How does the 2 Way Norcold in T@B 400 perform on hot days?

cyclebloke

Hi one and all, I am new here and in the process of ordering a new T@B 400 Boondock Lite.  For those who have a T@B 400 with the Norcold 2 way refrigerator, how does it perform on hot days?   In northern Michigan I routinely deal with humid and 90 - 95 temps.  I've not had great luck with smaller  2 way propane/120v refrigerators on hot days so I was wondering how the Norcold works in those conditions?  I have tried the search function but wasn't able to answer my question or missed the answer if it's out there, so I appologize in advance if its a redundant question.

NorthIsUp

I recently camped (July) in 105 degree weather in California's Central Valley. The fridge was cold. No problems there at all.  I couldn't go outside to cook or anything due to the heat, but the a/c and fridge were great.
I do have to set it between 4 and the maximum of 5 to keep it below 40, but it worked, as expected, for 4 days. 

atlasb

No Problem with the 2 way in the 400.  camped in Oklahoma this summer and was in upper 90's.  The 2 way in the 400 has a compressor and the 3 way's were a evaporation type fridge as I under stand it.  Love our 400!

cyclebloke

Thanks for the comments on the Norcold 2 way refer.  From what I understand it has the Danfoss compressor and is built to perform better in hotter conditions.  It's nice to hear that it actually does and isn't just marketing.  

Jilong

@cyclebloke My 2019 400 Norcold fridge worked well with the outside temperature in the high 90s and no shade at a campground in Kentucky. Our frozen food stayed frozen at the 5 setting. We were on shore power for that trip though, so I don't know how long the fridge could operate at that setting while boondocking. Note that the 2-way fridge in my 400 is 12VDC/120VAC and doesn't use the propane.

Gia

We’re wondering how well this fridge works on DC only. We really want to Boondock for several days at a time. How well does the battery keep up, especially without sunshine for solar panels?

N7SHG_Ham

I don't know the temp during this test, but this video shows days on battery alone. https://youtu.be/saNx9s-gDWY

Verna

I have been camping without electricity (dispersed camping g without electricity) since December 6th, 2018 (except for 4 days of tight RV Park camping) and I can honestly say that I am pleasantly surprised and satisfied with the 2-way fridge. It stays a rather constant temp, food and wine....I mean drinks....stay cold. I am very satisfied with it. 

N7SHG_Ham

@Verna three way or two way? You have a 400, correct?

Verna

Two way, sorry typo. 

I’ve actually been living in my T@B 400 since late July and I’m extremely happy with the 2-way. I had electricity mostly through Dec 6, 2018, and only 4 days of electricity since then.

I do like this new breed of 2-way (12V and 110V) fridge. It’s definitely not like the former two way in the clamshell 320’s. Mine is not an energy hog, it keeps a relatively even temp, and there is more room than meets the eye. 

Gia

Thanks so much for the video and feedback! That’s exactly what we wanted to know. We ordered a T@B 400 with small fridge and were second quessing our decision...so we get to keep the closet! 

DenisP

Just got back from a Florida trip with unusually hot temps mid 80s and our 2018 400 with two way fridge worked great.  I could not imagine not having the closet.  We added three shelves and the storage is perfect for my DW and myself for both long and short trips. 

Gia

DenisP, that’s great to hear! Did you always have electric hookup or did it run on DC?

DenisP

Both, but mostly with hookups.  I have factory solar panels which do a great job keeping the batteries topped off.  My 400's two way refrigerator is so much more efficient than my previous R-Pod's three way refrigerator on 12 volt.

kaylevine1

I find here in Southern Louisiana when it is very hot n muggy it needs to be set 4 1\2 to 5 but when cooler 4 is fine-I've had problem with things freezing when put just below the freezer area like eggs or fresh veggies-just a warning even on 4

klenger

Considering a T@B 400 upgrade and trying to find some more information regarding the refrigerator options.  Very little information on this available, and no mention of it what so ever on the nuCamp website.  

From what I can gather, the standard fridge is a 2.7 cu-ft 2-way (120 vac/ 12 vdc) compressor refrigerator and there is an optional 3-way (+ LP absorption fridge) that is somewhat larger but you loose the wardrobe space.

I think I would really like to have the 2-way compressor fridge as LP absorption refrigerators don't work well at high altitudes. 

Can anyone point me to some official information on these options?  I requested a brochure from nuCamp and all I got back was a dealer referral and the promise of more junk mail.

TNOutback

@klenger I bet some fine folks on this forum can give you specific model number for the 3-way, and the model for the AC/DC is the Norcold NR751BB.

klenger

N7SHG_Ham said:

I don't know the temp during this test, but this video shows days on battery alone. https://youtu.be/saNx9s-gDWY

 I watched that video and found that it leaves a lot of to be desired from a scientific point of view. 

(1) The device the man was using is just a simple volt meter calibrated to convert to % of charge.  Not the same as a real battery monitor. 

(2) No mention of the outdoor and/or indoor temperatures to determine the kind of loading placed on the fridge.

(3) No mention of what the fridge inside temperatures were at any time, so you have no idea of how well the fridge was actually performing.  

It seems to me that the recorded run times are way too optimistic.  Don't get me wrong, I want that fridge in my 400 should I buy one, but have no expectations of 4 days of battery life when running it. 

DenisP

Our 400 with the 2 way fridge has performed very well in 80+ degree temperatures and our factory solar will maintain the batteries indefinitely as long as there is moderate to full sun. The TV maintains the batteries while traveling with fridge on without issue as opposed to my former Camper with a 3 way fridge.  We are very happy with the fridge and couldn’t imagine doing without the closet. 

Verna

+2 with @DenisP. And I fulltime, so gives even more credence to the fact that the two-way with solar is great. 

N7SHG_Ham

+3, we are 1st season on 400 with 2 way, around 40 nights and no issue with fridge in keeping cold in warm temps. We also have the factory solar, and with that I feel you could go indefinitely.