Hello All,
I've been using the IceBox in my -7A (tip-up) on a few trips now and wanted to provide some user feedback to anyone thinking about purchasing. I'm based out of KSOP (NC- home of the US Open 2014) and though its been cooler this year, we've seen the 90s multiple days and always high humidity.
Positives:
It works! It will cool the cockpit quickly to where I have no problems taxiing to taking off with the canopy full closed on the hottest day. As long as there is cold water running through the coils, the cockpit is cool, though I usually point the directional hose closer to me since I like it cooler than the wife. The remote works nicely, and the snap-hose to drain that comes with it is nicely designed . It looks like a cooler that's been modified, so nothing fancy. But still it seems to be fairly well made.
Not so Positives:
Main issue is its not made for an RV; its made for a larger airplane with easy access to baggage (ie side door). The IceBox is fairly large, so in my RV it has to be wedged between the seat rail and canopy rail with the seats pulled forward. And it's too large to sit in the front seat without blocking the right stick. Once it's in the baggage area, it fits nicely but does take a good portion of the luggage space. Removing the IceBox requires the same wedging tricks, but is a little more complicated with the residual water left (even with pumping the water out, not all is removed).
If you decide to buy, I'd recommend the additional gel packs at a minimum because the ice melts fast (I think the pump creates a lot of heat). The aux bat would be nice too, though I didn't get it. It would allow you to drain it on battery, and allow the wife to stay cool without running the IceBox on airplane battery while you are out pumping the gas. The pilot switch would even an added bonus, avoiding unplugging and replugging. Of course this all adds up to an additional $175 or more. Oh, and I'd recommend the hose extension too - add $5 more.
Bottomline - it works great once you get it in the aircraft. Check to ensure it will fit in yours before you buy.
Stamp
N74BZ
I've been using the IceBox in my -7A (tip-up) on a few trips now and wanted to provide some user feedback to anyone thinking about purchasing. I'm based out of KSOP (NC- home of the US Open 2014) and though its been cooler this year, we've seen the 90s multiple days and always high humidity.
Positives:
It works! It will cool the cockpit quickly to where I have no problems taxiing to taking off with the canopy full closed on the hottest day. As long as there is cold water running through the coils, the cockpit is cool, though I usually point the directional hose closer to me since I like it cooler than the wife. The remote works nicely, and the snap-hose to drain that comes with it is nicely designed . It looks like a cooler that's been modified, so nothing fancy. But still it seems to be fairly well made.
Not so Positives:
Main issue is its not made for an RV; its made for a larger airplane with easy access to baggage (ie side door). The IceBox is fairly large, so in my RV it has to be wedged between the seat rail and canopy rail with the seats pulled forward. And it's too large to sit in the front seat without blocking the right stick. Once it's in the baggage area, it fits nicely but does take a good portion of the luggage space. Removing the IceBox requires the same wedging tricks, but is a little more complicated with the residual water left (even with pumping the water out, not all is removed).
If you decide to buy, I'd recommend the additional gel packs at a minimum because the ice melts fast (I think the pump creates a lot of heat). The aux bat would be nice too, though I didn't get it. It would allow you to drain it on battery, and allow the wife to stay cool without running the IceBox on airplane battery while you are out pumping the gas. The pilot switch would even an added bonus, avoiding unplugging and replugging. Of course this all adds up to an additional $175 or more. Oh, and I'd recommend the hose extension too - add $5 more.
Bottomline - it works great once you get it in the aircraft. Check to ensure it will fit in yours before you buy.
Stamp
N74BZ