Frequently Asked Questions
Choosing your setup
Should I get the complete kit, the tub, or just the chiller?
Three ways in, depending on what you already own.
- Nothing yet: the complete kit at $999. Tub, 1/2 HP chiller, upgraded pump and pre-assembled plumbing.
- You already have a tub, barrel or stock tank: just the chiller at $500. It is the part that does the work.
- You want to start on ice: the XL inflatable tub at $400. Chiller ports are built in, so you can add cooling later without buying a new tub.
What size chiller do I need?
For a home plunge under 130 gallons, 1/2 HP is the right size. Smaller units exist and are cheaper, but they run at their limit to hold temperature, which costs you in power and compressor life. See the 1/3 vs 1/2 HP answer below.
Will I fit?
The tub is 98 gallons and fits users up to 6'7" sitting in a full recline with legs extended, not squatting with your knees at your chest.
How much space do I need?
Roughly 5 ft by 6 ft for the complete kit, which includes airflow room for the chiller. The tub alone is 59" long, 32" wide and 28" high.
Can I use it indoors, outdoors, or on a balcony?
All three, on a flat surface, protected from direct rain, plugged into a GFCI outlet. Filled, it weighs about 750 lbs, so check the load rating on elevated decks and balconies. Concrete, patios and ground floors are fine.
Can I move it or take it with me?
Yes, and that is most of the point. Drain it, deflate it, and the tub packs into the included backpack. The chiller is a two-hand carry. Figure about 20 minutes to break the whole setup down. A rigid tub arrives on a freight truck and stays exactly where the driver left it.
The chiller
What is the real difference between 1/3 and 1/2 HP?
Not how cold it gets. Both will reach 39°F. The difference is how hard each one works to get there and hold it.
A 1/3 HP unit has no margin. It pulls down slowly, then runs close to flat out to stay at temperature. That means more hours on the compressor, more noise, and a higher power bill for the same water. Runtime is what kills compressors, which is why budget chillers tend to go in year two.
A 1/2 HP has headroom. It cools faster, cycles less, and spends most of its life idling rather than straining.
In a hot garage the gap is obvious, because a 1/3 HP unit stops holding temperature altogether once ambient passes about 85°F. In a mild one it is quieter, but it is still there on your power bill and in how long the unit lasts.
What size tub can it cool?
Up to about 130 gallons at 39°F. Two things move that number: insulation and ambient temperature. A well-insulated tub in a shaded garage is easy work. An uninsulated stock tank in full sun is not, and you should size down. If you are near the limit, an insulated cover does more for you than any other upgrade.
How long does it take to cool 100 gallons from 70°F to 39°F?
Roughly 3 hours from a cold start. You only do that once. After the first pulldown the chiller is topping up small losses, not repeating the whole job.
Will it work with my stock tank, barrel, chest freezer or hot tub shell?
Yes to all of those, as long as you stay under 130 gallons. It does not care what the vessel is made of. It needs water in and water out, nothing else.
The two things that catch people are volume and insulation. Metal stock tanks shed cold quickly, so shade or wrap yours if you can.
My tub has no ports. How do I connect it?
Two options. Run both hoses over the rim, which needs no modification and is what most stock tank owners do. Or fit a bulkhead through the wall for a permanent install.
Over the rim works fine. Keep the pump fully submerged and keep the return line below the water surface so it does not aerate and splash.
What size are the fittings?
Inlet and outlet are 1/2 inch npt standard thread. If your setup uses a different size, an adapter from any hardware store costs a few dollars.
How cold does it actually get?
Down to 39°F, and it holds there. We sized it to handle high ambient temperatures, so it keeps pulling when lighter units start losing ground in summer.
Is it loud?
It is quiet enough for a garage, patio or home gym. It is a compressor, so you will hear it running, but it is closer to a fridge than an air conditioner.
The tub
Is this just a cheap inflatable pool?
No. It is built with drop-stitch construction, the same material used in rigid inflatable boats and high-end paddleboards. Thousands of internal threads hold two welded sheets together, so at full pressure it goes rock hard. You can sit on the rim, lean on it, and it does not fold.
Will it leak or sag over time?
