2023 tab 400 isotherm refrigerator

Philip

My refrigerator will cool to 5c.the manual states it will cool to 5c
all fridges should cool below 4c,40f, to keep food fresh
this is at a setting of 7 ,so max cooling

DaveC

Same issue here. Setting must be on 6-7(Max) to get to 40F.

Richard_R

Same with mine. Even at max setting, it doesn't like to always stay at 40F.

manyman297

My smaller isotherm (under the stove) has had issues cooling (documented it somewhere on this forum). If outside temps are high 80s or higher it starts to struggle. The problem is the interior temps of the camper. It can be controlled if you’re on site but if you have excursions planned and nobody is around and the trailer is locked up, the interior temps just get too hot and the fridge struggles even with the rooftop vent running with a window open.  

DaveC

Interior temp is not the problem in my case. Overnight temps in trailer were in the 60's for 4 nights and 6-7 settings still required to maintain 40F. Could be a thermostat issue. Can the thermostat be tested/adjusted?
My dealer is 300 miles away, so that is not an option.

dsfdogs

I just completed 19 nights with my '23 400 and the Isotherm, outside temps from mid 90's to 50's and didn't have any troubles as mentioned above...I think it was set at 5 and maintained 40F, both in transit and while hooked to shore power. When I've turned temp gauge to 7, it's cooled to low 30's. 

When it's in the locked position, vs storage, are you able to open the door 1/8" by any chance? Meaning the latch isn't tight enough? When I first got mine last fall, this was my problem. The freezer built up frost fast and water leaked out in transit. The magnetic seal on the door wasn't really sealing well and could open 1/8". I had to partially pull out the fridge, remove the upper front metal grate piece and adjust the latch piece so it would close tightly. I also added velcro at the bottom to ensure it stays closed tight in transit. Just a thought-maybe air is getting into the fridge to warm it.

DaveC

Debbie, thanks for the input.  My first trip the slide was in storage position...Door came open in transit, picked up the mess and moved the latch to lock.  After that the door seemed tight and magnetic seals were tight.  Might just be my thermostat is set wrong.  I get 40F between 6-7.  Only other thing I can think of is that when the door came open it stuck on the star gazer window frame and may have twisted the door. Will try to look for leaks but is seem tight.

DaveC

I contacted NuCamp, but they just said check the vent/lock setting, pre ool food, etc. (did all that, no change). I spoke to Isotherm and they suggested removing the drip tray (only needed during defrost) to improve circulation of cold air from the freezer to the fridge.  There is no thermostat adjustment. Only other suggestion is lack of cooling air in the cabinet.  My 2023 400 is now is storage, so I can't test it.  If anyone with the cooling issue can remove the drip tray, let me know.

DaveC

Problem solved.. I removed the drip tray and got below 40f on setting 3, before it was 7.  Interior trailer temp was in low 80s.  Thanks to Mike at Isotherm.

Binghi

I removed the freezer door as well and that seemed to help.

manyman297

@DaveC Thanks for the tip. I have the smaller Isotherm under the stove and have had issues once exterior temps hit the high 80s and 90s. The fridge will constantly run and struggle to maintain 40f. We’ve never had spoiled food but have come close. Gonna give this a shot on our next trip.

Philip

I purchased a small fan from Amazon that operates on 2 d cells. It is a cube about 2.5” square.placed at bottom of fridge to circulate air in the fridge. Now the fridge can get to mid 30f easily. The problem is the temperature probe is at the coldest place in the fridge, and cannot be relocated like normal rv fridges.
I have used this on other trailer fridges with great results.

Philip

thanks to the post on removing the isotherm fridge defrosting tray. fridge cools nice now to under 40f

Richard_R

@Philip that helped me too. What probably helped quite a lot more was discovering the vent-lock latch. I had it on vent for the first couple trips — doh! I can easily maintain temps in the 30s now, although the temp jumps up 5-6 deg when there’s a lot of opening and closing like at mealtimes. And then it takes quite a while to cool back down. 

Broda

We have a 2025 TAB 400 with the Isotherm Cruise 130 refrigerator (compressor style). On our maiden trip the refer gave us grief (freezing up, water dripping) until I researched and found (like others have mentioned) the Vent/Lock side, behind the outside latch up on the trim. Yup, sure enough that slide was in the Vent position - used when not camping to help ventilate the refer. Once I slid that to the left (Lock position) all is well, dial setting 4. Outside temp low 80s day upper 50s night.  Thanks all for the help.

Cheryl13

Tab community comes through again!  We have a 2023 400 that we bought barely used We are nearing the end of a 10 week road trip. The whole time our fridge has not been working well. I defrost ed it after a month and it was better but still just didn’t preserve food very well. We were starting to look for a ‘new’ friidge.   The tray was still in there!  Took it out last night and temp is already better. Thank you!!!

Binghi

I took the door off the little freezer compartment. That helped as well.