Penguin Cold Therapy Chiller & Insulated Tub

Description

NOTE: Shipping is calculated at checkout for anyone in the lower 48 US states. If you live in Alaska, Canada, or Mexico, please contact me for a shipping quote. If you live in Hawaii, you must hire a freight forwarder to get this product there.

PLUG & PLAY – NO TOOLS NEEDED

Package includes:

1. 100-gallon insulated tub
   – External dimensions: 54″W x 31″D x 32″H
   – Internal dimensions: 43.5″W x 24.5″D x 24″H
   – weight empty: 91 lbs
   – weight with water filled to cold plunge height (about 3/4 full): ~625 lbs
2. Attached filter canister with a 150-micron washable filter*
3. 3/4HP Cold Therapy Chiller with built-in pump
4. Quick connect hoses

Overview

Whether you are new to cold therapy or a seasoned pro, you are likely doing it for the benefits that exposure to cold offers rather than the physical workout you’ll get from lugging all the ice needed to keep up with it. Let’s face it – keeping up with the amount of ice needed to keep an ice bath cold can get to be quite the burden.  Our chiller will effortlessly keep your ice bath cold, leading to more consistent and frequent usage. Make the most out of your ice bath by turning it into an iceless bath!

The chiller can bring your water down to 40F – 44F and down to 36F – 39F with the right conditions.  Ambient temps and sun exposure account for most of the heat load on a cold therapy tub (your body heat is insignificant compared to the sun).  Reducing the external heat load will improve chiller performance.  Low to mid-40s should be possible with about 100 gallons of water, even in full sun or less-than-ideal conditions.

Cost to Run (lower than most expect):

At $0.12/KWh, the monthly cost of operation should be around $15-$25/month.  The compressor and fan only turn on when cooling is needed, once the water reaches your set point, they turn off, and only the low-wattage pump continues to run.

A common question we get revolves around setting the chiller up on a timer. Ideally, you’ll want to keep the water cold at all times. There are a few reasons for this –

1. Cold water helps control bacteria (slimy walls) by slowing their growth.  This reduces the amount of maintenance needed to keep your water clean for longer periods of time.   This means less frequent water changes and lower sanitizer levels can be used.
2. If you are using it regularly, the amount of potential power savings will be fairly insignificant; the heat it would gain in the “off” period still needs to be removed when you turn it back on. So, if running normally costs $18-$28/month, you might be able to save $1-$3/month. However, you will have to change the water and the filter more often, so it is unlikely to save much money.
3. When you cut power to the chiller, you also cut power to the pump.  Pumps get the most wear and tear during startup; that’s when a pump is most likely to fail as well. Cycling the power to the chiller adds unnecessary wear and tear to the pump.

Chiller Specs:

• • 3/4HP High-Efficiency Chiller
  • 7,500 BTU/hr
  • 56 dBA (fairly quiet)
  • 110 – 120 Volts / 450 Watts / 3.9 Amps
  • 14”W x 20”D x 12”H
  • 52 Pounds
  • Built-in Pump
  • 10′ power cord with GFCI protection
  • Weather rated for outdoor use (above-freezing ambient temps only)
  • 1-Year Product Warranty
  • Proudly made in the USA

Tub Material & Compatibility

The tub is made from Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE).

Compatibility testing was performed at temperatures of 68°F (20°C) and 122°F (50°)C for 7 days and 30 days with very high concentrations of chemicals.  These chemicals are even less reactive at the colder temperatures used in ice baths/cold plunges.

Chlorine
LDPE was tested with a 10% solution of chlorine. The chlorine level recommended for sanitizing water is 1 – 5 ppm, which is 1,000 to 5,000 times less than the 10% solution used for testing. Constant exposure caused no damage, and LDPE may tolerate exposure (at 10%) for years.
OK to use – Yes

H2O2 (hydrogen peroxide)
Testing was done with H2O2 diluted to 10%
When used as a sanitizer for water, diluted H2O2 is 10 to 30 times less than the 10% solution used in testing.
OK to use – Yes

Ozone
With a strong ozone concentration (which was not specified), the effect may be cracking, loss of strength, or discoloration.
The concentration of ozone used for water sanitation is very small compared to the amounts used for testing.
OK to Use – undetermined. Might be OK, but proceed with caution.

Replacement Filters

You can order any 2.5″ x 10″ replacement filter. I recommend 20-50 micron pleated filters for better water flow.

Maintenance

The inside of the tub should be wiped down once every few weeks to prevent it from getting slippery, which is caused by algae buildup. The filter should be cleaned or replaced as needed, typically once every 1 to 4 weeks. Showering before getting in, wiping your feet, and not wearing gels, lotions, etc. will help extend the filter’s life.

Shipping

These products will be shipped directly from Penguin Chillers, and they will send you a tracking number as soon as it ships

Filter Note

Penguin just started using a smaller filter housing with a 3D-printed washable filter. We do not have pictures yet, but it will be a smaller canister than the one pictured.