Going camping - how to keep my beer cool?

quilkin

Standard Member
Joined
Nov 29, 2024
Messages
31
Reaction score
10
Points
14
Location
Truro, UK
Driving
MG5
I'm planning a camping trip with tent etc. I'd hoped to buy a simple 12V coolbox to plug into the car. But now find there's no 12V socket in the boot. I could buy an extension lead and plug it under the dash - but I assume that won't be powered while the car is switched off (e.g. overnight). So if I buy a coolbox with mains option, I can use the V2L cable to power it from mains when I'm parked up (I'll be using V2L for cooking and lighting my tent anyway). Seems a bit of a faff to have to keep moving it though - I'd rather just store the coolbox in the boot all the time. Suggestions? Thanks
 
I got an extension lead for mine that runs from the front, between the seats and through the gap in the split rear seat. Halfords I think.
 
I have recently bought a BougeRV CRPRO 20 L compressor fridge/freezer, capable of going down to -20 degrees if needed. The interesting point with this is that it has a compartment to take a battery which can be bought from them as a package so that it becomes a self contained unit. The fridge draws no more power than a peltier cool box, has normal or eco modes so only draws 36W in eco and 45W in normal, but unlike a peltier coolbox it is not continuous. It has built in battery protection with 3 preset thresholds. The battery which fits into a compartment in the top has an accessory socket output, a USB A output and a USB C dual direction port, and a built in torch. As well as the USB C port for charging the battery there is a DC power connector with cable supplied to charge from a car accessory socket, although this might need extending if your socket is at the front of the car. The battery supports simultaneous charge and discharge with a readouts for both. So it will power the fridge and charge when the car is powered up. The battery has a capacity of 277Wh or 15Ah. Mine came from BougeRV themselves, UK store, but Amazon also have them, so there might be a better deal at one or the other at the moment.
The only drawbacks are price compared to a coolbox if bought as a package with battery, and in my MG4 when it is installed in the boot it tended to block out radio (dab/fm) reception. I have found however that if its covered with several aluminium lined normal cool bags this screens it enough to make reception almost normal except in the weakest areas.
 
The 12v plug lead on ours is long enough to reach from the front socket to the boot so may be worth checking before you buy an extension lead. Also check to see if you can run it off a power bank such as your 12v battery booster if you have one.
 
Last edited:
So if I buy a coolbox with mains option, I can use the V2L cable to power it from mains when I'm parked up (I'll be using V2L for cooking and lighting my tent anyway). Seems a bit of a faff to have to keep moving it though - I'd rather just store the coolbox in the boot all the time. Suggestions? Thanks
If V2L is active, the DC/DC (14V) is also operational even when the car is switched off, therefore a 12V extension into the boot seems the easiest solution?

Just bear in mind that if the V2L stops for any reason in the middle of the night, you may end up with a flat 12V aux in the morning. Bring a battery starter with you just in case…
 
Last edited:
I'm planning a camping trip with tent etc. I'd hoped to buy a simple 12V coolbox to plug into the car. But now find there's no 12V socket in the boot. I could buy an extension lead and plug it under the dash - but I assume that won't be powered while the car is switched off (e.g. overnight). So if I buy a coolbox with mains option, I can use the V2L cable to power it from mains when I'm parked up (I'll be using V2L for cooking and lighting my tent anyway). Seems a bit of a faff to have to keep moving it though - I'd rather just store the coolbox in the boot all the time. Suggestions? Thanks
I'd get and extension for so you can keep in cool on the road but switch to V2L once you are there. The car is quite good at looking after itself when using V2L but I'm not so sure that it will handle the 12v so well when parked up.
 
Support us by becoming a Premium Member

Latest MG EVs video

MG ZS EV Retrospective & First Look at the MGS5 EV | Live Q&A with Owners & MGEVs Panel
Subscribe to our YouTube channel
Back
Top Bottom