Thank you. I called and finally got Lu realtime. He was super happy to assist and built a discount for me in realtime. Order placed and dreaded wait starts.
Thank you SharpeCat. Appreciate all your efforts in setting this up and guidance.
April 2022 rolling out now: check 1st post. 3 Models 25% so far.
- Thread starter SharpeCat
- Start date
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Thank you. I called and finally got Lu realtime. He was super happy to assist and built a discount for me in realtime. Order placed and dreaded wait starts.
Thank you SharpeCat. Appreciate all your efforts in setting this up and guidance.
- Thread starter
- #642
I can answer this this week, as I plan on comparing the capacity of both the VL45 and the TR60. I will take all the baskets in and fill both fridges up. I’m thinking Wednesday since tomorrow will be unboxing and taking it apart to inspect internals. I can take the VL45 apart again as well and do a side by side comparison, and hopefully won’t forget pictures for @Miloslavich this time!
- Thread starter
- #643
Sweet, thanks for the update and feedback brother. Much appreciated!
yea ide assume it would fit will in the LX470 due to the larger cargo. Im worried it might be a bit too large for the GX470... however if i were to get the VL60 single than its smaller. hmm decisions..
Next time my buddy stops by ill put the Vl60 in his Gx
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- Thread starter
- #649
I still can't get over how cool that GO20 is! Thanks for sharing bud.
@NYC570 Thanks for the update! I'm glad it got sorted and i apologize for the delay.
So, i just checked tracking and the Fridge is here! Will be live soon @ Twitch.tv/Sharpecat.
Today's stream will be unboxing and taking it apart to see internals of both VL45/TR60 for comparison, then i will do an initial cooling/getting up to 32 F power-consumption test for the TR. Tomorrow i will take the baskets of both and go fill them up with as much groceries as i can fit into it, as well as do a sustained-consumption test to see how much it uses to maintain 32F; much similar to how we tested the VL45. That's a long stream so i will leave it on before bedtime, then review footage to get an official time stamp if it dies before i wake up.
Anyways, i'll be on soon for anyone who wants to get a first look at the new TR60 model!
At 26 seconds in their video - top, middle, and bottom baskets.
Had seen that too - they offer the middle basket as a $30 accessory (shipping would be interesting).
I also check Alibaba and Aliexpress from time to time looking for this fridge/parts.
Engel makes one that is virtually identical to the base 35L (judging by photos) but for their swing compressor.
I also check Alibaba and Aliexpress from time to time looking for this fridge/parts.
Engel makes one that is virtually identical to the base 35L (judging by photos) but for their swing compressor.
- Thread starter
- #655
Nice! I was worried it wouldn’t get there in time for your deadline, thanks for alleviating that concern! Really glad you like it brother.
So I spent a few hours with the TRs and learned a lot. The coolest thing is the reversible lid, so you can open it from either side.
The wheels are pretty sweet as well; I’d make a custom bracket and put some beefy all terrains on there and call it a day. I imagine anyone rolling up to the beach with a fridge full of cold drinks would be immediately crowned hometown hero; or anywhere really.
Seems power consumption is lower for DC by a decent margin, like 20 difference... I was very surprised and have to do some further testing to account for variance/a fluke. I tested ac and dc on both the VL and TR, and even though the VL used less than last time (maybe because ambient temp much lower?), the TR still used a significant amount more. At similar starting temp, the VL used 32 peak on DC and 48 peak (only few secs) then stayed under 40 when under AC. Meanwhile, the TR stayed at a whopping 71 on DC and 80-82 on AC. These numbers were not quite what I was expecting so I will be doing a lot more tests this week in terms of power consumption.
As far as internals go... I hope screenshots from the stream will do, and short clips... because someone forgot to snap pictures again! Doh! The good news is the internals are similar to that of a VL, as in same exact model SECOP compressor; they make many, and this one is labeled as “heavy duty”, I think. The air condenser is bigger on the TR60 than the VL45, as expected, but the fan, temp sensor, wiring harness, temp/power controls and fuse are similar. I label this as good news because simplicity and interchangeability is a good thing in my book.
On that note, the VL are easier to work on since the displays/controls are also in the same area as the rest of the components, which makes almost everything accessible by removing the side panel. In the TRs the controls are at the top so it’s... very slightly inconvenient. It doesn’t bother me as it’s just 2 extra screws, but I will acknowledge that having everything behind one maintenance panel
Is nice.
Oh and... 60 liters is a lot... I threw Tofu in there for reference (will clip later). I could fit 2 TOFUs (my 1/10 scale rock crawler camera truck) and another 1/10 scale racer in the main tray alone. I can’t even fit 2 TOFUs in the VL45.
