Can cooling box kill the battery?
-
- Posts: 4
- Joined: Mon Aug 30, 2021 11:20 am
- Qashqai Model: Mk.2 Qashqai - J11 (2013–2017)
I’ve recently bought 12V cooling box (a fridge) for my car. So now I’m wondering is it safe for my battery to keep it working when I’m not driving? Also my Qashqai turns engine off on traffic lights. Does it mean this fridge would drain my battery faster or even kill it? Or Qashqai can control the usage of the battery and I don’t need to worry about it?
- gloucester
- Posts: 5196
- Joined: Sun Apr 03, 2016 7:04 am
- Location: Gloucestershire, England
- Qashqai Model: Mk.2 Qashqai - J11 (2013–2017)
Surely it's obvious it will "drain the battery faster"?
(2015 Nissan Qashqai Tekna DIG-T 1.2 sold 15/6/18) ~ 2018 Suzuki Ignis SZ5 - 2018 Yamaha MT-07 ~ (2024 Volvo EX30 ordered)
Second that - cooling is a high current draw and if you are running an original troublesome battery then you will be stranded.
Try a cold box packed with ice
Try a cold box packed with ice
-
- Posts: 564
- Joined: Wed Apr 17, 2019 10:07 am
- Qashqai Model: Mk.2 Qashqai - J11 (2013–2017)
Depends where it plugged in. Cool boxes, especially this weather, can have quite a drain on the battery, would be better to instal a relay so when ignition is off the cool box is also off. I once wired my own tow bar without a relay and my caravan fridge drained the battery in just over an hour, beware.
Past cars Mercedes B Class, S Class, E Class Estate, E Class Coupe, G Wagen, 260E interspersed with Peugeot 406 and Audi Coupe.
-
- Posts: 4
- Joined: Mon Aug 30, 2021 11:20 am
- Qashqai Model: Mk.2 Qashqai - J11 (2013–2017)
I have to say that cooling box only sounds serious but it's just a box with a fan. It's not an AC. Nothing fancy really.
I am pretty sure that leaving it on with engine turned off would be a mistake, but on running engine... it's just a small fan afterall...
I am pretty sure that leaving it on with engine turned off would be a mistake, but on running engine... it's just a small fan afterall...
-
- Posts: 564
- Joined: Wed Apr 17, 2019 10:07 am
- Qashqai Model: Mk.2 Qashqai - J11 (2013–2017)
Just googled one for sale at Halfords and it draws 3.5amps @12v, so not just a fan
Past cars Mercedes B Class, S Class, E Class Estate, E Class Coupe, G Wagen, 260E interspersed with Peugeot 406 and Audi Coupe.
- MikeGC
- Posts: 1881
- Joined: Tue Feb 07, 2017 11:50 am
- Location: Stockport
- Qashqai Model: Mk.3 Qashqai - J12 (2021+) New Model
I remember a neighbour buying a new Renault 5 in February 1986
He accidentally left the interior light on overnight.
That flattened the battery to the extent that he needed a push start in the morning on his way to work.
He accidentally left the interior light on overnight.
That flattened the battery to the extent that he needed a push start in the morning on his way to work.
March '22 - J12 1.3DIG-T 160 CVT Tekna+ with all wheel drive - Pearl Black
July '19 - J11B 1.3DIG-T 160 DCT Tekna - Vivid Blue
March '17 - Qashqai J11A 1.5dci n-connecta - gunmetal
September '14 - Juke 1.5dci gunmetal ascenta premium (red accent packs)
July '19 - J11B 1.3DIG-T 160 DCT Tekna - Vivid Blue
March '17 - Qashqai J11A 1.5dci n-connecta - gunmetal
September '14 - Juke 1.5dci gunmetal ascenta premium (red accent packs)
-
- Posts: 165
- Joined: Mon Nov 08, 2021 1:50 pm
- Qashqai Model: Mk.3 Qashqai - J12 (2021+) New Model
I think there's a management system to prevent battery drain. For example, infotainment is automatically switched off after some time when engine is not running. I guess the same occurs with 12V plugs.
Qashqai J12 N-Connecta, 140 hp manual.
-
- Posts: 564
- Joined: Wed Apr 17, 2019 10:07 am
- Qashqai Model: Mk.2 Qashqai - J11 (2013–2017)
Not sure about that, yes the radio turns off after about 20 minutes if you sit in the car and when you open the drivers door, but the little red light on my USB plug in stays lit. I haven't stayed looking for too long to see if that does go out when outside the car.
Past cars Mercedes B Class, S Class, E Class Estate, E Class Coupe, G Wagen, 260E interspersed with Peugeot 406 and Audi Coupe.