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+--- Thema: Arc Raiders Cooling Coil Guide (/thread-290.html)
Arc Raiders Cooling Coil Guide - StitchedWhisper - 28.01.2026
What is the Cooling Coil?
The Cooling Coil is classified as a Rare item in Arc Raiders. In gameplay terms, that means it’s not something you’ll find in every crate, but it’s also not a one-off drop. Its main use is as a recyclable material that can be turned into crafting components.
In practice, this means the Cooling Coil isn’t usually something you equip directly. Instead, players gather it to recycle for Chemicals and Steel Springs, which are used in upgrading weapons, armor, and gadgets. If you’re farming for upgrades, Cooling Coils become surprisingly important because they give you higher-value materials than common items.
Where Can You Find Cooling Coils?
Based on my experience and common scavenging patterns, Cooling Coils mostly spawn in Industrial zones. Specific sources that consistently drop them include:
Car Hoods
Bus Rear Trunks
Mobile Generators
Metal Breach Crates
Car Tool Cabinets
Industrial Drawers
From what I’ve seen, crates and drawers inside industrial buildings have the highest drop chance. You don’t need to check every car hood or generator, but focusing on dense industrial areas will save you a lot of time.
A key tip is that players often ignore Mobile Generators, thinking they just give electronics or common components. I’ve gotten multiple Cooling Coils from them in a single run. Similarly, Industrial Drawers are small, but if you clear a whole building, you can often net two or three coils without extra effort.
How Does Recycling the Cooling Coil Work?
Recycling is where the Cooling Coil really shines. If you recycle a Cooling Coil, you get:
6× Chemicals
2× Steel Springs
If you salvage it instead, you only get 2× Steel Springs. In practical terms, recycling is almost always better because the Chemicals are harder to come by and are needed for mid-to-late game upgrades.
Most players tend to salvage by default because it seems faster, but if your goal is crafting for upgrades, always recycle rare items like Cooling Coils. The extra Chemicals make it worth the few seconds of extra clicks.
How Many Should I Carry?
A Cooling Coil has a weight of 2.0 and a stack size of 3. That means you can only carry three per slot, and each adds a noticeable load. In Industrial areas, it’s usually fine to carry two full stacks before your inventory feels cramped.
A practical strategy is to focus on a few stacks per run, then recycle them back at base. Trying to hoard too many rarely gives extra benefit because you’re limited by inventory space and the stacking mechanic.
Is it Worth Buying or Trading?
Some players wonder if it’s worth buying items instead of scavenging. While most Cooling Coils are found via scavenging, it is sometimes possible to buy Arc Raiders Bobcat blueprint items from trading channels or marketplaces. The connection here is that Bobcat blueprints often require similar materials, including Steel Springs and Chemicals. Buying these blueprints indirectly reduces the grind for Cooling Coils, especially if you’re short on time.
In my experience, farming the coils yourself is still more reliable than relying on trading, but if you’re trying to complete a specific build quickly, buying related blueprints can help you get the resources faster.
Common Player Behavior With Cooling Coils
Here are a few patterns I’ve noticed from regular players:
Skipping industrial zones early – Many new players focus on open roads or residential areas. Cooling Coils mostly spawn in industrial spots, so ignoring these zones means missing out on rare materials.
Salvaging by default – As mentioned, salvaging only gives Steel Springs. Recycling gives both Steel Springs and Chemicals. Experienced players almost always recycle.
Stack mismanagement – Because stack size is three, inexperienced players often leave coils behind thinking they can carry more than they actually can. Always check inventory before leaving a building.
Over-farming single sources – A lot of players camp one car hood or generator. Drops are random, so moving through multiple spawn points usually yields more coils per run.
Practical Tips for Farming Cooling Coils
Map industrial zones – Know where generators, buses, and tool cabinets spawn. A single cleared building can net you two or three coils without heavy travel.
Prioritize recycling at base – Don’t hold onto coils unnecessarily. Chemicals and Steel Springs are used so often that recycling as soon as possible avoids clutter.
Combine farming with other objectives – Since Industrial zones often have other valuable loot, you can pick up Cooling Coils on the way to mission objectives or resource runs.
Watch inventory weight – With each coil weighing 2 units, you’ll hit your inventory cap faster than expected. Prioritize rare items like coils over common scraps.
Cooling Coils in Arc Raiders are small but valuable pieces of the crafting puzzle. They’re easy to miss if you’re not looking in the right places, and many players undervalue them by salvaging instead of recycling. Focusing on Industrial areas, carrying a manageable stack, and recycling consistently will give you a steady supply of Chemicals and Steel Springs, which are critical for upgrades.
Even if you decide to supplement your farming with purchases, like choosing to buy Arc Raiders Bobcat blueprint items, understanding how Cooling Coils work ensures you’re not wasting resources or time.
In short: know where to look, carry smart, and recycle consistently. That’s how the best players make Cooling Coils work for them in every run.
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