3 way fridge or 12V only fridge in T@B

Denny16

Going going forward, I also will only consider using a DC compressor refirg. also. 
cheers

ReenieG

I haven't picked up my 2018 T@B 320S yet from the dealer but was told it has a 2-way fridge. It's used so I'm thinking they don't have an accurate spec sheet on it. Is that even an option for this model? It looks like from what I'm reading here, it's either a 12V only or a 3-way. Is that correct?

Denny16

@ReenieG  The two-way is basically a 12VDC fridge, some models have a AC input (two-way), but this goes through an AC/DC converter power supply (in the fridge) to feed the compressor system DC power.  Newer models have eliminated the 120VAC plug, and let the TaB WFCO power converters provide the fridge with 12VDC.  This saves weight and space, and the inefficient conversion of 120VAC back to DC to run the fridge.  This seems more efficient to me.

Our 2018 TaB400 has the Isotherm Cruise 65 AC/DC fridge, which is a Marine fridge application unit.  I plan to try disconnecting the AC plug, and see if it will still run on DC from the TaB WFCO converter, when it comes back from the shop.
cheers

Deb55

I've been completely satisfied with the 12v fridge in our 2018 T@B 400. I pre-chill it, then turn it to 1.5. All the food stays really cold, and anything in the freezer stays frozen. It's efficient and it works. 

VictoriaP

ReenieG said:

I haven't picked up my 2018 T@B 320S yet from the dealer but was told it has a 2-way fridge. It's used so I'm thinking they don't have an accurate spec sheet on it. Is that even an option for this model? It looks like from what I'm reading here, it's either a 12V only or a 3-way. Is that correct?

For 2018, the S model (inside kitchen + wet bath) had a 3 way fridge. The CS & CS-S models had a 2 way. The only ways a 2018 320s has a 2 way would have been a custom order or a later mod...either is theoretically possible. If you have pics of the interior, someone here may be able to tell you. Your exterior pic on your profile has the two vents to the right of the door that would indicate a 3 way was originally installed at the factory.

ReenieG

@VictoriaP the only interior pic I have of the front of the fridge has a cover over the controls. I guess it's probably a 3-way. Lucky me! Thank you

Denny16

Yes, if has controls on the front, then, you have a 3-way, poor sod. 
Another indication will be the vents on the side of the trailer.
cheers

jgram2

@ReenieG We have been very happy indeed with our 3 way; it consumes sips of LP and kept contents cold in hot and humid Iowa summers.

Denny16

Grand, glad the 3-way is working for you.  I do not like messing around with propane anything.  Looking to replace the gas stove top with an induction cook top.

Cheers

4ncar

I use both the 3 way in my 320s & a 12v compressor type (Indelb). Both work well,

jkjenn

Dutch061 said:

After owning 4 RV's, 3 of them with absorption refrigerators (1 was a 2017 TAB 320 S) and our current 2020 400 BDL with a 12 volt compressor refrigerator I can say this without hesitation. "I will never own another RV with an absorption refrigerator", there is simply no comparison to operation, efficiency (cold things stay cold), temperature doesn't' fluctuate with ambient temperature (no more frozen or warm things), temperature doesn't fluctuate while moving (no more wondering if the food is safe to eat after the temperature gets in the upper 50's). No hassles to light, no waiting for 24 hours to cool down; you simply set it and forget it.

It is like comparing a black and white TV to a current HD Color TV.

Take it for what it's worth.

Amen!! I don't miss wondering if my food will be spoiled when I reach the campground. I know how to manage my power consumption and can adjust as needed. I don't miss my Norcold fridge, at all!!!

DougH

@Dutch061 Me too. I have a little ICECO GO20 fridge freezer, after removing the Norcold.  Five minute cool down, can monitor on Bluetooth as I drive, cannot hear it, and it sips the electricity.  I'm on a trip now, but stopped by an RV dealer today to get a hands on look at a unit.  Nicer than expected, but it had an absorption fridge that I knew I'd rip out and replace with a Danfoss based unit.  Sales specialist chalked it up to the average camper using full hookups, and models to target boondockers price themselves out of the marketplace.  But he said the trend was gradually moving towards high efficiency 12V based models.

VictoriaP

Mixed opinion here: I like the idea of the consistency of the 12v. I do not at all like the battery consumption we’re seeing. It’s one thing on a bigger rig than a teadrop, one that can carry 400 watts of solar panels and 4 AGM or better yet, lithium batteries. It’s another on a Tab 320, with a mere 105 watts of solar and typically sold with a single group 24 battery. I mean, come on, we have people on the forum with 2 6v golf cart batteries getting just two days of use even with factory solar out of the newest Isotherm? That’s not the efficiency I’ve seen promised from this tech.

Obviously with enough solar and enough batteries, you can run one forever, and on a bigger rig I wouldn’t hesitate. I’m just not sure that it’s the ideal fridge for boondocking with a tiny trailer, where space for both panels and batteries are limited.

My 2¢ worth.

