A single-zone 12V fridge holds the whole box at one temperature: all fridge or all freezer. A dual-zone fridge splits the box into two compartments you set separately, so frozen food and cold drinks can travel in one unit. ICECO makes both kinds in its APL (aluminum) and VL Pro (steel) ranges. This guide explains how ICECO's dual-zone models work, who actually needs one, and which models are which, using ICECO's published specifications.
How dual zone works on an ICECO fridge
Every ICECO dual-zone fridge in the APL and VL Pro ranges cools both compartments from a single SECOP compressor. The control panel (and the ICECO app, on models that have it) gives each compartment its own set point. ICECO uses three layouts:
- Fixed split, one lid. The APL35 and the Jeep APL35 are divided into a 27 L main compartment and an 8 L side compartment, each set anywhere from -4°F to 68°F. ICECO's manual shows how to switch either compartment off from the control panel and run the fridge as a single zone.
- Removable divider, one lid. The APL55 (55 L) and the VL45ProD (42.5 L) use a partition you can take out. With it in, you have two zones; with it out, one large fridge or freezer.
- Two compartments, two lids. The VL75ProD (75 L) and VL90ProD (90 L) have two separate compartments, each under its own lid, each set from 0°F to 50°F. ICECO confirms the zones are controlled independently, and either zone can be shut off when you only need half the space.
Two lids have a practical benefit: opening the fridge side to grab a drink does not let warm air into the freezer side.
Two newer ICECO models add to these layouts. The 21 qt GO20 has a removable partition, which makes it the smallest dual zone ICECO we carry (see ICECO GO20 explained), and the 63 qt VL60D has two compartments under two lids, each set from 0°F to 50°F. The wheeled JP40 Pro and JP50 Pro are single zone; JP40 Pro vs JP50 Pro compares them.
Which ICECO models are single zone and which are dual zone
| Model | Zones | Capacity | Temp range | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| APL20 | Single | 21 qt / 20 L | -4°F to 68°F | 22.9 lb |
| VL35ProS | Single | 37 qt / 35 L | 0°F to 50°F | 48.7 lb |
| VL45ProS | Single | 47.5 qt / 45 L | 0°F to 50°F | 52.2 lb |
| VL60ProS | Single | 63 qt / 60 L | 0°F to 50°F | 59.0 lb |
| APL35 / Jeep APL35 | Dual (27 L + 8 L) | 37 qt / 35 L | -4°F to 68°F | 32 lb |
| VL45ProD | Dual, removable partition | 45 qt / 42.5 L | 0°F to 50°F | 53.4 lb |
| APL55 | Dual, removable divider | 58 qt / 55 L | -4°F to 68°F | 63.2 lb |
| VL75ProD | Dual, two lids | 79 qt / 75 L | 0°F to 50°F | 69.6 lb |
| VL90ProD | Dual, two lids | 95 qt / 90 L | 0°F to 50°F | 75.1 lb |
A simple naming rule helps in the VL Pro range: a model ending in S (VL35ProS, VL45ProS, VL60ProS) is single zone, and one ending in D (VL45ProD, VL75ProD, VL90ProD) is dual zone. In the APL range, the APL20 is single zone and the APL35 and APL55 are dual zone.
Outside those two ranges, ICECO's front-door BF65 and BF86 RV and truck fridges are convertible: they run as a fridge with a small freezer compartment (8.2 L on the BF65, 12.5 L on the BF86) or as one compartment. The VL45PLUS and the GOPACK12 backpack fridge are single zone.
Who needs dual zone
Dual zone earns its place when you want frozen and chilled food at the same time and have room for only one fridge. Common cases:
- Longer trips without resupply. Frozen meat in one zone thaws on your schedule while the other zone keeps produce and dairy at fridge temperature.
- Anglers and hunters. Keep the catch or game frozen, separate from lunch.
- Van and truck camper builds with no built-in fridge. One dual-zone unit replaces a fridge plus a freezer and keeps one power draw, not two.
- Ice on demand. A small freezer zone holds ice packs or ice trays for drinks.
Who is better off with single zone
- Weekenders who only need cold drinks and food. A single-zone fridge gives you the whole box as one space with no divider in the way.
- RVs that already have a fridge. If the trailer's built-in fridge handles daily food, a single-zone portable set as a freezer adds frozen capacity, or a single-zone portable set as a fridge adds drinks space.
- Anyone who wants the most usable space for the size. At 45 L, the single-zone VL45ProS gives 45 L in one compartment, while the dual-zone VL45ProD in the same 28.1 x 15.9 x 18.1 in cabinet lists 42.5 L split across two.
- Two-fridge setups. You can run two single-zone fridges, one as a fridge and one as a freezer, so each can be moved or switched off on its own.
Power: does dual zone use more?
A freezer zone takes more energy to hold than a fridge zone, so how you set it matters more than how many zones the fridge has. ICECO publishes laboratory figures per model, and notes that actual consumption depends on real conditions; it does not state the ambient temperature or set point. Some examples:
- APL35 (dual, 35 L): 0.381 kWh/24h = 381 Wh a day, about 15.9 W average.
- VL35ProS (single, 35 L): 0.430 kWh/24h = 430 Wh a day, about 17.9 W.
- VL75ProD (dual, 75 L): 0.636 kWh/24h = 636 Wh a day, about 26.5 W. ICECO adds that in Max mode at 0°F it measured around 0.805 kWh/24h.
Battery runtime is usable Wh divided by average watts. A 100Ah LiFePO4 battery gives about 1,152 usable Wh (100 x 12.8 V x 0.9): roughly 72 hours on the APL35, 64 hours on the VL35ProS and 43 hours on the VL75ProD at ICECO's figures. A 100Ah AGM battery gives about 600 usable Wh (100 x 12 V x 0.5), roughly half those times. Real use rises in hot weather, with frequent lid openings, with a warm load and with a lower set point. Shutting off one zone on an APL35, VL75ProD or VL90ProD when you do not need it is the simplest way to save power. Our RV solar and battery calculator and RV solar panel buying guide help size the rest of the system.
Quick picks
- Lightest dual zone we carry: GO20 at 27.5 lb (21 qt); at 37 qt, the APL35 at 32 lb.
- Dual zone in a compact steel cabinet: VL45ProD.
- Largest single-zone APL or VL Pro: VL60ProS, 60 L.
- Largest dual zone: VL90ProD, 90 L, two lids.
Compare the whole range in the ICECO collection, see fridge, cover and slide kits on the ICECO bundles page, or read the ICECO 12V fridge buying guide. Found it cheaper? We'll beat it.
FAQ
Can a dual-zone ICECO run as a single zone?
Yes. The APL55 and VL45ProD have a removable divider, the APL35 lets you switch one compartment off, and the VL75ProD and VL90ProD let you shut off either zone.
Can both zones be freezers?
Each zone has its own set point anywhere in the model's range, so on the two-lid VL75ProD and VL90ProD you can run fridge plus freezer, two fridges or two freezers.
Is the VL45ProS or the VL45ProD bigger inside?
Our listings show the single-zone VL45ProS at 45 L and the dual-zone VL45ProD at 42.5 L, in the same exterior size.
Which is the smallest ICECO dual zone you carry?
The GO20, at 21 qt (20 L) with a removable partition. In the APL and VL Pro ranges it is the APL35 and Jeep APL35, at 37 qt (35 L).
More ICECO guides: ICECO vs BODEGACOOLER, ICECO vs Alpicool, app setup and battery protection settings.