Iceco JP50 vs VL45? 21 Helpful Facts to Make Your Choice!

Iceco jp50 vs vl45.  The main differences I’ve found between these two flagship portable refrigerators of Iceco are

Both are awesome, but here’s a detailed comparison between JP50 and VL45 so that you can pick the perfect one for your SUV or RV camper and enjoy your favorite dessert.

1. Unboxing the Iceco JP50 and Iceco VL45.

Iceco JP50, Unboxing this 12V refrigerator, you’ll get

Iceco VL45, On the other hand, unboxing the Iceco VL45, you’ll find

So, the primary packaging difference between Iceco jp50 vs vl45,

2. Internal and External Design with Dimensions

The Iceco JP50 is a plastic build, but it’s so rugged. On the other hand, the Iceco VL45 is a fully metallic build, so it’s slightly heavy.

Iceco JP50 

External Dimension- 20.9″ (H) x 23″ (L) x 13.8″ (W)

Internal Dimension – 

• Compartment 1 – 18″ (H) X 15″ (L) X 11″ (W)
• Compartment 2 – 12″ (H) X 6″ (L) X 11″ (W)

When the door remains open, the total height is around 40 inches.

JP50 has two separate compartments inside, as I’ve mentioned their dimension. The larger compartment is mainly the refrigerator, and you can use it as a freezer. 

The smaller compartment becomes cold by the air circulation from the large compartment so that it could be used as a fridge. Additionally, the smaller compartment’s temperature remains 8°F higher than the larger one. 

Iceco JP50 has a detachable carrying handle with springs attachment. Even in heavy jarking, the handle won’t move. 

Inside Iceco JP50, you’ll find a BLUE LIGHT that gets turned ON/OFF along with opening/closing the door. There’s no physical switch for the light, and it works with a magnetic sensor. 

I’ve found it helpful in darkness, but the blue light feels slightly harsh to my eyes.

Top of this Iceco JP50 12V Refrigerator, you’ll find the control panel with a LED. The control panel contains:

• A power button.
• A settings button for max or eco mode.
• Temperature up/down buttons.

At the footpoint of the Iceco JP50 DC refrigerator, you’ll find on sequence the

• AC Power input
• 15 amp fuse
• DC 12V/24V power input
• A toggle switch for battery protection.

I’ll briefly explain the battery protection below in this article.

Iceco VL45:

External Dimension- 27.2″ L X 14.72″ W X 17.5″ H

Internal Dimension – 25″ L X 12″ W X 15″ H

When the door remains open, the total height of vl45 is around 41 inches.

Iceco VL45 is a single compartment refrigerator with the internal dimension I’ve mentioned above. Here’s no separator like the JP50. But, as the compressor is placed at the bottom panel of the right corner, you will find a 6-inch slope like the following picture where I’ve kept two bottles.

Iceco VL45 also contains a magnetic controlled night light that is white and seems better to me compared to the JP50.

The Control panel and ports of the Iceco VL45 portable refrigerator remain at the right bottom portion. Here you’ll find

• A power button
• Temperature UP/Down Button
• MAX/MIN power button
• A Battery protection button to preset low/mid/high level
• And a LED

In Port panels, you’ll find 

• 12V/24V DC input
• 15 Amps Breaker
• 120~240V AC input

The carrying handle of Iceco VL45 remains permanently attached to the chassis and isn’t detectable like the JP50 model. Also, it has an integrated spring to keep it stuck with the body. Any off-road jarking won’t shake any components of this 12V refrigerator at all.

However, you may have noticed; the iceco vl45 does have a door lock. While using at home, you won’t require to keep the door locked. But while traveling with a camper van, the locks will protect the door from any heavy jarking. As well as curious pets won’t be able to open it.

3. Temperature Ranges and Fluctuation 

Iceco JP50 Temperature Range = -7℉～50℉(-22℃～+10℃)

Iceco VL45 Temperature Range = 0°F to 50°F(-18℃~10℃)

As you’ve noticed, the JP50 portable refrigerator offers a lower temperature range than VL45. 

But, the fact is this both the 12V refrigerator contains the same compressor called SECOP BD35F. 

Another fascinating matter is, though the temperature range of JP50 is better, the VL45 makes ICE faster. This means the cooling speed of VL45 is better than JP50.

Frankly, 0°F and -7℉ isn’t a big issue for frozen foods, beverages, ice creams, or kitchen stuff. 

Though, if you need to carry medicines, then the Iceco JP50’s lowest temperature might be slightly helpful to you.

Both of the refrigerators have temperature Fluctuations, and it’s natural. As the compressor is designed consumes power as low as possible.