Denny16

I agree Victoria with the small 320, a small 1CF Dometic pull out type top loading chest compressor fridge, hind uses about 1.5-2 amp hrs, so a 100 amp battery would get yiur through the night, and a 100 watt portable solar panel or two, would get you recharged back during the day, whilst running the fridge.  Top loading on a pull out drawer seems more practical for the smaller TaB.
cheers

gulfarea

Back when I had a class A RV with those 1200 4 door refrigerators that were recalled for catching on fire I removed mine to replace it with a residential fridge and found burnt wood neare the chimmny! To make that much heat to make cooling just does not make sence to me. Never again ! Art

DougH

Last night when I went to bed I had 374Ah on the Renogy shunt based monitor I route everything through.  Used the Alde for only 20 minutes once (on propane), turned on the light a couple times, and ran the fridge at 35F all night, along with a thermostatic controlled exhaust fan if needed for the fridge (which only uses a few mA).  Got up this morning with 371Ah.  Now granted the ICECO is well insulated and it was in the 50s last night so it probably only had to briefly come on a few times.

But that's also a very small fridge (a quarter the size of the isotherm?).

I guess I'm saying if you use a small well insulated top loading Danfoss 12V you can run it forever. 

But you'll never have enough groceries?

runaway30

I am trying to determine which fridge 2way or 3 way to purchase with a new 400 boondock.

 I want to be as self sufficient as possible (not relying on hookups).

It seems like the consensus is the 3 way is the most efficient and preferred fridge.
Would that be correct?

Is it possible to switch between 12v and propane as the batteries allow?

And is there any guess on how long a 5 gal propane tank will power the fridge?

Thanks

Dutch061

@runaway30, after owning several RV's over the years that all had absorption (3 way refrigerators) and now having a 2020 400 BDL with the smaller compressor style refrigerator this is what I can say.

1. It works, set it and forget it
2. Doesn't get warm while traveling
3. I am no longer concerned about "is my food safe to eat after the refrigerator got warm while driving"
4. Solar panels will recharge the batteries in full sun in less than 3 hours if the refrigerator is the only thing that is running
5. Yes, it's smaller but can be packed full because there is a fan that circulates to cool air
6. Cools down in a couple of hours VS 24 hours
7. Works great and is safe to use if the camper isn't perfectly level
8. Freezer works great too

I will not ever buy another RV with an absorption refrigerator, there isn't any good reason to put up with some thing that has been replaced with much better technology. When I bought this camper, I thought about buying the larger absorption style refrigerator because that is all I had ever had, so glad I didn't. I have other issues with the 2020 400 but I am feeling pretty confident that NuCamp will take care of everything. The refrigerator certainly isn't an issue!

For what it's worth,

Brad

irvingj

FWIW, IMHO etc. etc. --

It all boils down to two things, in my opinion (and I've had both types of refrigerators):

A) Whether or not you'll be camping in high temperature --or high altitude-- environments;

whether or not you have sufficient electrical capacity. This would include:  a) basic battery capacity, and  b) recharging capacity.

If your basic needs are minimal, you don't expect to be in 100F+ temps, and your altitude isn't above 9000 feet -or so- an absorption type (propane/3-way) fridge will most likely work very well and is very inexpensive to operate.

For the rest of the possible situations, a 12V ("2-way") fridge might be a better choice.

We never had any issues with the absorption fridge in our old DM T@B -- we could even run it while traveling over the road!-- but our T@B's replacement, a 2015 Roadtrek SS Agile, came with a 12V (2-way) fridge, 4ea. 6V coach batteries, and 300W of solar panel.

With that amount of storage and that amount of recharging capacity, we've never had an issue running the fridge 24/7 while traveling, and outside temp has had no effect on the fridge's inside temps (just the amount of run time). Other than 100+ temps where I wanted the AC available, we've never had to "plug in" to shore power for an overnight stay -- and that's only happened once (so far).

+1 for a 2-way (12V) fridge.

Deb55

I found that our 12 v 2-way fridge in our 2018 T@B 400 works great. We have some solar (190 watt rooftop, with 2 6-volt AGMs)  to keep us charged up. But we only keep it at 1.5 or 2 on the setting, and the freezer is great, the fridge is cold, and I discovered that if you don't stuff a wine box in there, it can hold 4 or 5 days worth of food, easily! An ordinary cooler and a couple of bags of ice can handle the drinks and overflow. 

runaway30

Ok it sounds like the 12 v 2 way is the way to go for boondock camping.  Is the stock battery and solar adequate or do folks tend to change out the batteries?
Thank you for helping educate me on this topic.

pthomas745

The different models of fridge makes comparisons difficult.  The newer 12v fridges are much better on power consumption, but it still seems extra battery capacity is necessary.

Denny16

We have the 2018 TaB400 with the compressor 12VDC/2-way fridge, and a 200 a,p AGM battery with factory solar.  Thus setup runs the fridge 24-hrs a day, and during 3/4-day trips kept working, battery kept up and was recharged from evening run by mid day.  I also prefer having the wardrobe locker over the bigger (only 1 CF larger) three way fridge. 

 A TaB400 owner hear mentioned, his 3-way was poor performing, could not run it on 12VDC for very long, and while on 12 VDC had a hard time maintaining a minimum 40F during a typical summer day time temps.  

Cheers