Thread: [DEAD]Project Turtle: 1993 Toyota Tercel/56K=FAIL

Mini-fridge = Major mini-project (WUT?!)

Confusing, isn't it? I am trying to do this project, but with my glovebox. To do so, I have to rip my dash apart again(1st for the flasher, now for the fridge. Saul says I won't, I'll have to check my book again to check. If this goes as planned, I will have a mini-fridge that holds 3 cans or (maybe) 2 bottles in there... Now Saul wants one in his Ram...

Originally Posted by Xygar

Man, if it works out you have to post detailed instructions on how you turned your glovebox into a fridge... that would be sweet!

I am using the instructions I linked to in the previous post, I'm just adapting them to fit my glovebox. I will post pix of everything I do. I am going to thoroughly enjoy this mini-project.

Started on the glovebox today. Got the hole cut in the back, and the fan/heatsink mounted, waiting on the silicone to dry. Pix are uploading. I'll put them in a new post so I can go into detail about them. Maybe I can explain most of my steps...

I skipped the pix on removing the glovebox as the process varies from vehicle to vehicle. After I pulled the glovebox out, I started lining it with weatherstripping insulation. (not the neatest job in the world but...)


I then took 2 CPU heatsink/fan assemblies and thermal pasted them to the Peltier. (forgot pix) After I used the thermal paste, I used silicone caulking to glue the 3 pieces together.

I then took the fans and the leads from the Peltier and the breadboard I picked up at the RatShack and soldered them together.


I discovered I should be able to have 4 bottles or a 6-pack at a time inside.

I used 2 lantern batteries to test it all.


I cut the holes in the back of the glovebox and fitted the assembly.(It's thin plastic in my case.)


After I test-fitted everything, I siliconed it in place. Now, it needs to dry so I can test it tomorrow...

Very interesting project.

The little Peltier system can only remove so much heat; the easier you make it for the Peltier system, the more successful your compartment will be at keeping things cool.

So I think you may want to reconsider your choice of insulation. The point of the insulation is to cover the entire inside of the cooled compartment, so heat doesn't come into it from anywhere. Leaving gaps provides access for heat. Similarly, leaving entire panels uncovered means they become sources of rapid heat gain; you'll want to completely cover all sides and the bottom of the compartment.

If your glove box is like mine, the top is open. You'll want a way to keep it closed, or it'll be like leaving the refrigerator door open: heat will come in the top, or cool air will go out. The guy who did the Corolla had a lid on his console, and you'll want one on your glovebox. A simple plastic panel on yours -- with insulation on the inside -- would do just fine: open glovebox, lift lid, get beverage. I don't think the lid has to fit tightly; I notice the original project designer decided he needed a few airholes to allow heat to escape. Since hot air rises, a few gaps around the lid might be just perfect.

Neat project -- good luck with it!

My glovebox is closed. The only holes are where the clip for the door latch is, and the area where the door meets the glovebox with the hinges. I was considering like a spray-type insulation, but I didn't find anything that was cheap and easy.

Originally Posted by freeflashstuff

My glovebox is closed. The only holes are where the clip for the door latch is, and the area where the door meets the glovebox with the hinges. I was considering like a spray-type insulation, but I didn't find anything that was cheap and easy.

Good that the glovebox is closed.

The problem with the spray foam insulation is control; you can't get a nice, smooth surface without putting in a barriern, and you have to get just the right amount in so it doesn't spread all over and make a huge mess.

What other alternatives do I have, then? I'm using the weatherstripping tape, but there has to be a better way....