We have recently purchased the Aldi electric coolbox and intend to power it off the car. Has anyone done this for an extended period? Is it going to drain the car battery?
only if you don't want to go anywhere, on the move is fine, engine off, no, theres not enough power.
I tried it in my early days of camping with a spare car battery I had, it lasted overnight, that was it,
There would not have been enough power in the battery by the middle of the night to start a car, the minifridge (same type of thing as a leccy coolbox) sucked every last drop of power.
Quote: Originally posted by geocachers on 18/6/2013
Aw, go on, spill!
Last day at Center Parcs. Had some food left over so decided to leave it in the 12v coolbox, plugged in, whilst we had the morning in the pool. Got back mid aft, car wouldn't even open on the remote. New Passat, battery fine. Had to wait for the RAC to jump start me. You only do that the once
As Gary of Cross Camping says, you need EHU on the site, then either plug the box in to your EHU if it has a 230V option, or via a mains to 12V socket adapter if it is 12V only. Either way, you can cool the box at home prior to setting off. With ice packs and not frequent opening, you might get a day or so on site without any power that way.
And as Tim says, even a leisure battery will drain right off.
------------- Mike
My advice is worth no more than the price paid for it
Brickiedad once "forgot" our EHU cable so we plugged the coolbox into the car. Predictably enough the battery was flat in the morning do muggins here had to crawl in through the boot lol.
------------- April- rosetta 3 nights
May - walled garden 3 nights
June- ??
July- monkey tree 14 nights
I can only add to those who have suffered at the hands of the dreaded cool box.... I ran my first one off the car and it drained the battery flat by the following morning. I asked my kind caravan neighbour if I could link up to his car with my jump leads to start my car and he refused!!!! said it would put a strain on his battery and ruin it
miserable sod, I've given a jump a few times to fellow campers, last one 3 times in one week, I diagnosed a faulty habitation relay before he left (kept draining both leisure and starter batt in his camper)
He emailed me a couple of weeks later to say thanks, he'd fixed it, and it was :)
geocachers we got 1 of the Aldi coolboxes last year & it's been great & keeps thing nice & cold but it will flatten your car battery. Get an EHU as you won't regret it one bit well we haven't as we also take a small fan heater & fan with us so never get to hot/cold in our tent
Can`t run one in my car unless the engine is running (vectra c) the power sockets are disconnected when the engine is off, right pain in RS when I want to charge up a set of batteries for my camera.
Ps, going by your name I`m guessing you are fellow tupperware botherers?
'Tupperware Botherers' very good, then I am one too! Makes it sound a bit pervy though!
On topic, I use my 12v cool box when in the car, ideal for picnics on day trips. But don't leave it plugged in when the car isn't running. I usually move mine to the shady side of the tent (assuming summer has decided to join us) and don't open it unless absolutely necessary to try and retain the cold. Having a separate non electric cool box (topped up with icepacks or bags of ice) is better for drinks and snacks as it will be opened frequently.
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: Running coolbox off the car
so we plugged the coolbox into the car. Predictably enough the battery was flat in the morning do muggins here had to crawl in through the boot lol. 
