What if you could just pick up your ICECO portable 12 Volt refrigerator and take it with you? You can with the ICECO magnetic 12 Volt DC power bank. Just attach it to your ICECO metal refrigerator and power it on-the-go. There’s no need to carry a heavy power station or AC power cord.
We have been using the ICECO PB250 Power Bank with the ICECO VL35 ProS portable refrigerator with great results. It is a great combo setup that has expanded the versatility of our portable refrigerator. Here’s how it works.
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A Better Way to Power Your Portable Refrigerator
Portable refrigerators do not require much power, but they do need a constant 120 Volt AC or 12 Volt DC power source. I’ve used my Jackery Power Station to power my portable refrigerator for years, but now there is a better way to keep my ICECO refrigerator running when away from plug-in power.
ICECO, a well known manufacturer of metal portable refrigerator / freezers, has released a small magnetic power bank to address this problem. The magnetic 12 Volt DC power bank attaches directly to the metal wall of their portable refrigerators.
With the power bank attached, you can simply take the refrigerator anywhere without needing to plug in. Taking your portable refrigerator on a road trip or grocery run has never been easier.
Power Bank Option (PB250)
Paring the VL35 ProS refrigerator with a PB250 Power Bank gives you even more portability and power options. The powerful magnet on the back of the PB250 Power Bank allows it to be attached directly to the side of ICECO metal refrigerators. From there, simply plug the refrigerator into the power station’s 12 Volt DC socket and turn it on.
How long can you power the VL35 ProS from the PB250 Power Bank?
The refrigerator’s temperature setting and ambient temperature will determine how hard the compressor has to work. When the compressor needs more time to cool, it consumes more power. I tested this setup in 70° Fahrenheit conditions and here’s what I found.
- Refrigerator Mode (32°F) – The refrigerator ran for over 28 hours. Increasing the temperature setting will extend the runtime.
- Freezer Mode (0° F)
- The freezer ran for 8 hours in ECO mode
- The freezer ran for 4-6 hours on MAX mode
How long does it take to recharge the PB250 Power Bank?
It takes approximately 4 hours to fully charge the 174Ah battery in the PB250 Power Bank. The power bank supports both 120 Volt AC or 12 Volt DC charging. For fastest charging make sure the refrigerator is disconnected from the power bank.
Does the power bank support pass-through charging? Yes! You can recharge the Power Bank while it is providing power to the refrigerator. The PB250 will recharge at a slower rate in this mode, but it does work to keep the refrigerator connected to the fridge. This is one of the big benefits of this power bank in my opinion.
My preferred setup – Keep the power bank connected to AC or DC power while it is also supplying power to the VL35 fridge. That way the fridge stays powered up with or without input power.
Why the ICECO VL35 ProS Refrigerator Is a Good Choice
The ICECO VL35 ProS is a mid-sized portable refrigerator/freezer. Its smaller size makes it more portable with enough room for several days worth of cold goods. It has all of the features you see in most portable 12 Volt refrigerators. Here are the highlights.
Single Zone
Going with a single vs dual-zone model is a personal choice. Single zone models have a little more room for food, but you have to choose whether to use it as a freezer or as a refrigerator by adjusting the temperature. The ICECO VL35 ProS can maintain a temperature from 0° to 50° Fahrenheit.
TIP: When using it as a freezer, I suggest a setting of 0° F. Otherwise, set the temperature between 30° F and 35° F
Good Mid-Sized Capacity
The VL35 ProS has a 37 quart capacity and can store enough food for a few days. It is neither too big nor too small. It is sized just right and not too big to move between vehicles.
Removable baskets are included which make it easier to load and unload. You may also decide to remove the baskets to free up a little more space.
Metal Enclosure and Build Quality
A solid metal enclosure is one feature that sets ICECO refrigerators apart from others. It feels very sturdy and works with the optional PB250 Magnetic Power Bank.
Handles are located on either side for easy lifting. When not in use, the handles fold down. You can also remove the handles completely for more permanent installations in your camper.
The lid on the VL35 ProS can be raised from either side or removed for quick access. Finally, an LED light illuminates inside the fridge whenever the lid opens.
Power Consumption
The SECOP compressor in the VL35 ProS is very efficient limiting the power draw of the fridge to 45 Watts.
MAX and ECO modes are available to tailor the power consumption to your needs. Both modes will maintain the target temperature, but the ECO mode will cool more gradually to conserve energy.
TIP: Set the fridge to MAX mode (Fast Cooling) until the desired temperature is reached, then switch it to ECO.
MAX mode will maintain frozen temperatures with less temperature fluctuation. ECO mode allows temperature swings of a few degrees to use less energy.
Battery Monitor Modes
The Battery Monitor setting helps prevent the refrigerator from draining your battery. It monitors DC voltage levels and shuts down the refrigerator when the voltage drops below the set value.
The HIGH setting provides the best protection for your battery, while the LOW setting provides the least protection.
TIP: Set the Battery Monitor to HIGH when powering the VL35 from your starter battery. Set it to LOW when powered by a larger battery bank or more robust power source.
Power Inputs
The VL35 ProS refrigerator can be powered from a 120 Volt AC source, or from a 12 Volt DC source. AC and DC power inputs are located below the control panel on the front along with a couple USB outputs.
An extra 12 Volt DC power input is located on the back in case you want to conceal the cord. I love this bonus feature.
Quiet Operation
The SECOP compressor is very quiet, even while running at max power.
Conclusion
The ICECO VL35 Pro and Power Bank combo is a great choice if you need a reliable fridge (or freezer) for camping, RVing, road trips, living off the grid, or for a trip to the grocery store. It works well, uses little power, and is built to last. If you need a portable fridge setup that is easily transported, this one is worth thinking about!
See the full line of ICECO Portable 12 Volt Refrigerators
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