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Old 12-16-2012, 12:19 PM   #1
Irlpguy
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Montana AC Quiet Cool System

I think there may have been some discussion on this topic before however I could not track it down. I am not sure what year Montana went to the "Quiet Cool System" but it was in the 2012's. It is certainly something the new 2013 owners should check and anyone else who might have this system and are experiencing poor AC operation.

The AC uses two return air ducts located in the living area which supply return air to the AC unit, having been advised of a possible problem I decided to check mine out and here is what I found after removing each vent cover.

The pictures were taken with my Iphone4 and show the blocked duct leading from each vent to the AC unit. One picture from each side.

There is no way the AC can get sufficient air to operate properly and explains why mine was not half what I thought it should have been last March in Arizona.

This is yet another example of absolutely crappy workmanship and materials used in the construction of the Montana. I feel lucky to have discovered this prior to the end of my warranty period, but if I had not I would raise such a stink over this it would be heard all the way to Indiana. Yet another thing to be fixed before I can go away and enjoy my very expensive Montana.

I encourage all who have not checked their vents to do so, you may be surprised at what you find.




 
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Old 12-16-2012, 12:35 PM   #2
exav8tr
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If you're not happy with it, why not return it. I was always told the Montana was a middle of the road fiver. I guess expensive is relative.
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Old 12-16-2012, 01:19 PM   #3
Irlpguy
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exav8tr wrote:
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If you're not happy with it, why not return it. I was always told the Montana was a middle of the road fiver. I guess expensive is relative.
I suppose you are right exav8tr, expensive is relative. Although for some of us the Montana was/is an expensive purchase. Regardless, I really want to thank you for your very sage advise.
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Old 12-16-2012, 01:44 PM   #4
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Our 2012 3585SA does not have such a system.
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Old 12-16-2012, 03:01 PM   #5
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One thing I have discovered after a few years on this forum, is that there are those who are happy with their purchase (we have had two excellent Montana's to date) and their are those who seem to be not so happy with their purchase and tend to use the forum as a sounding board for their dissatisfaction. I do not recall any previous posts regarding this issue and have to surmise that it is an isolated problem that any reputable dealer should be able to remedy. I understand your being upset with the issue and totally agree that it should be remedied by Keystone in conjunction with your dealer. Furthermore, I appreciate the heads-up towards any potential problem, but to date, our AC system, which I do not believe is the "quiet cool system", but I must admit that I do not know, has not presented us with any problems. I can only hope and believe that at some point in the future that you can attain the same degree of satisfaction that we have had with our two "very expensive Montana's".
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Old 12-16-2012, 03:19 PM   #6
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Good post Bingo.
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Old 12-16-2012, 03:30 PM   #7
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Old 12-16-2012, 04:14 PM   #8
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Old 12-16-2012, 11:48 PM   #9
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Do you think the ducts were crushed at the factory or are they collapsing from air flow?
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Old 12-17-2012, 12:03 AM   #10
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We have the quiet cool system in our 2013 3750 and will look at the system to assure it is working properly. As Bingo said, as long as RVs are built there will be issues that need to be addressed. With a good dealer, my problmes with my Montana will become the dealers problem. On my 3rd Montana, I have been impressed with the quality and definitely don't sucribe to some of the negative comments about the Montana quality.
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Old 12-17-2012, 12:40 AM   #11
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Funny thing,

If you go to other forums, you will find similar posts about the KZ Escalade, Landmark, Presidential Suites, and others (ad nauseum).

There just "ain't no such thing" as a perfect RV.
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Old 12-17-2012, 02:27 AM   #12
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Old 12-17-2012, 02:40 AM   #13
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Good post Bingo. We do not have that system.
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Old 12-17-2012, 04:33 AM   #14
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I know that the problem is not unique to Montana. There have been several post on the SOB Forum I'm on that have had the same exact problem and posted almost idential photos. I don't recall what the solution was. Guess we lucky and haven't had a probem with ours.
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Old 12-17-2012, 09:54 AM   #15
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Thanks for the heads up. We have the 2013 Big Sky and will take a look. Why am I not surprised that you have this proplem. BTW do not care what other brand has the problem. We do not have another brand. Does not not make me feel any better that other brands do. Also..this thing was expensive for me..
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Old 12-17-2012, 10:24 AM   #16
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NCFischers wrote:
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Do you think the ducts were crushed at the factory or are they collapsing from air flow?
These “ducts” and I use the word loosely, are a channel created by the insulation in the roof and the ceiling in the unit, the material is like a heavy aluminum foil, it is not metal at all. One would assume this would be fastened to the channel area created for the duct in some manner, however it is not, which allows it to significantly restrict the flow of air. The pictures were taken with the AC off, when I turned it on there was no change in the restriction that I could see.

My AC still works and does get some air, but not what it would get if these were clear and open thus reducing the efficiency.

Lasater, I am not looking for perfection, I however expect reasonable quality control and workmanship, if that were present at “all” times there would be fewer problems.

When I joined these forums, I went back and read hundreds of posts, there were a myriad of issues put forward and discussed, there have been a very large number of people that have addressed quality control and workmanship. Because someone else had brought forward an issue, I and others have been able to identify the same problem on our own units, that is why I joined the MOC, that is why I posted the pictures and alert to the problem I have with my AC. It very well may be isolated considering the amount of units made, however you may not even be aware of it unless alerted.

At some point Bingo I also hope to be completely satisfied with my Montana, as well as that of my dealer and Keystone’s response to my problems. I am not there yet, and continue to find problems that I did not expect when I purchased what I hoped would be my final travel home.

I really thought the MOC forums, among many other things, was a place where we could identify problems we encounter with our Montana’s, in the hope it might alert others to a possible problem they might not realize they have. I have had SOB's and don’t care about them, my interest now is in my Montana and getting as much enjoyment out of it as possible, for as long as possible.

Richfaa, I went looking for this problem because I had been informed by another Montana owner that he had the problem with his AC. In spite of the problems I was/am sold on my Montana which I certainly consider to be an expensive investment.




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Old 12-17-2012, 10:51 AM   #17
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Well said Ed. If you didn't voice your thoughts, none of us would know what the problems are. ONe of the best parts of this forum is that everyone says what the problems are, and what possible fixes there are for them. None of these problems makes Keystone an "inferior" company, and doesn't mean they have shoddy workmanship. Like was mentioned, there are always things that go wrong, but of course, that even applies to cars and homes. You'll get it fixed and then be satisfied with the results. Good luck, and keep us all posted please.
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Old 12-17-2012, 11:10 AM   #18
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Maybe that's why they call it the "Quiet Cool System"...sorry, just trying to insert some levity
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Old 12-17-2012, 11:39 AM   #19
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Thank you flymutt, sometimes we need some levity to lighten things up, my take was that the AC in my unit stood for "almost cool".
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Old 12-17-2012, 11:40 AM   #20
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Where are the return air intake registers located?
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