[mjt57]

The i30CW has an APO in the "boot" area but the standard i30 doesn't. How easy would it be to fit one?

I'm looking at getting an Engel cooler and it'd handy if I can store it in the boot without having to run a long cable from the dash back to it.

And speaking of Engel coolers, anyone here got one, or one similar? They claim that they can cool to 20 degs below ambient. Just wondering how well they do this. ie. could I transport dairy products in it without cream going off or butter melting?

[Phil №❶]

Yes, I have one, I bought it for fishing in my pre marriage days. These fridges have a rotary compressor like an air conditioner AND ARE QUITE CAPABLE OF FREEZING FOOD, EVEN IN A HOT CAR. They're expensive, but the bees knees of refrigeration. 

Be warned, they do chew the juice, so I only run mine when the engine is running. The APO in the CW is permanently energized, I wouldn't be too happy with that arrangement, but set it up as you see fit.

[FatBoy]

I have a Waeco 60L that we use for camping.  It will only fit in the 4wd, and I run it with the portable power pack that Waeco make (36 amp hour battery).  So my Jackaroo, when running, charges the battery that supplies power to the Waeco.  When the car isn't running the fridge runs off the battery.  When we set up our camper trailer, the fridge plugs directly into the outlet in the camper trailer to it's 100 amp hour battery.

As 847563 (still doesn't roll off the tongue or the keyboard) said, they are expensive (mine was $1500 on special) and they can chew the power (depends on difference between ambient and desired temp), but can get down to 1 amp/hour.  But they are also "the ducks guts".  Most 4wd that have the proper set up for these will run a dual battery, just so the fridge doesn't flatten your battery when you stop.

[mjt57]

I have a Waeco 60L that we use for camping.

Just to get things slightly back on topic, I'm refering to those $90 units that "cool" to a certain figure below ambient, not a proper refrig unit such as the excellent Waecos or Engels.

As 847563 (still doesn't roll off the tongue or the keyboard)

That's why I call him "84". Hate to sound familiar but it's easier to type...

 

In any case, I posted the question about these cooler units in Whirlpool. Concensus there is that they're a waste of money, even though no-one admitted to actually owning one. Product Review.com didn't seem to have any reviews on them, either. I'm now looking at getting a quality esky (pity that the Esky brand, formerly a Malleys product is shit), say, one with wheels, so the missus can tote it easier if I'm not around.

Finally, back to the main topic, is there a permanently live circuit in the back of the car which I can tap into to install an APO?

[Phil №❶]

 

And staying off topic a bit longer. You did mention Engel brand name so that's what I thought you meant. However, I also have 2 coolers as well. They have no compressor and use about 4 amps when running. they will keep food cold or warm IF it is already cold or warm to start with. Even then they struggle. The active surface that cools or heats is only about 3X4 or 12 cm sq. This is pretty small compared to the total inner surface area. They use the peltier affect to heat / cool with a computer fan blowing air through a finned heatsink.

You're welcome to call me 84 

[Dazzler]

Even those little ones you are talking about seem to draw a lot of current as we used a cheapie ($30 on special at Dick Smiths some time ago) and it seemed to deplete my Hybrid Battery quite badly

Might have been a coincidence but we had it plugged in for about 3 hours while we drove to Hobart and then went into a shopping centre for about an hour and a half...When we came back out the car was behaving strangely and the Hybrid Battery was down to about a quarter (normally sits at 2 thirds to 3 quarters)  The Cigarette outlet isn't live when the car is turned off...

I unplugged the little cooler/warmer (which does seem to work well) and within 5 or 10 minutes the battery was back to normal 

[2i30s]

for those of you that didn't know,the power outlet in the rear of the cw is permanently powered.    the outlet in the front of the console isn't permanently powered,it shuts off with the ignition being turned too off.    it couldn't be that hard to retro fit an extra outlet in the hatch area. 

[baroudeur]

The i30CW has an APO in the "boot" area but the standard i30 doesn't. How easy would it be to fit one?

I'm looking at getting an Engel cooler and it'd handy if I can store it in the boot without having to run a long cable from the dash back to it.