The JP50’s compressor gets turned OFF once it reaches the preset temperature and restarts when the temperature raises by 6°F in MAX mode and 9°F in ECO mode.

On the other hand, the VL45 compressor acts similarly but gets a startup when the temperature raises by 5°F in MAX and 7°F in Min setup. 

So, the temperature fluctuation is less in VL45 than in the JP50. 

4. Are they Frost or Non-Frost?

Technically, the Iceco JP50 and VL45 are “frosts,” as there’s no integrated NON-FROST mechanism like a household refrigerator.  

But, while using both of these mini-refrigerators, you hardly find any frost layer inside them. If you use them in MAX power and set the temperature at the minimum, then a tiny ice layer might appear.

Note: You need to clean the ice layer if it becomes around 4mm thick; otherways you’ll experience a performance drop.

5. ECO Mode Experiences

The Iceco JP50 has a MAX and ECO setup, and the VL45 has MAX and MIN settings instead of ECO, but both functionalities are the same.

The eco or min buttons allow the compressor to spin slowly and consume power as little as possible.

With these ECO / MIN setups, you’ll still have access to the wide temperature range, but the temperature will decrease slowly.

6. Build Quality and Materials

Iceco JP50’s external chassis is a hard plastic build, and it’s too rugged. The insider wall is a white-colored metal plate. The carrying handle is solid, and metal builds, and as I’ve shown, it’s detachable.  

One interesting fact is, you will find the plastic chassis almost scratch and dent-proof.

However, caring for the JP50 is more comfortable than the VL45.

On the other hand, Iceco VL45 is fully metal built, and the insider wall is covered with a steel layer. 

The carrying handle is strong but isn’t as comfortable as the JP50.

Additionally, a hard push might create a dent in the VL45’s chassis both from inside and outside.

7. Which one’s door do I prefer more?

In which direction the doors open is a significant fact when traveling with SUVs or RVs.

As you can see, the JP50’s door opens from a corner, and the VL45’s door opens from the side. 

While you place them at the back hatch of an SUV, then opening JP50 will be easier than VL45, especially if you put it on a slider.

On the other hand, if you want to use the RV camper’s refrigerator, VL45’s operation will be slightly easier.

8. Rated Voltage, Watts, and Starter Power Consumption

The Iceco JP50 consumes 55 Watt ~60Watt in MAX mode. On startup, it hits 60W, then gradually falls over 55W.

On ECO mode, JP50 consumes 50W when the compressor is running. On startup, it takes 55W and drops to 50W within a while.

On the other hand, the Iceco VL45 consumes 85W on startup in the MAX setup. Then it drops at 79W~80W. 

On Min power setup, it draws 75W on startup and drops at 70W gradually.

Both the Iceco JP50 and VL45 run by 16 AWG DC power cables. 

You can operate both of the models with a 100 Watt solar panel. 

Here’s an essential tip. DC voltage drops along with increasing the cable length. So while operating inside an RV, SUV, or with a solar panel, try to reduce the power cable length as far as you can.

9. Now, whats about hourly power consumption?

We’ve placed both the Iceco JP50 and VL45 on AC power. The ambient temperature was around 70°F, and we’ve preset the temperature at 32°F.

JP50 at MAX mode

• Compressor ON 20 Minute, Compressor OFF 60 Minute
• Average Power Consumption 7.5 Watts/hour

JP50 at ECO Mode

• Compressor ON 25 Minute, Compressor OFF 55 Minute
• Average Power Consumption 6.5 Watts/hour

VL45 at MAX Mode

• Compressor ON 16 Minute, Compressor OFF 80 Minute
• Average Power Consumption 8.63 Watts/hour

VL45 at Min Mode

• Compressor ON 20 Minute, Compressor OFF 76 Minute
• Average Power Consumption 7.57 Watts/hour

10. Settings for Battery Protection

Both the Iceco JP50 and VL45 offer three-layer battery protection to prevent battery damage to your vehicle. Bellow the chart on how the compressor reacts by battery voltage changes.

Note: The refrigerator’s power is cut out when the battery voltage drops at a certain point. Again, the refrigerator cuts in when the battery voltage gets raised.

Higher the settings, the higher the battery protection.

Iceco JP50 and VL45 with 12V Input:

• Low –  Cut Out at 9.6V, Cut in at 10.9V
• Medium- Cut Out at 10.1V, Cut in at 11.4V
• High- Cut Out at 11.1V, Cut in at 12.4V

Iceco JP50 and VL45 with 24V Input:

• Low – Cut Out at 21.3V, Cut in at 22.7V
• Medium – Cut Out at 22.3V, Cut in at 23.7V
• High – Cut Out at 24.3V, Cut in at 25.7V

11. A brief note on Compressor

Both the Iceco JP50 and VL45 are powered by German build SECOP BD35F compressor, which is the heart of the machine.