It should not leak. What you will notice is pressure moving with temperature. Cold night, lower reading in the morning. Hot afternoon, higher. That is air behaving normally, not a fault. Top it up every few weeks, and let a little out if it sits in direct sun all day.
The two things that actually cause damage are grit under the floor and sharp objects, so set it on a clean flat surface. A valve wrench and patches are in the box if you ever need them.
Which chillers fit the ports?
The inlet and outlet are 1/2 inch npt standard thread, so most 1/2 and 1 HP chillers connect directly, including ours. If yours uses a different size, an adapter costs a few dollars. You can also skip the ports entirely and run hoses over the rim.
How do I inflate it?
With the included double-action floor pump, about five minutes. Inflate until the gauge reads 11 PSI. If it still feels soft, keep pumping. Under-inflation is the single most common reason an inflatable feels cheap.
Can I use it with ice instead of a chiller?
Yes. Leave the ports capped and fill it with ice. The five-layer insulation means your ice lasts noticeably longer than it would in a single-layer tub. You can add a chiller whenever you want without replacing the tub.
Setup
How long does setup take?
About 30 minutes for the complete kit, 10 minutes for the tub on its own, and about 15 minutes to add the chiller to a tub you already own.
What the assembly video for you Temp Drop Cold Plunge here: https://youtu.be/7sjIyQ194dk
Do I need tools or plumbing skills?
No. Hoses arrive cut to length with the manifold assembled and quick-connect fittings fitted. Nothing to glue, saw or source. Hand-tight is tight enough.
What do I need to supply?
A garden hose, one standard 110V GFCI outlet, and a flat surface. That is it.
Do I need a special outlet or an electrician?
No. Standard 110V household outlet, GFCI protected. No 220V, no new circuit.
Running it
How do I keep the water clean?
Test every 3 to 4 days and treat weekly. Use our water maintenance kit which includes everything you need. Rinse the pleated filter weekly, and always run a filter before the chiller inlet to catch hair and debris. Change the water every 4 to 6 weeks depending on use. Keep the cover locked when you are not in it, which blocks the sunlight that causes algae.
What maintenance does the chiller need?
Very little. Vacuum dust off the intake vents once a month so it can breathe, keep a filter in front of the inlet, and keep your water chemistry balanced to prevent scale building up inside the heat exchanger.
Can I leave it outside in winter?
Outdoors is fine year round in non-freezing climates. Do not leave it full through a hard freeze.
How often should I plunge, and for how long?
Most people do three to five minutes, most days. Start shorter and warmer than you think you need to and work down. If you have a heart condition, are pregnant, or have any medical concern, talk to your doctor before starting. Cold exposure is not a medical treatment.
Ordering, shipping and returns
Do you offer free shipping?
Yes, free to the lower 48 on everything. Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico are quoted at checkout.
How long does delivery take?
Orders are processed within 24 hours. The tub and chiller arrive in about 5 to 7 business days.
Why does the complete kit ship in three boxes?
Because moving a 40 lb chiller across the country into a warehouse and back out again costs a few hundred dollars and improves nothing. The chiller and tub ship to you straight from the manufacturer, and the connection kit ships from our bench in San Diego. Three parcels, three tracking numbers, no freight truck, and no delivery window you have to stay home for.
Can I pay monthly?
Yes. Shop Pay Installments splits it into four interest-free payments, or from about $90 a month on the complete kit. You will see the options at checkout.
What is your return policy?
30 days. If it is not right for you, email us and we will arrange it. For hygiene reasons we cannot take back a tub that has been filled with water, so inflate and inspect yours before you fill it.
What is the warranty?
One year on the chiller, covering the mechanics. The tub carries a 30-day arrival guarantee against manufacturing defects rather than a long-term wear warranty, so inspect it as soon as it lands.
Something arrived damaged. What do I do?
Photograph the box and the unit and email support@tempdroplabs.com straight away. We will file the carrier claim and arrange a replacement.
Who am I actually buying from?
A small family business in San Diego, California. We cut, assemble and pressure test the connection kits by hand here. When you email support, you get us.
Can you build a custom setup?
Usually, yes. Bigger tubs, longer hoses, different fittings. Send us what you have in mind through the contact page.