Ice chest (homemade)

[hillsdown]

Our grade 7 student needs to make a homemade ice chest for "1 ice cube" for his next science project. He is thinking of something like this design but making the centre only big enough for 1 standard ice cube as that is all they are allowed to use. The project that the cube is still frozen after a certain amount of time wins.
http://www.instructables.com/id/Make-a- ... el-cooler/

Any other ideas/suggestions or hints to make it better would be greatly appreciated. :wave: :tiphat:

 

[Alan]

I like the plan, heavy insulationis the best, but the real key is to not open the lid to check it. Just my :2cents:

 

[M5farm]

HD. That design will work but get some poly iso board it has a higher r factor and use an air gap between the inside and outside containers. You can also get some reflective foil tape like heating and ac guys use on the ducts to put in the cooler to reflect the cold air back to the ice cube. It can also be used on the outside to reflect the heat away from the ice cube. If you have a few days to get this done pm me your address and I can send you some sample pieces of ISO board they are about 4"x4" x 1 1/2" thick.

 

[M5farm]

I might even have some nail base samples . They have 1/2 piece of osb laminated to one side. You could miter the corners and turn the osb to the outside and it would b a neat wood box

 

[hillsdown]

M5 that is a very generous THANK YOU!!! The project is due on the 9th so we might not have enough time to get it shipped. I might have some of that here at the ranch though as my dad bought some insulated paneling a while ago when we though we might build our own hanging cooler. I will take pics of it tomorrow and see if you think we might be able to work with this. The kid took shop last semester, and has become pretty handy with the tools so I think he may be able to pull some pretty cool stuff off.

Alan, the ice cube will be put in their project Monday morning first period and then it will opened and checked last period Monday and checked for size, shape density etc.

Thanks Guys!

 

[M5farm]

If you have insulated panels for a cooler it is most likely ISO . ISO has an r factor of 6 per inch. Someone smarter than me could probably tell you how thick you need it for the project. A sealed air gap will be a thermal break and will allow the cooler to do its job. Good luck on the project.

 

[Named'em Tamed'em]

Not sure if it's cheating or not but if you could pre cool the cooler it might buy you some time.

 

[Hook]

Use some liquid nitrogen to super chill the cube and the cooler before you close it up good.

 

[wbvs58]

HD. That design will work but get some poly iso board it has a higher r factor and use an air gap between the inside and outside containers. You can also get some reflective foil tape like heating and ac guys use on the ducts to put in the cooler to reflect the cold air back to the ice cube. It can also be used on the outside to reflect the heat away from the ice cube. If you have a few days to get this done pm me your address and I can send you some sample pieces of ISO board they are about 4"x4" x 1 1/2" thick.

You can only reflect heat not cold. Heat is the energy in the vibrating molecules. On the inside lining, the reflective tape would be usefull but only if it had the reflective surface facing towards the outside.
I would have the inside as small as possible and lined with a thin material with a reflective surface facing out then an air gap and then the thicker insulating material. The little ice cube has to absorb the heat from the insulation first before everything starts to work so the smallest amount of mass around the ice cube the better.
Ken

 

[hurleyjd]

Just hollow out the place for the cube about the same size as the cube line it with aluminum foil and place a piece of foam over the cube to use as a lid. Weight the lid to create a tight seal. Make a trial run at home before the big day.

 

[hillsdown]

This is the material we are going to make the frame of the cooler of.



The outside is metal and the inside is foam insolation.

 

[hillsdown]

Had a minor set back with some health stuff here so I had to get my dad to cut the pieces out for us. Hopefully we can pick them up tomorrow and the nephew can put his plan into action and do a trial run with an icecube. Will post pics after he gets it all assembled etc.

Thanks everyone!!! :tiphat:


On a side note he had an exam yesterday on heating and refrigeration and he aced it, so his science 7 is still maintaining a solid 89% <<< Proud Aunty smilie here>>>

 

[hillsdown]

So it took a really long time this weekend and a lot of work.

The box made from insulated paneling, with more insulation to add layers.

The ice cube cubby.

More insolation.

The finished product

It was a little challenging to put a hinge on the panelling that was just insolation and he was running out of time so the nephew decided to just duct tape it for now and then figure something else when he has to do his essay and final report.

 

[Workinonit Farm]

I like the looks of it! I hope it works out well for him.

And you should have a proud Aunty smile, I would too.

 

[skyhightree1]

very nice

 

[hillsdown]

Thanks everyone!

His ice cube weighed in at 25 grams and had lost 4 grams at the end of the day. One of his classmates wants to buy it from him for an egg incubator; she hatches ducklings.