Source
r/techsupport•
BenoxLP

I want my brother to be able to go camping, but he needs to cool Medicaments. Power should be available, can anybody help?

Open | Hardware

Hey Guys, so:

I have a little brother, right now he is 12 years old. We are both part of the local scout group, and this summer, my brother will go to a 2-week camp. Now, here's the problem:

He has to take daily doses of a medicament that has to be kept at 2-8°C (35.6-46.4°F). It is not much, a case not bigger than a shoe. But normally, there is no fridge in the camp, groceries etc. are bought fresh. Normal minibars and cooling cases from the internet we tried don't reach under 12°C (53.6°F).

We are aware that we can try to get a restaurant etc. to store it for us. But this solution is highly dependant on things we can't control, so I strongly dislike it. What I can say for sure is that we will have power available.

We are not stingy about thinks concerning that matter, so feel free to tell me everything that comes to your minds. I would also say that we can tolerate small temperature fluctuations, since we can stuff whatever is used as container with cooling packs.

It can also be big, we can transport it to the camp site with a car at the beginning and go take it back at the end.

So, tldr:

  • Meds have to be kept at 2-8°C = 35,6-46,4°F
  • Case is 18x9x4 [cm] = 7,1x3,5x1,6 [inches]
  • Power is available
  • Costs are not the first priority
  • Asking other people to cool it has already been acknowledged

I am very grateful for all help I get, and appreciate every try. Just tell me what comes to your minds!

Posted Feb 26, 2021, 7:02 PM UTC

19
chronop•

Since the medication is so important I would not try to roll my own or build some elaborate custom solution. You don't want to be the one responsible for your brother not getting his medication.

I would buy a mini fridge with temperature control: (edit: changed link to the one provided by u/archon286) https://www.amazon.com/Alpicool-Temperature-Control-Portable-Refrigerator/dp/B082XNW7HD

4
archon286•

Great idea, but that particular model should just be called a warmer... it doesn't have an refrigerant and can only get a bit cooler than ambient temperature. (most of the similar models are this way it seems)

u/BenoxLP, This thing looks pretty on point for near freezing temperature control on a camping trip if cost is not a limiting factor.

1
chronop•

Good to know! I did not do much research beyond the surface level and it's always nice to learn more about different types of devices. I updated the link in my post.

1
BenoxLPOP•

I also found things like this, but they are expensive. Thanks for the idea tho, the result would surely work. Maybe, if my other idea does not work, I will come back to it.

(copypaste) I think I might have found a solution in the meantime, there are some kind of small insulin coolers that keep those temperatures and can run on power or battery. I will experiment with them, and hope I find one that works until summer. Thanks for all the help <3!

1
BenoxLPOP•

Good idea, also thought about that. Most mini fridges dont get below 10°C, but there certainly are some that do. But:

(copypaste) I think I might have found a solution in the meantime, there are some kind of small insulin coolers that keep those temperatures and can run on power or battery. I will experiment with them, and hope I find one that works until summer. Thanks for all the help <3!

1
RicoRN2017•

Dry ice. Have to be careful to not get it too cold and freeze but it’s cheap enough you can experiment with a block at bottom of large cooler covered in ice

1
BenoxLPOP•

Gets too cold, already tried it. We do this since years, and dry ice has to be actively monitored to keep it on right temperatures. Not really the thing when you want to go on daylong hikes.

2
ferrybig•

What are the expected outside temparatures? Can your solution be put somewhere in the shade, or is it required to be kept inside the tent all times for protection? It is easier to make a solution for 20C outdoor temp in the shade, compared to 40C outdoor temp, inside a sunlit tent, which is even hotter.

Are there any noise constrains?

One solution I would think of is surrounding the item in normal ice, and allow the melted water to flow away. It would keep it at around 4C, as ice melts at that temp (note that fresh ice might be colder than your minimum temp)

1
BenoxLPOP•

Expected outside temperatures are around 30-35°C, it will not be necessary to store it in a tent. I think I might have found a solution in the meantime, there are some kind of small insulin coolers that keep those temperatures and can run on power or battery. I will experiment with them, and hope I find one that works until summer. Thanks for all the help <3!

1