And speaking of Engel coolers, anyone here got one, or one similar? They claim that they can cool to 20 degs below ambient. Just wondering how well they do this. ie. could I transport dairy products in it without cream going off or butter melting?

I have an Engel 25 litre fridge/freezer about 25 years old which was given to me secondhand.  A fantastic bit of kit although expensive to buy.

I also bought  a  top notch Canadian brand cooler box - the type to which I think you are referring - which was useless.  It works  on  the Peltier effect  but struggled over a long period to achieve  5°C on days over 20°C ambient.  Waste of time in my view but  I sold mine for more than I paid.

[AKAdventure]

Slightly back on topic, I do a bit of photography and I would like a power oulet in the boot of my hatch to charge up some bits of photo gear. I tried looking at the Global Service Way for a circuit diagram, but couldn't find anything.

Does a decent circuit diagram exist for the i30?

I didn't want to have to run a wire all the way back to the fuse panel if I can avoid it. Can anyone assist?

[Dazzler]

I thought we had electrical diagrams on here somewhere but I couldn't locate them with a quick browse 

[syecadelic]

Surely it would be easy enough to just splice into the existing one at the front of the car, below the stereo, and run it back to the boot somewhere? possible a switch at the front if your wanting to be fancy.

Then purchase a female connection from auto-parts store/ebay/ etc etc and wire it in, cut a small hole in the boot fabric or something similar and fit?
possible run a small inline blade fuse to be safe?

[AKAdventure]

Yes, I could splice into the front, but as someone previously mentioned this is a switched PO. I need one that is hot all the time. (ala like the CW)

Surely there must be a circuit in the back of the car that is always hot and is the appropriate amperage?!?

[syecadelic]

straight off the battery then? and a fuse att he very front, before the bulk head, with a switch in the cabbin, just incase, but i would worry about a wire being constantly live. as , depending on the load, it may drain the battery quickly, which isnt a good idea..

[mjt57]

If anyone here has a CW can they tell us where the rear APO is located? I'm hoping that the wiring for the two models is the same and that we could tap into that circuit in around the same place. Otherwise, there would be a LOT of rooting around to run cabling down to the back.

[Phil №❶]

Just a thought, depending on the load you expect to put on the APU, years ago, I ran my Engel fridge using a connection to the tail lights of the car. Quite often aftermarket towbar electrical connections are made directly to the wires of the tail light assembly. Moine worked fine. To run the device, the parking lights, or headlights, had to be on. That way, I knew if the fridge was energised. I'm not a fan of permanently on capability, as it's a recipie for a dead battery. Not good in an auto. 

[Ugly Mongrel]

If anyone here has a CW can they tell us where the rear APO is located? I'm hoping that the wiring for the two models is the same and that we could tap into that circuit in around the same place. Otherwise, there would be a LOT of rooting around to run cabling down to the back.

Hi Mjt, the CW has two shopping bag hooks, one on each side, just inside the back. THe APO is located just in front of the righthand side bag hook.

[mjt57]

the CW has two shopping bag hooks, one on each side, just inside the back. THe APO is located just in front of the righthand side bag hook.

Thanks for that, Ugly. I'll have a look around that area, see if the panels are easily removed and what may be lurking behind them.

[baroudeur]

I have the wiring diagram/instructions for Hyundai towbar electrics on an i30.  A permanent supply is taken by using a fuse tap connection at the driver's side fuse box because there is no supply in the boot (trunk) area.
The wiring cable sizes are small so taking an additional load for fridges etc may not be wise.  A new supply direct from the battery or fuse box is far more suitable.

Link here  http://www.pfjones.co.uk/Wiring_instructions/29080507RC.pdf

[Dazzler]

I have the wiring diagram/instructions for Hyundai towbar electrics on an i30.  A permanent supply is taken by using a fuse tap connection at the driver's side fuse box because there is no supply in the boot (trunk) area.
The wiring cable sizes are small so taking an additional load for fridges etc may not be wise.  A new supply direct from the battery or fuse box is far more suitable.

Link here  http://www.pfjones.co.uk/Wiring_instructions/29080507RC.pdf

A handy link and info (thanks very much) 

[AKAdventure]

Thanks Baradeur, that helps a lot!