TAB 400 Fridge Selection

pthomas745

Can anyone in this thread give me:

The Model Number of the 3 way fridge?  Is it the Norcold 3104? (Apparently replaced by the 4104?)

And, the Model Number of the 2 way fridge?  I think it is the Isotherm CR65EL?

NorCalMike

Here are the three options per nuCamp Support Team:

TAB 400 STANDARD 2 WAY Fridge

                                  Make: Isotherm

                                  Model: C065RBBAB71113AA   CR65EL

                                  Size: 2.3 cu ft.

 

*TAB 400 OPTIONAL 3 WAY Fridge 

                                 Make: Norcold

                                 Model: N3104-U131L145L31A

                                 Size: 3.7 cu ft. of interior storage

 

TAB 400 Solo STANDARD 2 WAY Fridge

                                Make: Isotherm

                                Model: C130RBUAB71113AA    CR130EL

                                Size:  4.6 cu ft.

TomCanada

Our 2021 Tab 400 we received 3 weeks ago has a different 3-way model.  It's the N4104-U131L145L52X.

AirBoss

I read a short while back that Norcold had discontinued the 3100 series recently.

Curious if there are deltas between them?

TomCanada

I was just looking at that - without digging into the specs, it looks like they have the same dimensions (inside and out) as well as current draw.  So not sure what changed..

TNOutback

Many, many years of camping in trailers with 3-way refrigerators, and now 1 1/2 years in the 400 with the 2-way refrigerator.  I’ll never go back to a 3-way.  We’ve found the 2-way to be deceptively large enough for most all our fresh or refrigerated foods.  It is extremely efficient when boondocking.  On longer 4 to 5+ day trips we will take either a small Yeti or larger RTIC cooler, mostly for beverages.  The unit is quiet and the cycling doesn’t bother our sleep.  It gets cold quickly and can freeze everything in there if you aren’t careful.  The only negative for me is that it vents the warm air into the cabin, and I wish it was vented outside - at least when it is warmer weather and we don’t need heat in the cabin.

bergger

Current 400 comes with the 4104 3 way fridge.  Its what our 2021 has and so far its been great over the past year of use.  A couple of other threads on the merits of both.  It's really preference.  I love it for boon docking using propane over my battery.  Gets nice and cold, more room and at eye level.  On longer trips we do supplement it with our Iceco 45 12v fridge which is kept in the truck.  

Sharon_is_SAM

I wonder if nuCamp will offer that larger 2 way frig in the 2022 non-solo models.  I think it would check a lot of boxes for volume and ease of access like the current 3 way.

Denny16

A while back Sharon, I did a search for a larger, 3.x CF two-way compressor fridge, found one model that might work in the wardrobe space, but a new facing would be required, as it was an inch or two narrower and 4-8 inches less top to bottom. Personally, I prefer to have the extra storage area withnthe wardrobe, and the smaller 2.3 CF fridge is more than large enough for a 4-day trip. Cheers

johnfconway

Denny16 said:

A while back Sharon, I did a search for a larger, 3.x CF two-way compressor fridge, found one model that might work in the wardrobe space, but a new facing would be required, as it was an inch or two narrower and 4-8 inches less top to bottom. Personally, I prefer to have the extra storage area withnthe wardrobe, and the smaller 2.3 CF fridge is more than large enough for a 4-day trip. Cheers

Isotherm Freeline 115 is a nearly perfect fit for the hole left by 3-way removal. Likely no need for futzing.

https://www.indelwebastomarine.com/int/products/fridges-freezers/cruise-marine-refrigerators/large-fridges-90-160-l/freeline-115-elegance/

Other than Brad in NC, this thread will make you believe that 170 year old technology is still the cat's $%^. In many situations it is not, and it is dangerous. There are a lot of threads on this topic that support, with data, the 3-way as a liability in climatic conditions with sustainable heat.

Horigan

The model number of my 2019 400 2-way Norcold frig is NR751BB.

Blueespy

GrandmasKid said:

 I really do appreciate all the comments on this thread. Our new 2021 400 BD is replacing a T@B Outback that was crushed by a huge oak tree that wind from leftover Hurricane Zita pushed over. The same tree also got our bedroom and the one below it. On the Outback we used a themometer  to monitor the refrigerator while driving. We really struggled with keeping the refrigerator cool enough on 12 volt. We have a larger more tow worthy vehicle than we had for the Outback so I'm hopeful we won't have as much problem cooling. Here is the thermometer we used to monitor:

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B004QJVU78/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

We have a 2019 t@b 400 bdl with the three way fridge.  Never had an issue using a Jeep Grand Cherokee as the tow vehicle.  Issues began when we switched to a 2020 Ford F150 5.0.  On our first trip we drove for about an hour and stopped for gas.  Checking the interior I see a flashing error code 7 on the fridge.  This means inadequate 12v power.  I was confused and so were several techs over the months following.  Eventually a good google search uncovered the issue was with the Ford seven pin.  Basically, the Ford computer was not providing adequate power through the seven pin to keep the t@b batteries charge and thus power the fridge.  In fact, my backup camera that was powered via a connection with a rear light wouldn't power on.  Yes, the rear lights worked but the camera wouldn't.  The answer was a DC to DC converter.  Basically we ran a power wire from the battery (with a fuse and on/off switch) through the Ford to the bumper where we attached a Harris plug.  We installed the DC to DC in the front tub on the t@b and ran wires from it to the small connection box on the frame, driver's side, right under where the cool cat sat.  We then ran wires from the DC to DC along the normal seven pin power cable from the t@b, attached another Harris plug.  So now, when I connect our seven pin to the truck, I also attach the two Harris connectors.  I make sure the on/off from the battery is on and my light switch is on.  The DC to DC immediately powers up and keeps our batteries fully charged while driving.  I know all of this sounds extremely complicated and at first I thought no way.  But, I took the plunge, and when my son was visiting, we tackled the install.  Took us about 90-mins and most of that was due to the pin setting on the DC to DC.  What the manual said to set it to wasn't working, so it was a bit of trial and error but now all is good.