S**P
Forget peppermint patties...this is a game changer for those that actually work for a living...
This is my 2nd Compcooler product. I bought the vest + backpack kit (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07CXYPL3S/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 ) and used it in my workshop as a band-aid until I can afford a mini-split A/C unit. It works pretty well for that as long as you don't mind lugging around a backpack while you work. I was getting about 2 full hours of cooling out of the backpack version (3 liters) until I wanted a setup that would work on my tractors. You can't sit comfortably on a tractor or anything other than a motorcycle or bike without the backpack getting in your way. You could extend the lines and put the backpack aside, but it doesn't give you a lot of run time.This larger unit, meant for long trips on a motorcycle gives me anywhere from 3 to 5 hours of cooling while on the tractor in 85-100 degree heat. It takes me 3hrs to mow and when I do flail mowing (laying down acres of brush in the field) it gives me a little more because I am able to keep the bag/unit away from the drive train heat - very important if you want extra cooling time.I load mine up with 4 mini ice packs that fit standing up like expansion cards on your PC, and a 4-pack wavy/cradle ice pack that I use where the lines come into the cooler box. I then use loose ice cubes to fill in all the voids after carefully routing the intake/outlet lines in the box. I then pour in 2 full quarts of refrigerated water which brings the level up to about 3/4 of the capacity of the cooler box. At some point in the future, I'll make a big ice cube mold that fits the inside of the cooler perfectly...Refrigerated water vs tap makes a big difference! Just put a pitcher in fridge and use that.I bought an extra 6' set of lines in case I wanted to locate the unit further away, but I haven't needed to do that yet. I bungee cord it to the side of my x749 mower next to the seat and have it sitting in a plastic tote that is mounted to the front loader on my large JD tractor. The 6' line that comes with it is plenty long enough for nearly any situation.When you first turn on the unit, it takes about 15-20 sec before you feel the coolant circulating through the vest. It is like no other sensation you've ever felt before - and it cools your core like nothing else. We had a 100 deg heat wave come through and I was able to mow for about 3 hours and I didn't even break a sweat! - WHICH IS UNREAL! - However, after the mowing was done and I took off the vest to clean up, I was soaked in sweat after only 5 minutes!HOW you use the vest/cooler setup will influence how much run time you get out of your coolant. What I do is run it for 5-10 min, and then I turn it off. If I start to feel warm, I turn it back on again for a few min, then off. By doing this, I get the refreshing inrush of coolant each time and this really prolongs the life of the coolant before I need to add more ice etc. I have not used the 12v cig lighter adapter - only the battery pack. Works great and lasts way longer than the ice/coolant itself. I bought 2 battery packs but I could have been fine with one.Since this unit is a bit pricey, I bought a duffel bag to put it in as a protective cover. It is a REALLY tight fit, but works well to prevent grass clippings and insects from fouling the original soft case. You have to work it around to get it on, but it isn't a big deal. I completely knifed out the side 'shoe' storage area so I can have the coolant lines come out of it and zipper it tight. It also functions as storage for the unused hose length that can be coiled up inside and kept clean. Attached pic shows it in a trash bag until I bought the duffel bag) You might want a slightly larger one: ( https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07BLS3JVB/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 )I'm giving this 5-stars because it has allowed me to do a lot more in the heat & because it is pretty well made, but here are a few things that need improvement:1) There are NO instructions AT ALL with this unit & NO documentation available on the mfg's website. Most is self-explanatory, but what about purging the lines for storage in the winter etc ? Also no parts nomenclature/breakdown.2) The latches on the cooler seem pretty weak. Chrome coated/vac deposition latches on the cooler have me concerned they won't last. I push down on the lid while unlatching in an attempt to extend the life of the latches.3) The intake line needs to be cut on an angle so that it doesn't get sucked to the bottom or side of anything preventing the pump from moving fluid. I cut mine on a 45 to prevent this from happening.4) The lines/connectors coming out of the soft case should be labelled or color coated by 'channel' so you don't mix up intake/output between channels - which will prevent coolant flow.5) Since this is a 'COMP'cooler, there should be a controller available to eliminate the need to cycle the pump on/off in intervals. Leaving it on all the time the first hour will chill you out too much - cycling it functions as a thermostat and makes it last much longer. This will be a winter/cabin fever project a la Arduino.
B**E
Works great, but ice melts fast!
I got this unit and I was hoping for the 6 hours it said. I am lucky to get an hour out of a cooler full of ice. The unit works really well though. Just don't expect much time from the whole thing. I just keep extra bags of ice on standby. I've tried ice packs as well, still warms up quick. But this is a good unit if you keep replacing the ice. I will mow a couple lawns, change out the ice, then go mow a couple more. Keeps me cool so I can't complain.
