have you noticed any cold(er) spots in the VL45 yet? for example the bottom running cooler or one of the sides running cooler? Im trying to gauge where I would put my beer if i were to run the fridge closer to freezing temp without freezing the beer but keeping the icecream frozen lol...
April 2022 rolling out now: check 1st post. 3 Models 25% so far. (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter SharpeCat
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New member here, drawn in by the fridge buy/discussion. With so many people getting different fridges here, right now, I'm hoping to compile detailed info about what is actually being shipped, versus the various minor variations of dimensions and features shown in marketing materials. For instance, on the ICECO website for their JP30/40/50 line, the primary marketing photos show the plug receptacles bumping out from the cooler's tapered shape on the JP30, but flush on the JP40 and JP50. Yet, I've seen a pretty current review on YouTube (by Hobotech) showing it bumping out on the JP40. In an SUV, no big deal in the back of the vehicle, but maybe a big deal if you want it to fit between front and back seats also. And just in general, it's obvious the JP series (unlike the VL series) tapers to bottom dimensions smaller than the widest dimensions in both length and depth, while the dimensioned drawings show straight sides on the 23in length, tapered only on the 13.8 inch depth. One of my cars can fit 21 easily, maybe 22, at the floor between seats, and the full 23 higher up. Short of buying one and seeing if it wedges in OK, it would be great if someone could measure the bottom, and at what heights it needs 21 inches, 22 inches, 23 inches etc. Or if you want to be sainted, see if you can wedge yours into a Prius Prime (mine is 2017, but for any year would be useful to me...I could go look at whatever year you tested yours in and compensate if it changed....they went from seating for 4, to 5 in 2020) behind the passenger seat as-is or if the front passenger seat track were trimmed a little. I could always store a big socket set or something under the cooler, if the taper isn't enough to let it reach the floor. I'm assuming that the VL series dimensions are more accurate due to the square shape, but if anyone notices anything different from the marketing materials and drawings, or anything not mentioned which you feel important, I'd be happy to be the person to keep track of all that and post the details once we have it all figured out. I must say that ICECO does provide better drawings and dimensions than most other brands out there, but it's still scary to plunk down money for anything that's a close call, with conflicting info.
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- #663
I know there are colder spots, but I forget which area specifically. That’s funny I was just talking about this last night during the stream; that I’ve tried many temp settings to find a sweet spot between cool Drinks and ice cream (or at least a milkshake consistency ice cream). I’m hoping someone else will try and find a way, but I concede to the fact that you either have ice cream in a single zone, or you have beer (or water in my case). With water it can work since a partially frozen water is like having ice water, but a partially frozen beer may lose some fizziness and taste a little stale.
With that said, I have ice cream and enough water to fill the fridge up with the rest of the space, as well as a vl45; I will test it overnight for you and check. I imagine that If you don’t open the fridge for long enough, that everything will be thoroughly frozen. I can test to see if any area can stay “warm” enough to survive a night or day in “ice cream mode” though. Will report back.
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- Thread starter
- #664
I’m hoping some of our members with JPs can chime in here, as I do not have one. I can tell you that the JPs are limited in supply and will be replaced by the TRs in the near future, and for that reason we cannot guarantee availability for our group buy; I will try my best to get us some if they have any to offer when coupon is active again.
I do have a TR that got here yesterday, and I will post specs from manual as well as manually double check them. It is a 60 liter but there are specs for the 45 liter in the manual as well (dimensions). If the 60 liter dimensions are accurate, then I assume the 45 will be as well. If the 45 dimensions are accurate, then I’m hoping it will give you insight/scale for comparison, as it seems they are similarly/identically shaped.
I actually do remember from last nights stream that the TR45 and 60 are same width and length, and only difference is the TR60 is taller. Here is the whole manual while I’m at it.
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ccasteel
SILVER Star
@SharpeCat When you get a chance, confirm those measurements. I have been waiting on the TR and hoping it was close to the JP dimensions. And now I think it may be slightly too wide to fit where I wanted it.
And do I also understand correctly that the TR is consuming roughly twice the power of the VL according to your test results posted in #655?
And do I also understand correctly that the TR is consuming roughly twice the power of the VL according to your test results posted in #655?
this is true. the JP30 has a bump
there's not much of a taper on my JP30, and the length (23in) doesn't take into account the bump that's about 1 inch
don't have a prius to test on but hope that helps a bit
- Thread starter
- #667
Yes, but that was a brief test. It’s been raining since late last night so I am waiting for rain to pass to do a more thorough test. I will measure it during the test stream as well.
Any interior shots of the VL series yet? lets see that compressor!
I imagine the 60 looks pretty similar... thx for posting!
- Thread starter
- #671
Yeah sorry it’s been raining for a couple days and I haven’t done anything but sleep and play games while waiting for it to pass. I miss the sun. Thanks @honghai66 For posting!
And yes, they are all pretty similar. My guess is the 60 will have a larger condenser core and that’s about it. I base this on the TR60 having almost same components except with a different wiring harness (less electronics in the TRs) and a bigger condenser core.
edit: the sun came out for the first time literally a few seconds ago after I posted lol. Time to go to The gym and set up the power test stream!
So I'm totally new at any kind of video taking / editing, but getting a 12v fridge is kind of exciting. So I made a video...sort of practice (if you will). Anyway, don't judge me. Or do, and let me know what I could have done better. My wife said I sound like a late night community college professor.
- Thread starter
- #673
Nice! Very insightful.
