12V Evaporative Cooler

[Jockey]

I have just purchased this cooler from the Caravan camping show over the weekend and highly recommend for anyone that does surveillance.

[tosh]

Hey Jock, Just trying to work out where the bottle of chardy and 6 pack of XXXX go. ( That was a joke...sorry)

[Ashman]

This post has been removed by the writer.

[Jockey]

No a Territory

[Darren]

Thanks for posting that Jockey, can I ask how much?

[Jockey]

They are $395 inc GST plus delivery where ever you are.  Go too their website.

www.transcool.info

[sgtskzell]

Hey Jockey.

A nice find!

I see it runs with very little power consumption, which is great. Are you running it straight off of your car battery, or do you have some sort of secondary device to power things like this?

I ask, because I plan on setting up a surveillance vehicle once I arrive in AU in a few weeks, and am not sure if I will be needing some sort of power source to run things like this, as well as laptop charger, camera charger, and maybe even a little fridge for a beverage or two!  

[Jockey]

I have an external 100w battery set up in the rear (by an auto electrician) so gets charged every time the vehicle is running. I have six power outlets velcroed in the front and run GPS, Phone and video camera chargers and any other 12V item with a plug.
I have a 600W inverter also connected to the external battery and run a power board of that which sits securely under the rear seat and easily accessed when needed.
I also run a 30ltr fridge in the rear and just purchased a 12V kettle for those cups of coffee and soups.
The vehicle is my office and has been at times my accommodation, so its built for comfort

[sgtskzell]

What an awesome set up! If only I could afford a big vehicle like yourself! I think I'll be in a little Mitsubishi Magna or something along those lines as my first vehicle.

I imagine it'll be a long few years before I can afford to upgrade..  
But I'm sure I'll manage.

Thanks for the info!

 

[Jockey]

My previous vehicle was a Magna, in fact I had two for surveillance over the last ten years and found the vehicle very reliable. My only negative was a very poor turning circle. I also had an external battery system set up in the boot of those vehicles as well.

[Jockey]

The bottom line with a surveillance vehicle is that it is where an investment must be made. If your vehicle isn't reliable then your not going to earn money.
I don't spend big dollars in some peoples eyes in vehicles, my vehicles are second hand but I look after them, in regards to service, tyres and anything mechanical. If I have no vehicle I have no work (SIMPLE).

[sgtskzell]

That's very true, I never really considered it such an important issue, but thinking about it, it really is.

Did you bother to get tints on your Magna's, or do you think this would be unneeded? Some seem to recommend them, while others not so much. I am extremely surprised at the number of vehicles in Australia that do have tinted windows though. They seem to be a common sight, compared to here in New Zealand, where they tend to be a rarity.

[Jockey]

All my vehicles had/have tints from 18% to 5% at the rear. NOW before everyone gets on-board...I have never ever been questioned about the darkness of my window tints by law enforcement officers and all vehicles have been fully insured. I have had accidents in my vehicles (not because of tints) and the questions have never come up.
Tint is a MUST in a surveillance vehicle and I believe that 18% is as dark as you want to go. I also have Ford screens on the interior windows of my vehicle as well as the tint and my viewing is still perfect out harder looking in.

[sgtskzell]

I'll have to make sure I get some tints then!

Sorry to be a nuisance, (it can be hard not to sometimes, only being 18 years old  :wink: ), but what year were the Magnas you used? I want to be sure what I am buying is a good reliable car, especially since I am on a very strict budget.

Any alternatives to a Magna you could think of would be good too, my car knowledge is not that great. I am more of a computer guy myself.  

[Jockey]

Your not being a nuisance, if you don't know and don't ask you will never learn. My first Magna was a 1998 model 3ltr and my second was a 2004 3.5ltr. Both vehicles I had converted to LPG and I have my current Ford Terror on LPG cost just on $5000 but is well and truly paying for itself.