The cool box

[Dano]

It has it's own system, a separate evap that's tied into the main AC freon system. Part #12 in the attached PDF.

Thanks for this info.

Past winter I took a road trip and hoped to have cold drink at the ready on the way. Realized then that I had to have AirCon on to use the cool box. Temps outside were mostly in the teens, so no, wasn’t doing that. I figured it was just blowing some frigid air on/in the box to achieve the amazing “cool” box feature. Seemed akin to a subway grate in NY being called a street warming hut option. Didn’t try turning AC on, but setting interior temp in the 70’s - I was already getting poor gas mileage in the deep freeze drive and I’m guessing this would only have rubbed salt in the wound. I was stopping to fill up frequently enough and could just buy “a cold one” at the gas station if I needed.

 

[Blue Bear]

Thanks for this info.

Past winter I took a road trip and hoped to have cold drink at the ready on the way. Realized then that I had to have AirCon on to use the cool box. Temps outside were mostly in the teens, so no, wasn’t doing that. I figured it was just blowing some frigid air on/in the box to achieve the amazing “cool” box feature. Seemed akin to a subway grate in NY being called a street warming hut option. Didn’t try turning AC on, but setting interior temp in the 70’s - I was already getting poor gas mileage in the deep freeze drive and I’m guessing this would only have rubbed salt in the wound. I was stopping to fill up frequently enough and could just buy “a cold one” at the gas station if I needed.

It doesn't work even with AC on in colder temperatures.

 

[Dano]

Classic. That’s UnCool.

Ok, when it’s cold out it sounds like I’ve found a new function for my roof rack where Ill cinch down a 6 pack by the sunroof opening (yeah more wind noise and worse gas mileage lol)!

 

[RideWithYanu]

I figured it was just blowing some frigid air on/in the box to achieve the amazing “cool” box feature.

That’s exactly what it does.

 

[ultane]

Didn’t try turning AC on, but setting interior temp in the 70’s - I was already getting poor gas mileage in the deep freeze drive and I’m guessing this would only have rubbed salt in the wound.

The LC AC compressor is driven by an electric motor,.. not a belt driving a pulley on the engine.

 

[Dano]

The LC AC compressor is driven by an electric motor,.. not a belt driving a pulley on the engine.

Never had a hybrid vehicle before, and this is yet another interesting piece of info making me rethink old norms! As the first law of thermodynamics must apply even in the LC250, what’s the “cost” of this energy? Kinda reminds me of that Joe Pesci grits scene from My Cousin Vinny. Dont tell me we’ve got magic Land Cruisers (though I’d like to think we do)!

 

[ultane]

As the first law of thermodynamics must apply even in the LC250, what’s the “cost” of this energy?

Someone smarter than me explained it a significant while ago, but I can’t remember his exact take home message.

 

[LC Family]

It doesn't work even with AC on in colder temperatures.

View attachment 61837

We have found ways to work around things like this and have been able to get the cool box to do the job when it is a priority. The "auto" and "sync" features often will stand in the way of the cool box so, as long as you become familiar with this, cool box operation is much more under your control when you take a more manual approach to the climate in your vehicle. We do use our cool box often for medication which requires refrigeration (insulin, etc.) and have learned a lot about making it work when needed. The cool box was a selling point for us in our First Edition since keeping medication cool in Colorado has been a constant hassle historically (the Colorado sun is a problem at least 350 days a year no matter the high/low temps of the day). Granted, Colorado "winter" is a lot different than winter in other parts of the country...

 

[RideWithYanu]

As the first law of thermodynamics must apply even in the LC250, what’s the “cost” of this energy?

Regenerative braking - ubiquitous in hybrid vehicles. Your owners manual describes how this works if you’re interested.

 

[EOD Guy]

Never had a hybrid vehicle before, and this is yet another interesting piece of info making me rethink old norms! As the first law of thermodynamics must apply even in the LC250, what’s the “cost” of this energy? Kinda reminds me of that Joe Pesci grits scene from My Cousin Vinny. Dont tell me we’ve got magic Land Cruisers (though I’d like to think we do)!

Of course there's an energy deficit, but it's much less than most of us are used to in a conventional AC system. I do not know how much extra (or even how to calculate the fuel consumption) the ICE will run to keep the hybrid battery topped off with the AC engaged vs AC off, but when I sit 45 min in the car rider lane waiting on my G-Baby, the ICE cycles on a 5-6 min on and 10-15 min off, with the AC set a 65 degrees. VS in my Taco it'd be constant 45 min.

 

[Dano]

Regenerative braking - ubiquitous in hybrid vehicles. Your owners manual describes how this works if you’re interested.

I’ve read and understand the concept of regenerative braking since the earliest Prius. The point is that powering a device (AC in this case) will require energy, which in turn typically comes at the expense of something else.

Of course there's an energy deficit, but it's much less than most of us are used to in a conventional AC system. I do not know how much extra (or even how to calculate the fuel consumption) the ICE will run to keep the hybrid battery topped off with the AC engaged vs AC off, but when I sit 45 min in the car rider lane waiting on my G-Baby, the ICE cycles on a 5-6 min on and 10-15 min off, with the AC set a 65 degrees. VS in my Taco it'd be constant 45 min.

Thanks. Appreciate the real-world example and perspective. I still have that frame of reference with non-hybrid vehicles that noticeably seem to give a “groan” when I switch on the AirCon. I take it in your example you are waiting in pick-line with cool box activated and cold beverages at the ready?!

I’ve got a handle on realistic expectations from the cool box now depending on the weather. It’s a bit like the phone charger which has some positive attributes and some deficiencies. Can try to adapt or intervene. I just bought an Offroam mount - whether I use it powered or not, I’ve got some more console space available and phone display is user friendly, so that’s a win.

 

[RideWithYanu]

I’ve read and understand the concept of regenerative braking since the earliest Prius. The point is that powering a device (AC in this case) will require energy, which in turn typically comes at the expense of something else.

You know the answer then - brake pads and fuel. That’s it.

 

[EOD Guy]

I’ve read and understand the concept of regenerative braking since the earliest Prius. The point is that powering a device (AC in this case) will require energy, which in turn typically comes at the expense of something else.



Thanks. Appreciate the real-world example and perspective. I still have that frame of reference with non-hybrid vehicles that noticeably seem to give a “groan” when I switch on the AirCon. I take it in your example you are waiting in pick-line with cool box activated and cold beverages at the ready?!

I’ve got a handle on realistic expectations from the cool box now depending on the weather. It’s a bit like the phone charger which has some positive attributes and some deficiencies. Can try to adapt or intervene. I just bought an Offroam mount - whether I use it powered or not, I’ve got some more console space available and phone display is user friendly, so that’s a win.

Yepper, I feel pretty cheeky sitting there in Alabama heat, Radio playing my favorite tunes, reaching in and pulling out an ice cold soda, all while suppressing my ear to ear grin........LOL