az_max said:
I don't have a top end ice chest, it's only a Coleman 5-day. The cover I linked is as expensive as the ice chest itself. My friend sent me links for coolers used on his boating trips, starting at $400. :ack: I'd thought I'd just see about replacing the towel I use with some sort of insulation. I'll check the foil links.
The Colemans are about as good as non-specialist coolers get. The 5 days are pretty decent, and hold up well.
The best thing you could do for that cooler is wrap it in foil, I think. Find a cheap adhesive foil, similar to the ones I linked.
Be sure, however, to use something safe. If it's just single layer vapor deposited mylar, a simple metal foil, or conventional insulation, it's fine. If you start stuffing it with ceramic or fiberglass, though, it's not the best idea.
If you can't find an adhesive foil you like, I'd head straight for a space blanket:
http://energyboomer.typepad.com/photos/uncategorized/2007/12/21/space_blanket.jpg
They come in all manner of qualities, shapes and sizes. Here is a thick and durable model, with a bit of conventional insulation at the expense of a perfectly reflective outer surface:
http://www.bensbackwoods.com/catalog/space%20blanket%20red.jpg
People have a lot of negative thoughts on these space blankets. That's because they don't know how to use them. When used correctly, they are outstanding. They need space between their surface and the item they are protecting. Quite a bit of space, depending on what you want to do.
Now, that's not a problem with a cooler. It's perfectly insulated to reap all the benefits of a space blanket. You can glue that blanket right on to the cooler, if you want, and it will still work.
Put very simply, you want to reflect infrared radiation with a material that will not store much absorbed energy that might have been absorbed. In other words, if you polish a steel box and stick the cooler in it, you have only made an oven that hurts your eyes when you look at it and burns your ass when you sit on it. Fat lot of good a cooler is, if you can't sit on it.
If you use a thin film of reflective material, however, it will work perfectly. Cool inside and cool to the touch.
Whatever you do, consider those points. The cooler is insulated enough as it is. Wrapping it with all manner of stuff (even a towel) just keeps the radiation away. All you need is that reflective layer to finish the job. Sometimes, that reflective layer comes with canvas and padding.
All that extra stuff does is increase the durability of the stuff and keep it from being so damned shiny. Indeed, it can prevent the reflective layer from doing it's job properly, by storing just enough heat to keep it in the film. Doesn't matter with a cooler, though.
Just glue, sew, or tape some shiny shit on it. Space blankets are cheap and great. Adhesive foils are more expensive, but it's a going to be a hell of a lot easier to do. I'd go with adhesive foil, in your case.
Don't use kitchen foil, though. I know you've considered it at some point reading this post.
It will tear all up and still burn your ass. It's actually too thick and too fragile to be of any real use.
Cheers,
Kennith
