the same.

Surely they were made to do this, what are we missing? We always plug it into the mains for a day to get it cool and it's just to maintain that cool when on the move is what we are after.

Any recommendations on changing the plugs for a different type for this purpose?

Alkers

What is the wiring between your leisure battery and the socket like?

FR85

It's actually off 12v sockets coming from the van itself, the one at the ashtray and then there is another wired in using heavy domestic mains cable about a third of the way down the van.

All the leisure battery is doing is lights, water pump and a diesel heater.

Mefistofelino

Do you have anything else with a reasonable load (eg tyre air compressor) that you can plug in to see if that suffers the same problem. If yes, the problem is probably internal to the van socket, if not then its on the Halfords side.

The Halfords coolbox draws around 40-50W which should be well within the capacity of a proper 12 v socket. I wonder if there is an issue with the connection between the cable and terminals inside the Halfords plug itself?

FR85

I've a 300w (600w peak) inverter that I've used just for a laptop with zero problems, the laptop wouldn't be pulling that much but point taken on the Halfords plug. My dad has a similar box but by a different company and his is the same to the point he won't use it. Google has turned up very little. I'm going to explore it a bit more.

Damien360

I use one of those Halfords cool boxes during the summer in my car off the 12V socket to keep water cool on a long drive. It's 40L also. Maximum is 3 hours usually. The socket never gets too hot at all. You can get a 3 pin connector for that same box. Something wrong with the box or your socket.

Those sockets tend to heat up a lot even on moderate loads. I have a tyre Inflater that fairly cooks the cigarette lighter plug. We used to have one of those cool boxes but ours was thermostatically controlled which meant it cycled on and off fairly regularly - but it didn't heat the plug up much. Even a small bit of corrosion or surface dirt on the surface will introduce considerable resistance which is the source of the heating - and those plugs have very little surface area contact which amplified the issue. I can guarantee that Halfords absolutely cheaped out on the quality of the plug since a decent one sell for around €7.00, these plugs were never intended for this type of function - they are a disaster.

Replace the lighter plug as a first step to see if it solves the issue. If not replace with a more durable plug and socket such as a Anderson XT60, we used these for our plug in solar panel without issue. I also used XT60 for my bike battery which can draw 250w without issue.

dory

I learned recently that these yokes have a Keep Hot function as well. Have the 240W converter for it, so plugged it in in the caravan overnight. Pressed the wrong button and woke up to all my food heated up. Very annoying!

FR85

I have it set to max everything so far has been nice and chilled except the plug!

NNot Had time to investigate, leaking thermostat housing on the van has taken priority and a DOE at the end of next month. Joys or moto.....actually.....joys of camping!

The Ging and I

I am using these cool boxes for years in the south of France and Spain . I have 2 x leisure batteries independent of the van battery. I can run these cool boxes for days BUT they are giving off heat as a by product into an already hot van so not ideal. What I do to help them is put in two 1.5 l bottles which I have previously frozen in the fridge. That stops them flogging them selves to death in 35c.

I have just bought a compresser cool box which cost a LOT , use less energy and dont have condensation and I dont need to put frozen water bottles in. So more chilled beer :-)

FR85

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122637178#Comment_122637178

And do you run these off the 12v cigarette plug? If so do you notice excessive heat on the plug?

Was Speaking to my dad, he's got a 2 year camper and another version of my cooler and he too says the plug gets stupidly hot in his.

The Ging and I

No , I have Hella sockets in the back of the van and I have replaced the fused cigarette plug with a hella plug.

FR85

Many thanks, they're on the list!