Using Vans AC to keep ice chest cold ?

[Westycamper]

Has anyone ran a hose from the dashboard AC ducts to an ice chest ?

I am just wondering how good it works to keep food and drinks cold and maybe stop the ice from melting as quick,

any ideas of what works and does not work ?

Thanks

 

[Lucky mike]

pretty much it will melt the ice.......A/C has at max a 25 degree differential

 

[highdesertranger]

didn't someone offer a cooler in a car that ran off the ac. I am thinking Nissan, but could be wrong. ice wouldn't work, but it would chill your soda or keep it chilled. like lucky said the ac would never go to a safe temp for food. unless it is already pretty chilly out. highdesertranger

 

[Westycamper]

OK.....lets forget the part about the ice and go with the keeping drinks cold.

I saw someplace on the net that an SUV had a AC cooled glovebox ,

So lets say you started with an old Coleman type ice chest , a hose from the AC duct goes in but what is the best way for the air to come out ?
But also the outlet needs to close when you turn the AC off to keep the cold in.

ideas ?

 

[Lucky mike]

in the bottom exhaust out the top...(Heat Rises)...or make a baffle system ..in the top to the things you want cold...open port on divider wall bottom ....exhaust out top opposite side

 

[Willy]

Depending on how handy you are, and whether it can be modified, I'd think that installing insulated 'bypass' ducting (draws and returns air from the cooler) and replacing the thermostat with one that has a lower cutout might work. Would probably have to apply insulation to other areas too and, when all is said and done, you'd be better off picking up a compressor cooler. ..Willy.

 

[highdesertranger]

the best you could hope for is the high 40's. which is pretty cool but not cold. stick a thermometer in your ac outlet turn your ac on high and see how cold it gets. should be 48 to 52. if that's enough for you go for it. highdesertranger