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Re: Norcold n180.3 discontinued
Thanks everyone for your input! It gives me options to look into. I may get used to the idea of using a two way fridge and purchase an affordable lifepo4 battery. I will try to update this group when I decide to go through with one of the options.
Re: Norcold n180.3 discontinued
You’re getting great advice here. Just a FYI, you can buy very lightweight solar panels. I am always looking at lighter weight gear and bought the 120w ACOPower folding tri-panel solar setup. I carry it for backup power if needed. My favorite feature, other than it’s simple to use, is that it weighs just under 8 pounds and fits under the rear seat on my 2017 320S. There are many more options to buy now than when I bought this. Good luck with your journey!
Re: Norcold n180.3 discontinued
While the N180.3 is no longer in production lots of RV/Boat Repair Parts site still have replacement part stock. So it still might be possible to give your yr-2014 new life.
It might also be possible to mount a small 3-Way like the SMAD 2.1 cuft (see Amazon) in the N180.3 space - - - some cabinet mods would be required.
SMAD 2.1
It might also be possible to mount a small 3-Way like the SMAD 2.1 cuft (see Amazon) in the N180.3 space - - - some cabinet mods would be required.
SMAD 2.1
Re: Norcold n180.3 discontinued
Who is telling you that "repair parts are no longer available?" Plenty of vendors still have parts. Depending on what exactly is happening with your fridge, it may be easier than you think.
Not saying any of these things are easy, but the parts are available, and the group here has a ton of info on "how to". I replaced my "gas valve" and thermistor a couple of years ago and hope to extend my 2017's 3 way fridge for a while. But, in the meantime, I also carry a small 12V fridge. After seeing how well the 12V portable fridge works, I won't miss the Norcold when it does finally give out. Even without "cooling", the Norcold box is a fairly decent "cooler" and storage area.
What do you think is wrong with your fridge?
Re: 2024 TAB 400 factory solar ?
On RV trader it's hard to know what packages the TAB 400s have. The dealer closest to me in Missouri has these prices:
400 Boondock: $41,270
400 Boondock Black Canyon: $42,825
400 Boondock Black Canyon 400ah Lithium: $49,200
No idea what people hare paying. Is it OK to start a thread with what people paid?
400 Boondock: $41,270
400 Boondock Black Canyon: $42,825
400 Boondock Black Canyon 400ah Lithium: $49,200
No idea what people hare paying. Is it OK to start a thread with what people paid?
Re: Norcold n180.3 discontinued
You may find the DC refrigerator is actually better than the older absorption refrigerator. If you can move around inside the trailer, it is level enough. You may operate the refrigerator en route, to include while refueling as there is no open flame. On max cold, they use about 3 to 4amp per hour; significantly less power than a 3-way on electric power. Plus, you won't be on max cold, even storing ice cream. They cool significantly faster. Preparing for a trip takes 2 hours rather than over night to cool down. The only advantage of the absorption refrigerator is the ability, in some conditions, to use propane for cooling.
If you want a to replace or repair the old one, Norcold doesn't produce them any more, but there are still parts in the supply chain. That was a popular refrigerator in boats, slid-in campers and small trailers. Unless it is an electric part, most of the service is the "remove, clean, replace and adjust" kind of service. A qualified repair person will have the skills for the repair and the contacts for the parts.
If you want a to replace or repair the old one, Norcold doesn't produce them any more, but there are still parts in the supply chain. That was a popular refrigerator in boats, slid-in campers and small trailers. Unless it is an electric part, most of the service is the "remove, clean, replace and adjust" kind of service. A qualified repair person will have the skills for the repair and the contacts for the parts.
Re: Norcold n180.3 discontinued
I have been successfully using a 100W Renogy suitcase, but just purchased a 200W Vevor from Home Depot. I haven't had the chance to use it yet, but am looking forward to the shorter charging time and more compact size and weight.Alfiris2 said:I am wondering what 200w solar suitcase you have.
