Norcold N4000 problems

madtrout

Hi folks, I have a 2021 TAB400 Boondock with the Norcold 4000 3 way refrigerator. The refrigerator will cool on AC power but barely can keep up with ambient temperatures in propane mode. It's at the dealer now, and they are talking about installing a baffle. Has anyone else had this problem? It's been one problem after another since we took delivery in September. 

johnfconway

Where are you located?

Discussions on this topic have appeared in a few other threads. Those of us in hot climate zones during hot months and have measured performance with bluetooth enabled thermometers in 3-way fridges have found them to be a health hazard while on propane. Unless the dealer will "install a baffle" on his or her dime, you may be throwing good money after bad. If interested (and if a search on this topic yields little) I can find you links to prior discussions.

We blew it because there was plenty of other stuff to learn before dropping $30K+ on a trailer. Making sure a dealer in the hottest big city in the US would only offer trailers with functional refrigerators for the surrounding climate was not on our radar screen. But hey, it's "free enterprise" and "let the buyer beware".

bergger

Not sure where you're located and what climate you're using it it but we've got the same trailer same fridge and have had no issues with ours.  But we've only used it in Colorado, Wyoming and Montana.  

madtrout

Thanks for all of your feedback. We are located in Maryland. We have been having trouble with temperatures in the high 70's up. I too was unaware that such an expensive "toy" could be sold with such problematic utilities. My faith in my dealer's ability to solve this is quite low. I took the trailer in for the same complaint a couple of weeks ago and they could not duplicate the problem. When I took it in the second time the temps were in the high 70's and they did see the problem. What I cannot understand is why an absorption refrigerator which is hardly a new or exotic technology can be so difficult to fix.

Sharon_is_SAM

Can it be replaced by Norcold under warranty?

madtrout

Hi Sharon,  If the dealer cannot fix it to my satisfaction I will insist on a replacement. However, the idea of my dealer removing and installing a new unit fills me with dread. I can only imagine the collateral damage such a scenario would entail.

Sharon_is_SAM

Find another dealer!

madtrout

Good advice!

Sharon_is_SAM

If you do a forum search, you can identify dealers who have provided TaB owners with good service.  Buckley’s has been mentioned in Maryland.

madtrout

So after a week in the shop playing with baffles and fans, Norcold has decided to send a new refrigerator for my dealer to install. I can only hope the swap fixes the problem and my dealer can do it with without cosmetic damage to the TAB. More fun in the new world.

johnfconway

madtrout said:

So after a week in the shop playing with baffles and fans, Norcold has decided to send a new refrigerator for my dealer to install. I can only hope the swap fixes the problem and my dealer can do it with without cosmetic damage to the TAB. More fun in the new world.

Guess it will be next summer before you will know whether yours' was a bad unit or absorption is a bad idea in warmer changed climate. If it's the former, I wonder if Norcold publishes their "defects per thousand" manufacturing data for these units?

madtrout

Another update. Norcold only sent a new control board for the refrigerator. Surprise, surprise, that didn't fix it either. So they have finally agreed to replace the entire unit. This was only after I called Norcold directly. Fingers crossed. I'm taking the TAB in on Monday for the install.

bergger

Looking forward to seeing if the new unit is better.  Hopefully it is.  As I mentioned prior we've had good performance out of ours here in Colorado.  

madtrout

Hi folks, Here's an update of the new Norcold. Finally had a day in the 40's to test it out on propane, and the performance was spot on. The refrigerator cooled quickly to 32 degrees on high with the freezer at -4. Hopefully it will work this well in higher ambient temperatures.

madtrout

Hi folks. Here is the 6 month update on the new Norcold 3 way. On our trip to Colorado this summer, the Norcold performed well up to 85F degrees ambient cabin temperature. Please note that I installed 2 exhaust fans at the top of the back of the refrigerator. In these conditions our food stayed below 39 degrees in the daytime, and falling to 34-36 degrees at night. However, the Norcold performs badly at high elevations above 7,000 feet, with the propane system refusing to light at 10,000 feet. This is mentioned in their manual, so shame on me for not doing my research.  Towing on a long hot day across the Midwest, our ambient cabin temperature would rise to over 100F. At this point the refrigerator gives up and rises to over 50F degrees. The lesson learned here is to keep all critical items in a cooler when driving long distance on hot days. The Norcold is well suited to Spring and Fall camping, and we love the ability to run on propane in remote locations, but this is not a perfect solution for an RV refrigerator. 

jimcenname

@madtrout I live in my T@B400 but I spend most of my time in the southwest. In the 2 years I've owned my T@B I've towed it about 20,000 miles. My norcold fridge works well in propane mode, but I use propane mostly when I am towing. My cabin rarely gets above 95 degrees when I tow. I travel with all blinds closed. I installed heavily tinted window film (non-adhesive contact type film) on all windows. When I am out of my T@B I keep the blinds closed and the AC set at 83 degrees (i don't boondock). I installed an exhaust fan at the top of the fridge chimney early on because the factory installed exhaust fan failed within 6 months of purchase. In summary, my approach is to reduce the heat in the cabin and improve the ventilation in the rear of the fridge.