Im going to get some rest, please feel free to leave any questions here and I will look into it tomorrow. Thanks everyone!
Update on the damaged VL60 unit: Iceco stated that they were going to send out a replacement lid. I was told that on Sept 2. They sent me a tracking number on Monday Sept 14 after I asked repeatedly for a status. But, the tracking number indicates that a package is being sent to a city some 450 miles from my address. I don't know what's going on. I let them know it's headed in the wrong direction, but haven't received a response. Iceco did reimburse me $40 for the dent. I was ok with that, as long as I also get a replacement lid.
All in all, I've become more dissatisfied with this experience with Iceco as I've had to manage this purchase and keep checking up on status. What worries me a bit is the warranty. If it is this difficult to get a new order resolved, how will it be resolved when I have a warranty claims I'm working with a "faceless and nameless" customer service via email and text messages. I've tried calling Lu a couple times, but can't reach him. I'm not sure if this will all be resolved, but I think we are still in communication. It just shouldn't take this much effort.
All in all, I've become more dissatisfied with this experience with Iceco as I've had to manage this purchase and keep checking up on status. What worries me a bit is the warranty. If it is this difficult to get a new order resolved, how will it be resolved when I have a warranty claims I'm working with a "faceless and nameless" customer service via email and text messages. I've tried calling Lu a couple times, but can't reach him. I'm not sure if this will all be resolved, but I think we are still in communication. It just shouldn't take this much effort.
- Thread starter
- #659
My guess is Lu has been swamped and made a mistake/mixed up the order, and so your replacement lid was shipped from China to an address from another ticket. Did anyone get a lid while waiting on something else?
Only a few members have met Lu in person, and they can vouch for Lu having a face and name. He is only human Though, and we expected some mistakes especially with the heavy load he’s been handling. I’m sorry that you had to be the one for this to fall on. You are right that it shouldn’t take this much effort, and I’m guessing that in Lus mind he took care of this already (he prob doesn’t know still it went to wrong address).
If you give me your order number I will remind him and see if we can get you a replacement lid sent out. Is your current lid at least useable to hold you off?
These things are pretty simply built and although it can be slow at times, we have no reason to believe they won’t honor the warranty. Even if they don’t you can trust me that you can find help right here on this thread; between all the mudders we can easily figure out how to fix everything ourselves if ever needed. I can personally tell you every component that is in your VL and how to access and replace/diagnose/repair it.
With that said, I am working on a way to help in the future. I am going to ask my parents to add IceCo fridges to their inventory, starting with a few hundred units. From there I will personally handle the shipping and taking orders part, to free Lu up to focus on warranty and more important matters. If things work out, I will be able to assist in getting mud members not just great prices, but also improve on a few smaller fronts.
I will reiterate the fact that you are right in that this is more effort than anyone should expect when ordering a new fridge, and I apologize on iceco and Lus behalf (since he’s very busy wrapping up this GB). I do ask that you please try to understand that he is only human, and he does make mistakes. It’s just unfortunate that a mistake like this (sending wrong address to a lid shipping from China), can cause quite a big delay because it took a while to ship/discover the mistake. Like I said just leave your order number and I can take it from here and keep tabs/follow up for you.
Thank you for your time and feedback, I appreciate it.
- Thread starter
- #660
Going to have to look into how to start a poll, but for the sustained power consumption test, what temp would you guys like to see tested? With the VL45, I did 32F.
For the initial cooling, I think I’m going to do ambient temp to freezing (0F), and then clip/document it at various intervals. For example, “it took xx watt hours over 2 hours to go from xx to xx, averaging xx continuous watts”, and document it for 40, 30, 20, 10 and 0 degrees. I can also figure out average watts per degree changed for each tier. I imagine going from 10 to 0 will use up more power than 40 to 30. That’s what I’m thinking so far for the initial cooling test.
Also, for initial cooling, should I fill it with water or test it empty? Empty seems the most fair and easiest to reference later when comparing other models, right?
Thanks for feedback everyone, much appreciated as always!
For the initial cooling, I think I’m going to do ambient temp to freezing (0F), and then clip/document it at various intervals. For example, “it took xx watt hours over 2 hours to go from xx to xx, averaging xx continuous watts”, and document it for 40, 30, 20, 10 and 0 degrees. I can also figure out average watts per degree changed for each tier. I imagine going from 10 to 0 will use up more power than 40 to 30. That’s what I’m thinking so far for the initial cooling test.
Also, for initial cooling, should I fill it with water or test it empty? Empty seems the most fair and easiest to reference later when comparing other models, right?
Thanks for feedback everyone, much appreciated as always!