The main 3 specialties of the compressor are

• Quiet
• Shake Absorbtion Capability
• Can work remain tilted by 40° angle.

A 120mm fan blows air out to cool the condenser section. 

This feature allows the refrigerator to perform even at a high ambient temperature efficiently.

The whole refrigerator is ultra-quiet and doesn’t sound more than 45 dB. Mostly you’ll be able to hear the fan noise. The compressor noise isn’t noticeable at all.

SECOP is producing compressors with 60+ years and is a highly prestigious industry. However, the American brand Danfoss integrate the entire system inside Iceco. So the absolute reliability is top-notch.

12. Which one do I prefer for SUV?

I would prefer the Iceco JP50 model for SUV, as it’s better operational from the back hatch.

Additionally, you can attach an optional slider, but it will give you better protection while taking your vehicle through a roading situation.

Most importantly, JP50 remains functional in 40° tilt angle and but the VL45 is advertised for working with a 30° tilt position.

So, while going camping on the mountainside, you won’t face any issues on it.

Another important thing is, the 12V DC socket that comes with the VL45 is like trash. It comes out from the socket when the vehicle feels a heavy jark in the off-road. We haven’t faced any issue with the JP50 in this scenario.

13. Which one is suitable for RVs?

Both are suitable, but my personal preference is the Iceco VL45.

Cause it’s slightly high powered than JP50, and any RV is capable of supplying it. If you go for a couple of days trip with your RVs, easily you can store sufficient foods and beverages for two peoples. 

Additionally, as the VL45 works faster, you can prepare ICE, Juices, icecreams and any of your feverous deserts quicker than JP50.

14. Off-Roading Experience 

Both the Iceco JP50 and VL45 are great for an off-roading experience, but here are a few facts.

JP50 has no door lock, and if you accidentally keep it slightly open, a rocky road might open the fridge door and spills your food.

VL45’s door has a secure lock, so you’ll be safe on this aspect.

The JP50 and VL45 perform well on a shaky vehicle, but JP50 can tolerate more tilt angles. So while climbing on a hillside road, JP50 will perform better than the VL45.

VL45 is heavier than JP50, so VL45 remains more steady on the floor. But if you place them on a slider, both will be secured enough for any off-road condition.

15. Which one remains protected under heavy rain?

None of them are waterproof but, it means you cant sink them underwater. But rainwater or any water splash won’t cause harm to your portable refrigerator.

So, from this aspect, both the Iceco JP50 and VL45 are safe and secured.

More specifically, if water doesn’t enter from the compressor vents, the refrigerator will be completely safe and secured.

16. Which one offers better portability?

Of Course, the Iceco JP50.

If you look at the handle closely, you’ll be able to identify the fact.

If you require better portability and higher power than the Iceco VL45, you may consider the VL45 Pro model, which comes with an improved carrying handle similar to the JP50.

Additionally, JP50 is lighter in weight than the VL45.

17. Performance as fridge or freezer?

One thing to clear, both the Iceco JP50 and VL45 are single compartment refrigerators, though the JP50 has a secondary compartment that isn’t functional.

Both of the items are useable as a fridge and a freezer as they have a wide temperature range. But you can’t get the fridge and freezer together to any of these models.

Now, if you choose the Iceco JP50, you have an Advantage!

As the JP50 has a secondary compartment and there’s no cooling coil. The secondary chamber’s temperature remains 8°F~10°F above the primary case. So you may use the primary one as a freezer and the second one as a fridge.

18. Refrigerant Gas

Both the Iceco JP50 and VL45 use CFC-free R134a refrigerant. 

As air insulation, both of them use C-pentene.

Hardly, any users require to charge the gas to the compressor after a long term use.  

19. Errors and Troubleshoot

Both the Iceco JP50 and VL45 contain a digital LED panel to show any internal errors, and those look like these.

E1 – Battery protection cut out.

E2 – Fan over-current cut out.

E3- Motor Start Error

E4- Minimum motor speed error

E6- Thermal cut out of the electronic unit.

If any of these occurs in your portable refrigerator, you may solve it following the guideline of the user’s manual.

20. Repairability and Warranty

Iceco offers 5 years of compressor warranty and 1 year of parts for both the JP50 and VL45 models.

Hardly any defect occurs with these units unless you drop it from a decent height or any accidental jarking takes place. Generally, gas leakage might occur, which is repairable and doesn’t cost much.

Even you need to replace any parts that are also possible as all the parts are sphere available.

21. FAQ of Iceco JP50 and Iceco VL45