If you haven't already, you may want to research the differences between a 3-way absorption fridge compared to a 12V compressor model. My wife was very frustrated with the 3-way that came in our T@B. Too many times it either froze things like eggs and lettuce or had us questioning if meats were staying at food safe temperatures. The absorption fridge was too dependent on ambient temperatures where our compressor model holds steady regardless of the outside or cabin temperature. Another plus is that it can be run while in transit without the dangers of traveling with propane on or the fear of draining the battery.
Re: Norcold n180.3 discontinued
A 100 amp hour LiFePO4 can be bought for less than $300. A 200W solar suitcase for less than $200. The chest type fridge we installed on a slide sells for less than $300. We also bought a small, light 700W propane generator for $250 to charge the battery when solar is not keeping up, but have only used it a few time in nearly 30K miles of T@Bing. So, a little over $1000 for limitless use of a 12V fridge.Alfiris2 said:I just don’t see how I could make a 2 way work without spending a lot of money on rooftop solar panels and a lithium battery.
How does that compare to the cost of the 3-way replacements you've considered?
Re: Norcold n180.3 discontinued
Re: 2024 TAB 400 factory solar ?
Hi,
Here is a link which shows what's included:
TAB 400 Teardrop Campers – The Largest Teardrop Camper (nucamprv.com)
The Convenience Package has:
If you upgrade to Lithium Battery Package you get:
If you upgrade to Black Canyon you get:
For the Convenience package level and the 1,200 inverter; the WFCO would charge your batteries. An inverter does not charge your batteries but converts 12V to 110 AC power.
The AIMS inverter has a built in transfer switch to automatically supply 110V power to the one outlet. I would hope all the outlets would power with the Multiplus (but I'm not sure)
If you ROM out the cost of components, . 4 Battle born approx. $3200; Multiplus : $1200; say $300 for wiring and fuzing, 20- 25 hours to install at $75/ hr. plus profit To me the $7000 is not that far off. One could debate the labor numbers..but $7K is not that far off IMO.
(Others will chime in) but IMO if you are comfortable doing this work you could install that capability (using Battleborn) and save maybe 25-30%. Having the pictures in Paul's post almost does the design work for you. You could use other brand batteries and save even more. I installed a similar system my TAB 320 for 1/2 the cost NuCamp charges for the TAB 320 package. The intangible factor is I know that quality of the install and the selection of fuses and wiring is beyond just the minimum. You could also do more than just one outlet for the inverter. Best wishes.
Here is a link which shows what's included:
TAB 400 Teardrop Campers – The Largest Teardrop Camper (nucamprv.com)
The Convenience Package has:
- 310-watt Solar Panel
- External Solar Port
- Intelligent Battery Detection Converter
- 100 Ah 12-volt Lithium Battery
- 1,200-watt Power Inverter
- Bluetooth® Battery Monitor Smartshunt
If you upgrade to Lithium Battery Package you get:
- 400 Ah 12-volt Lithium Battery Bank w/ Internal Heat
- 3,000-watt MultiPlus Inverter/Charger
If you upgrade to Black Canyon you get:
- Additional 310-watt Solar Panel (total of 620 watts)
- Holding Tank Heaters
- Under-Glow Lights
For the Convenience package level and the 1,200 inverter; the WFCO would charge your batteries. An inverter does not charge your batteries but converts 12V to 110 AC power.
The AIMS inverter has a built in transfer switch to automatically supply 110V power to the one outlet. I would hope all the outlets would power with the Multiplus (but I'm not sure)
If you ROM out the cost of components, . 4 Battle born approx. $3200; Multiplus : $1200; say $300 for wiring and fuzing, 20- 25 hours to install at $75/ hr. plus profit To me the $7000 is not that far off. One could debate the labor numbers..but $7K is not that far off IMO.
(Others will chime in) but IMO if you are comfortable doing this work you could install that capability (using Battleborn) and save maybe 25-30%. Having the pictures in Paul's post almost does the design work for you. You could use other brand batteries and save even more. I installed a similar system my TAB 320 for 1/2 the cost NuCamp charges for the TAB 320 package. The intangible factor is I know that quality of the install and the selection of fuses and wiring is beyond just the minimum. You could also do more than just one outlet for the inverter. Best wishes.