That’s nice that you got the JP! After the VL and TR comparison is done I’m sending you the TR for a TR and JP side by side!. We should work together on a checklist so that our videos are consistent and so that we cover all the important parts, while keeping it as brief and to the point as possible. And so that we don’t end up repeating each other too much.
I’ll do what I can to start a checklist and feel free to add to it. I’ll edit as we go and use it as a reference for the livestream so that I dont talk myself in circles. Keep in mind I am just laying down initial thoughts and will not cover nearly everything, but hopefully enough to get Us on the same page.
Initial Unboxing/First Impressions
- packaging
- weight
- dimensions
- included in box
- shipping time? (Mileage may vary so maybe not?)
- Initial plug in/brief power consumption test (wattage at max versus eco, compressor on vs off)
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Detailed test (takes more time And )
- Initial cooling test (ambient to freezing, empty fridge)
- sustained power consumption test at various degrees (0, 10, 20, 30 and 40) and with fridge filled. I’m thinking maybe 2 hours at each will give us a good idea?
- battery protection (I do not have a way to test this at the moment)
Comparison of 2 models (you will be the first one of us to have the old and New JP/TRs side by side)
- power consumption
- weight
- dimensions
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Works for me. Happy to help in any way that I can.
- Thread starter
- #675
Ok so I got fresh batteries for the wireless mic so no more funny business with sound. Going live now to do quick measurements (double checking dimensions in manual) and then initial cooling (ambient to freezing) power consumption test.
Here is how it looks in a 200, and I’m taking it apart real quick on stream to snap internal pictures before plugging it in to cool for the first time.
Here is how it looks in a 200, and I’m taking it apart real quick on stream to snap internal pictures before plugging it in to cool for the first time.
- Thread starter
- #676
Just got done with initial cooling power-consumption test for DC Power.
It took almost exactly 1 hour to go from 60 degrees Fahrenheit to freezing (0 degrees).
Will do same test for AC power tomorrow, after i let fridge go back to ambient temp of 60.
I will say that even though the TR consumes power at a faster rate (70-80 watts in max mode w/compressor on, versus 30-50 for the VL45), that it is actually a good thing if it also cools at a faster rate. In the end, you may be spending the same amount of Watt Hours, but one gets there faster. I imagine this logic would apply to sustained power consumption as well, meaning that the TR may use more when compressor kicks on, but because it cools faster, that the compressor won't need to stay on as long. Basically, my point is, using more watts when compressor is on does not necessarily translate into consuming more power when looking at the bigger picture/long-running average.
Also, another thing that offsets the higher peak watt use, is the fact that in idle/compressor off mode, this thing can drop as low as 1 watts usage. Now, i will say that i have NOT tested the VL45 with DC, but with AC the idle consumption never dropped below 6ws. After you factor in the faster cooling when compressor is on and the lower idle usage, that in the end it may not make much of a difference that one uses 40 and other 70watts when compressor is on. Remember it is the same exact compressor, so i imagine that the amount of power used will always scale with how fast it cools.
See everyone tomorrow for more tests, and please leave any questions or ideas for me to test here. Thanks again everyone!
It took almost exactly 1 hour to go from 60 degrees Fahrenheit to freezing (0 degrees).
Will do same test for AC power tomorrow, after i let fridge go back to ambient temp of 60.
I will say that even though the TR consumes power at a faster rate (70-80 watts in max mode w/compressor on, versus 30-50 for the VL45), that it is actually a good thing if it also cools at a faster rate. In the end, you may be spending the same amount of Watt Hours, but one gets there faster. I imagine this logic would apply to sustained power consumption as well, meaning that the TR may use more when compressor kicks on, but because it cools faster, that the compressor won't need to stay on as long. Basically, my point is, using more watts when compressor is on does not necessarily translate into consuming more power when looking at the bigger picture/long-running average.
Also, another thing that offsets the higher peak watt use, is the fact that in idle/compressor off mode, this thing can drop as low as 1 watts usage. Now, i will say that i have NOT tested the VL45 with DC, but with AC the idle consumption never dropped below 6ws. After you factor in the faster cooling when compressor is on and the lower idle usage, that in the end it may not make much of a difference that one uses 40 and other 70watts when compressor is on. Remember it is the same exact compressor, so i imagine that the amount of power used will always scale with how fast it cools.
See everyone tomorrow for more tests, and please leave any questions or ideas for me to test here. Thanks again everyone!
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It could be the TR cools quicker than the VL series due to less insulation or "thermal mass"? Maybe its good to cool quicker in the short run but maybe the VL will win in the long run? haha.. I still havent purchased one yet 
... i cut some VL45 and VL60 templates out of cardboard for size reference and still cant decide...
again thanks for putting work on this thread!
... i cut some VL45 and VL60 templates out of cardboard for size reference and still cant decide... again thanks for putting work on this thread!
TN LX570
SILVER Star
Just wanted to chime in that I received my order for a JP50 without issue. The order was placed on Sept 2, arrived Sept 17. I never received any additional order updates after the initial confirmation email. Unit arrived packaged exactly the same as @CowboyTaco s video above. Placed water bottles in it that night (in the house), and they were frozen the next morning. So far so good. Thanks @SharpeCat for your time and coordination.
- Thread starter
- #679
Sweet. Thanks brother much appreciated!
SharpeCat, you're doing great work for us all. Eagerly watching for longer term test results between the VL and TR. But if I'm being honest that VL45 has my heart. Did I read somewhere back in the thread that another discount code is opening up for the late-comers?
